Chapter 276

Samuel Reynolds' hand trembled slightly as he gripped his phone. Silence stretched between both ends of the call.

"Fine. I'll do as you say."

Simon Reynolds' sinister chuckle came through the line. "Big brother, opportunities are fleeting. Miss this one, and the next won't be so easy."

"Understood."

After hanging up, Simon slammed his phone onto the desk, eyes glinting with cold fury.

Evelyn Sullivan, you brought this upon yourself.

At exactly 3 PM, Quincy Howard burst into the CEO's office, face pale.

"Ms. Sullivan! There's a madman downstairs with a bomb—he's demanding to see you!"

Evelyn shot to her feet, sending documents scattering. "What? Do we know who it is?"

"Not yet, but it's too dangerous! The police are on their way—"

"We can't wait!" Evelyn strode toward the elevator. "What about the reception?"

Quincy's voice shook. "He...he's taken the receptionist hostage..."

Evelyn froze mid-step, her gaze turning razor-sharp. "Why didn't you say so sooner?"

As the elevator doors opened, she saw an unexpected figure.

"Sophia? Get out of here now!"

Samuel suddenly lunged forward, glaring at Evelyn. "You're the bitch who turned my family against me!"

Sophia's eyes reddened with panic. "Dad! Do you realize what you're doing?!"

"Shut up!" Samuel tightened his grip on the hostage with a vicious grin. "Today, this woman pays the price!"

Evelyn noticed the hostage swaying unsteadily and spoke calmly, "Let her go. Take me instead."

Meanwhile, live footage of the scene was spreading like wildfire online.

At Sullivan Group's headquarters, Colin Keller stumbled into the conference room.

"Mr. Sullivan! MY is under attack!"

Ethan Sullivan's heart nearly stopped when he saw the familiar figure on screen. Grabbing his jacket, he bolted for the door—only to have his calls repeatedly rejected.

[Evelyn! Fall back immediately!]

[The bomb is real!]

[Answer me!]

His messages vanished into the void. On the surveillance feed, Evelyn was steadily approaching the madman.

"No tricks!" Samuel barked.

Evelyn's trained eyes instantly assessed the explosive device at his waist—powerful enough to level the entire floor.

"Relax," she slowly raised her hands. "I'm just an unarmed woman."