Chapter 284

Xavier Stapleton's fingers tightened and loosened on the steering wheel.

When he saw Roman Young drive away from the rental car agency in that beat-up sedan, a dark glint flashed in his eyes.

This persistent bastard had actually tracked down Madam Zade's schedule today.

Ever since Roman joined Evelyn Sinclair's department, Xavier had felt like prey marked by a venomous snake. His carefully woven lies could be exposed at any moment.

Madam Zade's "frail health" had been his perfect cover. Hugo Lee had no choice but to take over the company while she remained bedridden, keeping constant vigil by her mother's side.

But Roman was like a shark that had caught the scent of blood—relentless in his pursuit.

Xavier's grip on the wheel turned white-knuckled as he stared at the rickety car ahead.

He should have dealt with this sooner.

All the humiliation, exclusion, and suppression had been nothing but minor irritations to that lowlife. Roman's endurance was beyond expectation.

Xavier pressed the accelerator harder.

Up ahead was the perfect spot—a construction site with a deep pit, cordoned off by barriers.

"Evelyn, I see the hotel," Roman's voice came through the phone. "Should I stake it out first or—"

A deafening crash suddenly exploded through the line.

Evelyn nearly dropped her phone.

"Roman!" she shouted into the receiver, but only static answered her.

The GPS showed his location near an abandoned construction site on Lotus Boulevard.

"Lewis, hurry!" Evelyn's voice was strained.

By the time Roman spotted the familiar Raptor SUV in his rearview mirror, it was too late.

The impact sent his car lurching violently. The airbag deployed instantly, and darkness swallowed his vision—his last conscious thought was of Xavier's twisted face.

Both vehicles teetered precariously on the edge of the pit.

"Madam, be careful!"

Lewis lunged toward the SUV while Evelyn sprinted to Roman's car.

The sound of shattering glass pierced the air. Just as Evelyn dragged Roman's unconscious body from the wreckage, his car plummeted into the abyss.

Almost simultaneously, the SUV followed.

Lewis barely managed to pull a bloodied Xavier to safety.

"Call an ambulance." Evelyn's voice was eerily calm, though her fingers trembled slightly.

She dialed Eleanor Kingsley. "Mom, my colleague was in an accident..."

Eleanor's frantic questions came through, but Evelyn gave only a brief explanation before hanging up.

In the hospital corridor, a doctor rushed over. "The patient needs RH-negative blood. The blood bank is running low—"

Before he could finish, Hugo Lee arrived with hospital administrators in tow.

"Transfuse him immediately!" Hugo's command brooked no argument.

Evelyn stood aside, watching the medical team work, her phone clutched tightly in hand. This accident held far too many buried secrets.