Zachary Sullivan stormed out of the villa.
His entire body trembled.
Every inch of his skin burned with pain.
Humiliation coiled around his heart like a venomous snake.
"Mom!" His voice was a strained hiss. "Why are you so afraid of him? You're the rightful Mrs. Sullivan now! I'm a Sullivan heir! Why should we tolerate this?"
The memory of being pinned to the ground flashed through his mind.
He wanted to tear Ethan Sullivan apart.
Amelia Sullivan raised her hand abruptly.
Her palm hovered mid-air.
She took in her son's pale face.
Beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead.
Slowly, she lowered her hand.
Lately, she'd been losing control too easily.
All because of this useless son.
She drew a deep breath.
"Fight back? With what?" Her voice was icy. "They outnumber us. Didn't you see Ethan's skills? He's nothing like the cripple rumors claim."
Zachary had seen it.
Those ruthless moves.
No trace of a man who'd spent years in a wheelchair.
"So we just let him walk all over us?"
Amelia smirked.
"He threw the first punch. The old man will hear of it soon." Her tone darkened. "Right now, your reputation matters most."
Something else worried her more.
Ethan might suspect them.
But he couldn't have solid proof.
Zachary's rage flared hotter.
"That brat didn't even die! How dare he go that far? If Emma had actually died, would he have killed me?"
He recalled that day's plan.
The more he thought, the angrier he grew.
"That little wretch recovered because of it! How ironic! He should be thanking me!"
Amelia's eyes turned glacial.
"Shut up!" she snapped. "Bury this secret deep! Emma is your father's only granddaughter. You will act concerned for your uncle, even if it's fake!"
She forced her fury down.
"Ethan's true power is unfathomable. We can't confront him directly."
Her eyes narrowed suddenly.
"The bomb malfunctioned. The racing accident... How did Sophia Sullivan escape unscathed every time?"
That woman appeared calm.
But when provoked, she struck with vicious precision.
A hint of madness lurked beneath.
"Investigate Sophia," Amelia commanded. "She might be the key to bringing Ethan down."
Zachary gave a reluctant grunt.
Internally, he scoffed.
That woman was just lucky.
"Lay low for now." Amelia gazed out the car window. "No more reckless moves. Wait for them to slip up. Everyone has a weakness. We'll find theirs."
Her voice dropped to a deadly chill.
All pretense of gentleness vanished.
"Silence every witness from the race and kidnapping." She spoke casually, as if discussing the weather. "If necessary, leave no one alive."
This secret.
Must never see the light.