Chapter 377

"Thank the stars you didn't open it," Evelyn said with chilling calmness. "This substance reacts violently even with oxygen exposure. Had you lifted that lid, this entire facility would've been reduced to rubble."

"Sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel," Julian Prescott remarked, his fingers hovering over the transparent container holding forty-eight vials of hydronium. The substance shimmered like liquid crystal.

"It requires specialized containment," Evelyn warned. "Remember the Aldenria border explosion? That massive crater and the toxic purple fog that poisoned an entire province?"

Victor Holloway's face darkened as his gaze shifted between Adrian Castillo and Julian Whitmore.

Adrian gave a grim nod, confirming her claim.

Evelyn shot Adrian a look of pure disgust. Once she'd considered him honorable, even trusted him. Now the sight of him turned her stomach.

She stole a glance at Liam Blackwood's expression. His face remained an unreadable mask. Was he restraining himself from tearing Adrian apart right now?

Victor suddenly sat upright on the medical bed, crossing his legs with predatory grace. "Who exactly are you?"

"I'm Cassandra Wright." Evelyn gestured toward Julian Whitmore. "His so-called niece, though we share no blood relation."

A slow smirk spread across Victor's face. "You're Evelyn Carter."

The room erupted in gasps. Every eye locked onto her with a mixture of shock and dawning horror.

Liam leaned down, his whisper brushing her ear. "Why that reaction? What did he say?" Evelyn pressed closer, murmuring back, "He knows my true identity."

Liam didn't seem surprised. With the hydronium exposed, her cover was blown.

Julian Whitmore took two staggering steps forward. "You're really Evelyn Carter?" Evelyn answered with nothing but icy silence.

Julian Prescott's laughter rang out, rich with triumph. "How delightful - the legendary Evelyn Carter waltzing right into our trap like a lamb to slaughter."

Evelyn's voice cut like a blade. "Find this amusing? My answer remains unchanged. No force on earth can make me comply against my will."

Julian Prescott drew his pistol, inspecting the barrel with theatrical care. "Once we have you, your consent becomes irrelevant. Refuse, and I'll put a bullet through his skull."

As the gun swung toward Liam, Evelyn's pulse skyrocketed - but she refused to show fear.

With calculated indifference, she shrugged. "Kill him if you wish. If you want my cooperation, you'll return my parents first."

Victor turned to Julian Prescott. "Who are her parents?"

After a beat of hesitation, Julian Prescott jerked his chin at Julian Whitmore. "Where are they?"

Julian Whitmore's face went ashen. Their original plan had been simple - use Evelyn's family as leverage to plant Victoria Dawson in Liam's inner circle.

Julian Prescott pressed the gun into Julian Whitmore's shoulder. "I asked you a question. Where. Are. They?"

A whisper: "Dead."

Evelyn staggered as if struck. "Liar! Their graves were empty!"

"Empty because we dumped their bodies at sea after they'd served their purpose."

The world tilted. Evelyn's knees buckled as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. Liam caught her, crushing her against his chest.

Burrowing into his embrace, she sobbed in her native tongue, "They're lying! My parents can't be dead! They can't!"