Chapter 1829
No.1
Evelyn had just reached the building's entrance when Isabella intercepted her with a phalanx of bodyguards.
"See this?" Isabella flashed her right hand, the diamond engagement ring glittering under the lights. "Alexander proposed to me."
Evelyn's gaze barely flickered across it. "Congratulations."
Isabella's smirk froze. "Aren't you heartbroken?"
"Why would I be?" Evelyn countered, her eyes as unreadable as still waters.
The Financial Department's half-empty workstations sent a jolt through Evelyn.
"Where is everyone?" she asked the remaining team members.
No.2
"No one's answering their phones," they murmured, exchanging uneasy glances.
Evelyn immediately turned to the acting Social Affairs Department head. "I need emergency leave."
The supervisor looked up from his monitor. "What's happened?"
"My entire team has gone missing." Evelyn's quiet tone carried steel. "I'm finding them."
After a measured pause, the supervisor warned, "Going alone is too dangerous."
Evelyn secured a tracker to her collar. "I'll be careful."
Minutes after her departure, the Financial Department's doors burst open.
No.3
Alexander Kingsley strode in, his suit jacket flaring from the night wind. His sweeping gaze locked onto the Social Affairs supervisor.
"Where's Evelyn?" Urgency vibrated beneath his controlled voice.
"She left the premises."
Alexander advanced, eyes darkening. "Her location. Now."
The supervisor remained guarded. "Lord Alex, Evelyn didn't leak Kingsley's positions."
"I know!" Alexander's shout echoed off the walls. "I just need to know if she's safe!"
His phone screen displayed a newly received anonymous text:
No.4
[Five million or Evelyn Sinclair dies.]
The Social Affairs Department head tapped her fingers lightly on the desk.
She lifted her gaze to Alexander Kingsley, her expression chillingly composed.
"I truly don't know."
Alexander's eyes turned glacial, plunging the office into an arctic silence.
"Say that again."
The director glanced around, her tone measured. "Everyone heard me ask her whereabouts. She refused to answer."
No.5
Alexander suddenly leaned forward, palms braced on the desk.
"Then why did she leave?"
After a weighted pause, the director relented. "Her team member went missing. She went to find them."
Alexander's pupils constricted.
He straightened and turned on his heel.
That direction—
Led straight to Triad Hyde's territory.
No.6
......
The name Triad Hyde resonated through Kingsbury like thunder.
His real name had long been forgotten.
Alexander was no stranger to the man.
Two years ago, Hyde had arrived at Kingsley Group with suitcases of cash.
He wanted legitimacy.
Kingsley refused.
No.7
The grudge took root.
Hyde never missed a chance to curse Kingsley's arrogance.
Alexander couldn't care less.
Kingsley didn't associate with such men.
Yet today—
He would seek an audience himself.
......