?Chapter 144:


    Merritt’s words lingered in the room like smoke—suffocating, ominous. A chill traced its way down Paige’s and Kiara’s spines. This was Merritt—the man who had wed his way through blood and fire, a legend forged in chaos, someone who had never flinched in the face of danger. If he called something terrifying, it had to be monstrous.


    “Do you know what this really means?” Merritt asked, his voice low and deliberate.


    Paige and Kiara exchanged a nce and shook their heads, silent and uneasy.


    Merritt exhaled slowly, his eyes momentarily drifting shut as if weighing the gravity of what he was about to say. “John told me something—something he’s never admitted to anyone else. Officially, he’s ranked ninth among the world’s elite hackers. But in truth, he’s easily top three.” He paused, letting the weight of that sink in. “He was taken down by Interpol after orchestrating one of the most catastrophic breaches in modern history. Served five years. Disappeared after that. No activity, no digital footprint. As far as the world knows, he vanished.” Pausing, he added, “But prison didn’t break him. It honed him. He kept evolving in silence. By the time he was released, his skills had reached an unimaginable level. In today’s hacking world, only two people could rival him now—Quinn and Jody.”


    Paige and Kiara stiffened at his words. Whatever they thought they were dealing with, this wasn’t it.


    “This leads us to a disturbing conclusion,” Merritt said, his voice taut with gravity. “The person who wiped the surveince footage must be either Quinn or Jody. Either one is a phantom on the global stage. But here’s the real problem…”


    Merritt leaned forward, his gaze darkening. “Quinn and Jody are known for their arrogance. They don’t lift a finger unless it’s for someone with serious pull—someone with international clout and leverage. This is no longer just about being hacked. This is a warning. Someone with the power tomand either of them has decided to make me their target. I may be facing a storm that could wipe me out entirely.”


    Paige’s blood ran cold. Kiara clutched her sleeve without realizing it. To them, Merritt was already a towering figure—untouchable, dangerous, unyielding. If someone above him had now stepped into the shadows, what hope did they have?


    Merritt’s piercing gazended on Paige. “Tell me, Paige… Do you think this incident could be connected to Elliana? Is it possible that she is getting help from someone very powerful?”


    Paige immediately shook her head, the idea too absurd to entertain. “That’s impossible! Elliana’s just nobody, ugly, ipetent, and without any connections. How could she possibly have someone like that backing her?”


    ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????????????


    “Exactly!” Kiara jumped in, eager to reinforce her mother’s dismissal. “I practically raised her. The only reason she ever gained any recognition was because of Leonel. If she hadn’t be Rosa under his wing, she’d still be a nobody. Trust me, this is way beyond her.” Seeing that Merritt remained thoughtful, Kiara added hastily, “If Elliana really had someone powerful protecting her, do you think she would’ve lived in a filthy storage room for fifteen years, letting us treat her like dirt?”


    Merritt slowly nodded, the logic lining up. If someone like Quinn or Jody truly were backing Elliana, the Jones family would have ceased to exist long before.


    “So, this was just a coincidence. Nothing more. Elliana just happened to benefit from someone else’s interference.” But even as he said it, something in his eyes suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced. Paige and Kiara nodded in unison. It was the only exnation that made sense to them.


    Merritt fell silent, his fingers drumming against the armrest as he mulled it over. Then, in a low voice, he said, “If someone that dangerous is operating from the shadows, I need to prepare. I’ll need an ally—someone powerful enough to match them.”


    “Why not Cole?” Paige suggested quickly.


    In Ublento, no name carried more weight than Cole Evans. His influence stretched far beyond city lines—he was practically untouchable. If Merritt could secure his favor, there would be nothing to fear.


    Paige figured if she yed it right, she could use that alliance to worm her way back into Cole’s world.


    She waited, certain her idea would impress. But Merritt gave her a cold, amused nce. “Paige, you were once engaged to him. Surely you know how difficult that would be. Why would Cole ever stoop to forming alliances with the likes of us?”


    “I do know,” she said, recovering smoothly. “But I’m not talking about an alliance. I’m talking about leverage. Make Cole owe you. That way, if things go south, you’ll have a favor to cash in.” Merritt’s eyes narrowed. “Oh? What are you proposing?”


    “Get rid of Elliana,” Paige said without hesitation. She leaned forward, voice steady. “Cole can’t stand her. Everyone knows it. He left the Evans mansion just to avoid consummating their marriage. She’s nothing more than a blemish on his reputation.” Merritt gave a slow nod. He’d heard the rumors.


    Paige pressed on. “He’s under pressure from Ruben. If you make Elliana disappear—quietly, cleanly—Cole will undoubtedly appreciate it…”


    .


    .


    .