Chapter 12 - THE HIDDEN MASTERMIND
At midnight, a heavy fog rolled in, enveloping the marble walkways. Adrian donned a black wool overcoat, dismissed his security details, and walked alone toward the southern ruins—the site of the original wooden cabin his grandfather had built with his own hands.
In the biting Connecticut chill, a tall figure leaned against a crumbling stone pillar, metal glinting faintly in the moonlight.
It was Evelyn Reed—the chief legal counsel who had led the corporate oversight team.
"I knew you'd come here alone, Adrian," Evelyn turned around, holding the Sterling family signet ring in her palm.
Adrian stopped a few paces away, his gaze a mix of shock and bitter disappointment. "Evelyn... Even you?"
Evelyn offered a bitter, humorless smile. "You've always been too arrogant in your own philosophy, Adrian. You think you can control everything through money and fear. But fear turns into greed when people are driven into a corner. I needed that two hundred million to secure control of this entire holding fund under unclaimed assets!"
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"You think I'll let you walk out of these woods?" Adrian stepped forward.
Evelyn smirked, pulling a remote detonator from her coat pocket. "I've planted charges around the foundation of this vault. One click, and all original wills and historical proofs turn to ash. You'll lose everything, Adrian."
