Chapter 278

The grand hall plunged into dead silence.

Every eye froze on the flashing red numbers strapped to Samuel Reynolds' chest. The air turned glacial.

Sophia Reynolds' face drained of color, her lips trembling uncontrollably.

"Transfer the money now, Sophia!" Samuel snarled, his fingers digging into Evelyn Sullivan's shoulder. "Or we all die together!"

Evelyn suddenly laughed.

"What's so funny?!" Samuel's grip tightened violently.

"I'm laughing at how easily you were manipulated." Evelyn's voice held terrifying calm. "Military-grade explosives? You really think someone like you could obtain these?"

Samuel's pupils contracted sharply.

"What are you implying?"

"It means—" Evelyn tilted her head slightly, "you've been played. These explosives are very real, and—"

Her words were cut off by rapid footsteps.

Ethan Sullivan's imposing figure appeared in the doorway, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression stormy.

"Release her."

Three words that made the temperature in the hall plummet.

Samuel's hands began shaking. "M-Mr. Sullivan..."

"Three seconds." Ethan checked his watch. "Or the Reynolds family cemetery gets relocated to the landfill tomorrow."

Evelyn felt Samuel's entire body stiffen behind her.

"Impossible..." Samuel muttered. "He said this was just a performance..."

Evelyn seized on the slip. "Who said that? Simon Reynolds?"

Samuel's eyes widened comically at being exposed.

Suddenly, the bomb's countdown accelerated with an ear-piercing beep.

"Two minutes left." Evelyn announced coolly. "Convinced now?"

Beads of sweat formed on Samuel's forehead as his entire frame shook violently.

"N-no... this can't be..."

Ethan strode forward.

"Stay back!" Samuel scrambled away in panic.

"One minute." Ethan continued advancing. "Either let me disarm it, or we all die here."

Evelyn stared at Ethan in shock.

He knew bomb disposal?

Samuel finally collapsed, knees hitting the marble floor. "D-disarm it! Quickly!"

Ethan moved like lightning. His long fingers expertly opened the bomb's casing.

The timer froze at 00:23.

Not a sound could be heard in the hall. Everyone held their breath.

A soft click echoed.

Ethan tossed the detached detonator aside and fixed his gaze on the crumpled figure of Samuel.

"Now. We settle accounts."