Chapter 79

Evelyn had just slipped her phone back into her pocket when she turned and met Colin's probing gaze.

"Miss Sullivan, your ringtone..." Colin frowned slightly. "It sounds familiar."

Her fingers twitched. "Where have you heard it before?"

That was the encrypted alert tone exclusive to the mercenary alliance. Outsiders shouldn't recognize it.

Colin scratched his head. "Can't recall. Just feels distinctive."

The air between them froze.

"Miss Sullivan," Colin suddenly lowered his voice, "the CEO's car burst into flames immediately after colliding with the bus. The team only managed to pull him and the driver out—"

Evelyn clenched her fists. "We'll discuss the divorce papers after he wakes up."

She needed to confirm if Scorpion was behind this. That lunatic loved watching his prey struggle in agony.

The operating lights dimmed late into the night.

When Ethan was wheeled out, his face was ghostly pale, fragile as porcelain.

"Mr. Sullivan's old injuries have relapsed," the doctor removed his mask. "I'm afraid... he may never walk again."

Evelyn's legs gave way. She braced herself against the wall to keep from collapsing.

"Arrange for a private nurse," she heard herself say mechanically. "I'll stay with him."

Colin's expression darkened when he received a call.

"Stock prices plummeting? I'm heading back to the office now!"

He glanced at Evelyn. She nodded before he could speak. "Go."

The moment the door clicked shut, she tapped the unnamed black avatar in her contacts.

[Trace the leak.]

The reply came instantly: [Scorpion.]

Evelyn stared at the man tethered to tubes, her nails biting into her palms. She should've ended that madman herself.

Reporters swarmed outside Sullivan Tower.

The elder Mrs. Sullivan nearly fainted at the hospital room doorway.

"Evelyn..." The old woman trembled as she grasped her hand. "This is all my fault..."

Evelyn steadied the swaying matriarch. Her gaze toward the hospital bed was unreadable.