CHAPTER 10: The Pawn’s Realization
I slammed into the ground next to Adrian, grabbing him by the collar of his coat.
“Listen to me!” I screamed over the roar of engine noise and gunfire. “They aren’t here to negotiate with you, Adrian! They’re going to kill you and take that drive!”
Adrian was shaking uncontrollably, his eyes wide with absolute terror. “I... I just wanted my company... I wanted him to pay...”
“You were a pawn!” I yelled. “Vanessa wasn't working for you! Who introduced you to Vanessa, Adrian? Think!”
Adrian froze. His face went entirely blank as memories aligned. “She... she was hired by my lead investor... six months ago.”
“The same investor funded by Apex,” I said. “Vanessa was placed next to you to manipulate you, to make you hit me, to break my alliance with my father, and to force this exact moment!”
The reality hit him like a physical blow. The mistress he thought loved him, the pregnancy he thought was his legacy—it was all an operation designed to isolate him and trigger a war between the Laurent family and Vale Enterprises.
“Give me the drive, Adrian,” I demanded, holding out my hand. “It’s the only way any of us walk out of here alive.”
Tears mixed with rainwater streamed down his face. The man who had struck me twenty times in our mansion was now small, terrified, and helpless.
He placed the cold metallic drive into my hand.
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“Evelyn... I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“I don’t care about your apology,” I said coldly. “Now run to the SUV!”
