<h4>Chapter 382: A Plot Within a Plot</h4>


    The maid trembled, her voice barely audible. "Yes... I understand."


    "Hmph. Someone like you, a filthymoner, dares to aim for the likes of Logan? Get that idea out of your head. If you make a single misstep, then..."


    The harshness of the voice on the other end made the maid shudder.


    With shaking hands, the maid blinked back tears and pressed the recording button on her phone. "Miss Fox... may I see my family? Please, don’t hurt them. I’ll do everything you ask."


    "Complete your task, and I might consider it," came the cold, arrogant reply, followed by a disdainfulugh. "You, a lowly servant, dare to make demands of me?"


    "No! Miss, I wouldn’t dare..." The maid’s voice broke as she pleaded, her tears falling freely. "It’s been two years since I’ve seen them. I miss them so much! Please, Miss, I beg you... I’ll do everything to help you frame E so she can’t escape, but... I just want to see my family!"


    "Die, then! How dare you make demands of me?" came the icy, mocking retort. "You have seven days to act. If I return and you’ve done nothing, don’t me me for being ruthless!"


    The call ended abruptly.


    The maid clutched the phone, tears streaming down her face. Molly approached hesitantly. "I’m sorry, but those were the Miss’s orders. I couldn’t defy them."


    The maid shook her head. "I know... It’s not your fault. I don’t me you."


    "Rylee, you’re from Country S. Why does she treat you like this? Ah, never mind, I shouldn’t say more," Molly muttered, cutting herself off when she noticed Logan approaching. She quickly took her phone back and left without another word.


    Logan walked over and saw the tears staining Rylee’s face. "What’s wrong? Who bullied you?"


    Rylee shook her head. "It’s nothing. A friend called and shared something upsetting... so I cried with them."


    "You silly girl..." Logan chuckled softly, lifting her face and kissing away her tears. Every movement he made carried an air of elegance and grace.


    Rylee continued to weep silently. What could she possibly do to escape this hopeless situation?


    ...


    Two days passed uneventfully. Eric and E spent most of their time meeting with clients at the Vini Hotel, but the rest of their schedule was kept private for safety reasons.


    Brandon’s death had put both of them on edge, so they remained cautious and avoided unnecessary outings.


    This time, E had Mia by her side, and Eric had brought along two bodyguards. After three days of observation, no suspicious activity had been detected.


    Eric concluded that the killer likely wouldn’t target him or E.


    Early one morning, Eric found E sitting at a desk, sketching something on a pad of paper.


    Curious, he walked over and saw that she was drawing a diagram of rtionships between various individuals.


    Eric nced at it, his expression thoughtful. The connections she’d outlined werepelling, causing him to pause.


    E looked up, her bright eyes shimmering. "What do you think? Does this make sense?"


    Eric nodded. "Your reasoning is solid, but a theory is just that—a theory. You’ll need evidence to back it up."


    E blinked. "Evidence? That might be a bit tricky."


    "It’s not tricky at all. I’ll take care of it." Eric smiled, immediately dialing John back in their home country. He gave John precise instructions to investigate something and urged him to act swiftly.


    John agreed without hesitation. E sighed in relief. "If that piece falls into ce, everything will make sense."


    Eric nodded slightly, but E still looked troubled. "But... Tiffany is your top actress, signed with a massive contract. If my suspicions are confirmed, what will you do with her?"


    A shadow flickered in Eric’s eyes. "What do you want to do with her?"


    As he spoke, his long finger gently brushed against her lips.


    The intimate gesture made E feel a little awkward. They were in the middle of discussing something serious, weren’t they? Could Eric stop being a hungry wolf for just one moment? Afterst night, when he had practically devoured her whole, did he still want more?


    E quickly pushed his hand away. "I’m going to make a call to this ’Hannah’ from Country W."


    Eric chuckled, leaning down to kiss her earlobe. "Alright. I’ll stay with you for the call, and afterward, we’ll brush our teeth and have breakfast together."


    E’s heart softened with sweetness. This man clung to her like glue. But didn’t he ever get tired of it? Hopefully, this love wouldst forever.


    E dialed "Hannah." After chatting for half an hour, she hung up, her lips curling into a sly smile. "This Hannah is so timid and self-serving. With behavior like that, there’s no way she could be the Hannah from back then."


    "So... the show begins?" Eric asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly intrigued to see what E had nned.


    "First, let’s brush our teeth and have breakfast," E teased with a mischievous wink, keeping him in suspense.


    "E, how dare you keep secrets from me? Watch how I punish you!" Ericughed as he grabbed her head and kissed her hard.


    "Ahhh... Eric! You’re so bad!" E shrieked yfully.


    As she mumbled his name, the fiery chemistry between them ignited again, and the warm morning air seemed to sizzle.


    Eric finally broke away from her lips, his attention wandering to her neck and ears. E squirmed under his teasing touch, her breathsing in short gasps.


    When she was left breathless and flushed, Eric looked down at her with a satisfied glint in his eyes, his gaze vibrant and intense.


    "Well? Are you going to tell me now, Miss E? My darling?"


    His tone carried a yful yet wicked edge. E quickly nodded and obediently shared her n with him.


    Eric’s lips curved into a pleased smile. "That’s my girl. But... it’s a bit risky."


    "Risky? Come on, I’ve put so much thought into this!" E pouted, looking adorably indignant.


    The humor left Eric’s face as he grew serious, lost in thought.


    "The Miller family has been a thorn in our side in business. They’ve stolen clients and undermined many of our Country W operations. Just two months ago, they orchestrated a smear campaign that hurt the reputation of one of our chains."


    E blinked, realizing the weight of Eric’s opponent this time.


    "Such a powerful opponent. Can my little n really bring them down?"


    "Country W’sws are strict, and they’ve already crossed the line. But they’ve been meticulous, leaving no evidence behind. However... if you hint at the right things to Hannah, it might create the perfect ripple effect."


    Eric scribbled a few words on a piece of paper.


    E gasped softly, her eyes widening. "Alright, let’s do it."


    She called Hannah again, delivering her carefully crafted hints before setting the matter aside for the morning. She and Eric spent a sweet, rxing time at the hotel before heading to a shopping mall in the afternoon.


    Midway through their shopping trip, Eric received a call and had to leave for the Country W branch office to handle urgent business.


    E continued shopping with Mia, asionally buying clothing or jewelry that caught her eye.


    Byte afternoon, E and Mia were enjoying a meal at a restaurant when two bodyguards escorted a woman toward her table.


    It was "Hannah," her steps confident and graceful, her smile warm as she looked at E.