Chapter 256

The night breeze carried a chill through the capital.

The Gould Group's headquarters blazed with light, but nothing could mask the turmoil within. In just half a month, the once-glorious family empire now teetered on the brink of collapse.

"Chairman, the stock hit the limit-down again today," the secretary adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his tone eerily calm.

Old Gould smashed his teacup against the floor. "Useless! All of you!"

He still couldn't comprehend how his affair with Fiona Von had triggered this catastrophic downfall.

Unbeknownst to him, several major shareholders were already conspiring in the boardroom.

"Old Gould's finished. We need to cut our losses."

"I heard the Von family is preparing to flee."

"Serves him right. His lust dragged us all down."

......

Lucy White stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the city's endless stream of headlights.

"The Goulds are done," she murmured, taking a sip of coffee, her lips curling into a cold smile.

Sophia Taylor entered with a file. "Flight's booked. We leave for the States the day after tomorrow."

"Mm." Lucy turned. "Before we go, let's visit our alma mater."

The university gates buzzed with students even at dusk.

"Remember that barbecue stall?" Sophia pointed to a small shop. "The owner still recognizes us."

They shared a smile, momentarily transported back to carefree college days.

"By the way," Sophia lowered her voice, "Hunter's been finding excuses to take me to dinner lately."

Lucy arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Do you think he—" Sophia's words died as a chill ran down her spine.

Lucy yanked her wrist. "Move!"

A corrosive stench grazed past them. White smoke hissed from the scorched pavement.

"Vanessa?" Sophia gasped at the disheveled woman emerging from the shadows.

Vanessa Knight clutched two glass bottles, madness gleaming in her eyes. "This is all your fault!"

Lucy shielded Sophia calmly. "Your brother's choices weren't my doing. As for Hugo—"

"Liar!" Vanessa shrieked. "If you hadn't seduced him—"

She twisted a cap open. Concentrated sulfuric acid glinted lethally under the streetlights.

A sudden unnatural gust swirled.

The acid arced backward, dousing Vanessa entirely.

"Karma," Lucy observed coldly as the woman writhed on the ground, already dialing the police.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Ethan Smith arrived breathlessly as Lucy gave her statement.

"Are you hurt?"

"Hardly." Lucy smirked. "Though someone should leash his admirer."

Hunter Wilde rubbed his neck sheepishly, gaze drifting toward Sophia.

Ethan scowled. "That lunatic belongs in a cell."

"Don't worry." Lucy watched paramedics load the screaming woman away. "She'll never see daylight again."

The night wind carried away the last traces of acrid smoke.

Poetic justice was never just a saying.