?Chapter 178:


    Earle was even more ruthless than Adolf. After taking over, he expanded the organization’s influence.


    Adolf only dealt in assassinations, but Earle dabbled in everything—murder, drugs, gambling, arms trafficking. Anything that made money. In just a few years, Earle had transformed the organization into one of Avaloria’s most formidable criminal empires.


    Now that her whereabouts were exposed, Lydia harbored no intention of fleeing. “Elena, if I die, the Pantheon is yours.”


    Elena’s frown deepened. “Don’t be ridiculous. This is Houis. You’re not dying here.”


    A profound gratitude washed over Lydia. While everyone else trembled at the mere mention of Earle, Elena stood resolute—willing to shield her even as ruthless hunters closed in.


    Lydia gazed at her friend and murmured, “If you were a man, I’d marry you on the spot.”


    Elena dismissed thement with practiced indifference.


    Suddenly, a male voice interrupted. “Well, what a delightful coincidence.”


    Theo slid onto the seat beside Elena, wine ss in hand.


    Since Joseph’s departure, Theo had been a tempest of suppressed rage, searching desperately for an emotional release. The moment he spotted Elena downstairs, his simmering desires reignited. Almost mechanically, he approached her.


    Setting down his ss, Theo offered a calcted smile. “Elena, wasn’t it? We have some unfinished matters from ourst encounter.”


    Elena studied his lecherous visage, her mind sifting through memories. Recognition flickered. Ah. He was from the Spencer family.


    Elena remained utterly disinterested in engaging with Theo.


    Theo’s smile vanished, reced by a threatening tone. “The Empire is the Spencer family property. Drink this ss, and I’ll forgive you.”


    The drink was spiked. Elena possessed the beauty of a movie star, and Theo’s desire burned with a predatory intensity. If she drank it, her cold, aloof demeanor would crumble, reducing her to a desperate, pleading mess—begging for his touch.


    His lecherous gaze lingered on Elena’s body, his throat going dry with anticipation.


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    His look drew frowns from both Elena and Lydia.


    Theo reached out to drape his arm over Elena’s shoulder, but before his fingers could graze her clothes, his hand was seized and twisted back with a sickening crack.


    “Ah! My hand!” Theo screamed, sweat pouring down his face as it drained of color. “Get her!”


    The Empire’s manager, terrified of defying Theo, dispatched a dozen muscr men to encircle Elena.


    Meanwhile, the manager fled to report to Wesley’s assistant.


    Wesley found himself in the middle of a confidential discussion with military officials, a setting where nomunication devices were allowed.


    Rxed with his long legs casually crossed, Wesley gave off a vibe that was bothid-back andposed. “At the moment, mypany is at a standstill, and working with the military research institute isn’t something I’m considering right now.”


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