Chapter 290

"I accept your terms from last night."

Scorpion's laughter crackled through the phone, laced with amusement.

"Smart people make smart choices."

Evelyn Sullivan's grip tightened around her phone, her knuckles turning white.

"Remember your promise. If anyone I care about loses so much as a single hair, I'll make you wish you were never born."

"See you in three months."

The call ended, plunging the office into silence. She stared at the darkened screen, exhaling slowly.

——

The penthouse suite of Grand Hyatt.

Isabella Jackson woke with a body that ached as if it had been run over by a truck. Her panicked gaze darted around the room until she confirmed her clothes were intact.

Fragmented memories flashed through her mind—the drink, the dizziness, and... Ethan Sullivan's silhouette?

Her trembling fingers dialed Colin Keller's number.

"Was there something in my drink last night?"

After hearing his explanation, her nails dug into her palms unconsciously.

"Did... Ethan come?"

The unnatural pause on the other end made her pulse quicken.

"You must have imagined it."

Hanging up, Isabella stood before the bathroom mirror with a cold smile. The front desk had confirmed her suspicion—the room was registered under Ethan's name.

"Colin..." She wiped the smudged lipstick from her mouth, her eyes glinting with malice.

——

The Jackson family villa blazed with light.

William Jackson's expression darkened further at the sight of her.

"Why did you hide the MY situation from me?"

Isabella hesitated briefly before donning an innocent look.

"Brocade has been keeping me too busy..."

Of course she wouldn't admit she'd planned to take this secret to her grave.

Grandma Eleanor's call came sooner than expected.

"Evelyn's status has changed now. You must—"

William cut her off impatiently. "I know my limits."

After hanging up, father and daughter exchanged loaded glances. The chandelier's light cast shifting shadows across Isabella's face, revealing the storm brewing in her eyes.