?Chapter 473:


    Clutching this unexpected lifeline, Lanny fumbled for his phone with shaking hands and dialed Irene for a video call.


    Elsewhere, anxiety consumed Irene as she waited for any updates on the situation.


    News of Cole’s encounter with the Phantom Mercenaries operatives in Podgend had rippled through the Evans family like wildfire, igniting chaos. Ruben’s fury burned white-hot, and the family elders had assembled for an emergency session.


    As the architect of Cole’s almost-seeded elimination, Irene suffered through every passing second. Sleep abandoned her, food turned to ash in her mouth, and terror gnawed at her—the exposure of her involvement loomed like a guillotine above her neck. Worse, Lanny remained unreachable, Jason’s whereabouts unknown. She could only wait for Lanny’s report, trapped in her web of dread.


    When Lanny’s video call finally came through, Irene snatched up the phone with desperate excitement. “Lanny, how did everything unfold? Where is Jason?”


    Seeing Irene’s face on the screen shattered Lanny’sposure. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he sobbed, “Mrs. Evans, please save me!”


    Irene’s brows knitted together in sharp concern. “Exin yourself immediately! Where are you, and what has happened?”


    Lanny rotated the camera toward Jason, revealing Jason’s deadly expression to Irene. “Mrs. Evans, he uncovered our involvement and dragged me back to Podgend to execute me!”


    Jason did not shy away from the camera’s scrutiny. Instead, he lifted his cold gaze and met Irene’s stare through the screen with unflinching intensity.


    Irene had sacrificed half her life’s savings to hire the Phantom Mercenaries for Cole’s life, convinced the n was foolproof. She had intended to confess everything to Jason after Cole’s death, believing Jason would then have no choice but to im the role of the head of the Evans family. But the n’s spectacr failure and Jason’s discovery of her actions had never entered her calctions.


    Even now, facing exposure, Irene felt no shame—only righteous indignation burning in her chest. “Jason, throughout the years, Lanny has devoted his loyalty to you andbored tirelessly in your service. How can you show such cruelty toward him?”


    “Are you suggesting I should tolerate someone who nearly murdered my family?” Jason’s voice cut like a de. “Would you expect gratitude if someone harmed Jeff while iming to help me?”


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    “That’spletely different!” Irene’s shout cracked with fury. “You and Jeff are brothers, while Cole is just your cousin—an enemy who stole the inheritance that belonged to you!”


    Jason’s response was swift and sharp. “Cole stands as the eldest grandson, chosen by my grandpa as his sessor. His abilities and wisdom eclipse mine. How dare you im he stole what was never mine to begin with?”


    Irene’sugh dripped with bitter mockery. “Only because you are ignorant of Cole’s secret. Once you learn about it, such thoughts will never cross your mind! You are the most qualified heir of the Evans family. Your grandfather’s bias has blinded him!” Her agitation painted her eyes crimson.


    Witnessing Irene’s unraveling, Jason’s confusion deepened into a frown as he demanded in a voice heavy with foreboding, “What secret does Cole harbor?”


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