Chapter 151

"Chairman Langley, I've exhausted every lead this past year. There's truly nothing unusual to report." Dominic stood by the hospital bed, hands tucked in his tailored trousers. "The core issue lies in Evelyn's special connection with Sebastian Cortez. Sever that tie, and she loses her greatest advantage."

He paused, gaze drifting to the plane trees outside the window.

"That Renaissance masterpiece remains missing. Only Evelyn knows its whereabouts. Perhaps we should keep her alive for now—"

Vincent Langley slammed the bedside table. The IV bottle rattled violently.

"I won't swallow this insult!"

Dominic's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Empty threats won't solve anything, Chairman. Focus on strategy, not tantrums."

"Get out!" Vincent hurled a pillow. "You'll be the death of me!"

Dominic caught it effortlessly, placing it back with deliberate calm.

His white coat billowed as he turned away.

The corridor vibrated with his buzzing phone.

Stock alerts from his assistant deepened the furrow between his brows.

Langley Group shares were in freefall.

At this rate, not even circuit breakers could stop the plunge.

A shattering glass echoed from the room behind him.

Dominic quickened his pace, unwilling to face another outburst.

......

Top floor of Valentine Corporation.

Adrian Valentine drummed polished fingers against his mahogany desk.

The fluctuations in his own stock were expected.

But Langley's collapse? That was unforeseen.

He rose, striding to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The city glittered beneath him like scattered diamonds.

Fingers tugged at his loosened collar, revealing a pale scar along his collarbone.

Knock-knock-knock—

The door burst open.

Margaret Valentine stormed in, her Chanel No. 5 preceding her.

"Find Evelyn Roland immediately!" Her manicured finger stabbed at the stock ticker. "Look at these numbers! The Valentine legacy won't crumble under your watch!"

Adrian turned. Ice glinted in his eyes.

"Your operatives failed. If you can't locate her, how could I—"

His phone lit up.

An unknown number flashed across the screen:

[Looking for Evelyn?]