?Chapter 988:


    N had always dreamed of marrying into money, carefully curating the image of sophistication and poise that high society demanded.


    Honestly, there had been a time when she used to dread getting exposed, but the syndicate’s leader wielded so much power that nothing ever went awry, and soon her anxiety faded.


    The only real fact she possessed was that the leader of the syndicate hailed from Avaloria. Everything else remained a mystery. Inside the syndicate, Wyatt served as her lone point of contact, so she didn’t recognize the man earlier.


    Thinking back, she felt lucky that her swift action had saved her—if she hadn’t silenced the man in time and Kason connected all the dots, the consequences awaiting her would have been disastrous.


    N’s gaze fell heavily on Elena. That fucking bitch! Once Elena was gone forever, her path to marrying Wesley would finally be clear. With Lucinda and the police upied at the station for the case, N needed only to remove Kason from the scene. A sharp, calcting light flickered in her eyes as she dialed Lamont’s number.


    No sooner had she hung up than Kason received orders to return to base. Tucker had vanished already, and Elena wandered over to a street stall, idly browsing.


    Making her way toward Wesley, N addressed him, “Mr. Spencer, could we discuss something about your grandfather?”


    Wesley’s eyes had tracked Elena’s movements, pointedly ignoring N as if she were invisible. Only the mention of Gerald finally drew his attention toward her. His face showed little emotion, and his reply came in a clipped tone. “What do you want?”


    Feeling a glimmer of hope, N offered a small smile. “Commander Rayne has always shown deep concern for your grandfather. He once told me he hoped to visit him in the.”


    At this, Wesley paused. Commander Rayne was the mentor Elena had been searching for. He had no idea that Elena’s mentor was so closely tied to his own family.


    Despite his curiosity, Wesley let nothing slip. “Alright,” he replied, his voice casual and unconcerned.


    During their brief exchange, somewhere in the shifting crowd, Elena vanished unnoticed.


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    At the edge of the market, Elena caught sight of a table covered in amulets. She picked out a handful and paid, but before she could step away, something cold and hard pressed into her spine.


    A faint tightening in her eyes was the only sign she registered the threat. There could be no doubt—it was a gun.


    A harsh, gravelly voice hissed behind her, “Don’t try anything. Head right, now.”


    Ice reced any trace of fear in Elena’s gaze, calm and unyielding. With measured steps, she obeyed, walking into the shadows of a narrow alley.


    Hidden from the world, Wyatt’s predatory hunger surfaced. His gaze lingered shamelessly on her curves, lustful and possessive. To him, Elena was more than just a target N requested—she was a prize. Too bad she got on N’s bad side, sealing her fate. He intended to have his fun with her before handing her over to N’s operating table for the organ deals.


    Voice thick with anticipation, he murmured, “y along, and maybe I’ll let you live a little longer.”


    Elena kept her gaze low, revealing nothing. Her silence tricked Wyatt into thinking fear had rendered her powerless.


    Oblivious to the danger simmering in her eyes, Wyatt casually reached for his belt. A quick snap, and the belt came undone. He leaned in, hands reaching out to tug at Elena’s clothing. Desire gleamed in his eyes, a hunger unmistakable, as if he meant to im her without a second thought. No one he’d met couldpare to Elena—her beauty outshined even the biggest names, and her figure was wless from every angle.


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