The footage showed Alexia and two orderlies loading John into a ck van parked at the prison''s rear exit before speeding away. Their actions screamed guilt.


    "So, John wasn''t taken by an ambnce after all. He was taken somewhere else entirely!" Jason eximed. "Oh no! Do you think Alexia might have killed him to silence him?"


    "Theoretically, no," Evadne said confidently, tilting her head and tapping her forehead. "Arranging for an inmate''s medical parole is subtle and won''t raise rms. But if an inmate disappears or dies, it will definitely draw attention. They wouldn''t resort to that unless they were desperate. My guess is Alexia has him locked away somewhere. Now that we have the license te, we can track them."


    At three o''clock that afternoon, the boardroom at the Abernathy Group was filled to capacity. Today''s meeting was about the bidding strategy for the Elmsworth A5 Project, a crucial venture for thepany''s future, and every director was present.


    Frederic, as chairman of the board, opened the meeting. Thaddeus, his posture impable in a tailored suit, sat at Frederic''s left as vice-chairman-a position second only to one. He had fought hard to get where he was, despite being the rightful heir.


    But as soon as Thaddeus had walked in, he''d sensed something was wrong. The seat to Frederic''s right was empty. A strange, oppressive feeling settled over him. His hand, resting on the table, tightened into a fist, veins standing out in sharp relief. A dull, throbbing pain started at his temples.


    For the past few days, the headaches had been relentless, and the apanying chills and tremors had grown worse. Night after night, he had gritted his teeth, relying on adrenaline and sheer willpower to make it to dawn. To maintain a healthy appearance, he had taken his medication just before the meeting, even increasing the dosage to steady himself.


    As Frederic concluded his opening remarks, Thaddeus lowered his gaze, ready to present the A5 Project proposal.<fn5f34> Updates are released by FιndＮovel</fn5f34>


    "Thaddeus, wait a moment," Frederic said suddenly, stopping him.


    Thaddeus''s heart clenched. At that exact moment, the boardroom doors swung open.


    All eyes turned in surprise as a tall, elegant figure walked in, smiling at the room. "My apologies, directors. I''mte."


    Thaddeus looked up, stunned, as Chad approached. Hisshes fluttered, and his fingers, resting on the proposal, curled tighter.


    Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Chad walked past


    Thaddeus, a faint, dark fragrance trailing in his wake. Though there was no contact, a chill spread from the back of Thaddeus''s neck through his entire body.


    Chad stood beside Frederic. The two men, father and son, exchanged a look. Frederic''s face beamed with pride as he pped a hand on Chad''s shoulder, his high hopes for him palpable it was as if he had forgotten his other son was even in the room.


    "What''s Mr. Chad doing here? What does this mean?" the directors whispered amongst themselves.


    "Look at Mr. Frederic''s face. It''s obvious his favor lies with Mr. Chad."


    "But Mr. Thaddeus is in charge now. You can''t have two tigers on one mountain. Besides, what about Mr. Chad''s health...?"


    "He looks fine to me. Walks better than I do!"


    Frederic cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. He then announced with a broad smile, "Everyone, before we begin, there is one more item on today''s agenda. My eldest son, Chad, has returned from his studies abroad and is fully prepared to join US AT careful consideration


    have decided to bring him into the group as a member of the board of directors, to help us strengthen the Abernathy Group!"