Jack moved faster than I had imagined.

Three days later, the Thorne family would hold a family meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to announce the list of candidates for the next patriarch. Therefore, all core members had to attend, including the reclusive Lucas Thorne.


This was undoubtedly the best time to strike.

Jack's plan was brilliant. He first deliberately leaked vague evidence of Lucas embezzling family funds years ago to several elders who had always been dissatisfied with Lucas's rule, successfully igniting sparks of doubt before the meeting began.

The meeting venue was set in an ancient manor owned by the Thorne family. The manor was located on an isolated island, surrounded by sea.


The meeting was scheduled for eight o'clock in the evening.

When Lucas entered the solemn meeting hall surrounded by his loyal guards, a barely perceptible tension had already spread through the air.


I was hidden in a narrow observation gallery on the second floor of the meeting hall, watching below.

Jack sat at the other end of the long table, facing Lucas from a distance.

The meeting began, and Lucas walked to the podium with his cane. He was a tall, imposing man with fierce eyes and a dignified presence. His voice carried an authority that was difficult to question.

"I'm old," he began, his heavy, turbid voice echoing in the hall, "Over these years, I've managed the Thorne family, with both merits and faults. But I believe I've done right by the Thorne family."

At this point, Jack's applause rang out in the hall. All eyes turned to him.

He slowly stood up, his demeanor composed, "Of course, Uncle, you've worked hard and achieved much. However..." he changed his tone, his ice-blue eyes sharp as knives, "some 'achievements' need to be made public."

Lucas's eyes flashed, "Jack, do you know what you're doing?"

Jack stared at Lucas, asking coldly: "Wasn't my father's death also your handiwork?"

This statement caused an uproar in the hall.

I immediately felt tense. In the hall, there were many of Jack's forces, but Lucas's forces were also numerous, and there were many neutral forces, mostly elders of the Thorne family who would only lean toward the victor. Jack said that as long as he gained the upper hand, these neutral forces would unhesitatingly choose him.

But if Jack couldn't demonstrate an advantage, these fence-sitters would likely side with Lucas...

Lucas's face changed drastically. Several of his bodyguards immediately stepped forward, hands on their holsters, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

"Nonsense!" Lucas shouted angrily, his cane striking the ground heavily, "Jack, the cause of your father's death was clear and obvious!"

Jack scoffed, taking out a miniature data storage device from his pocket, "These are testimonies from witnesses who were at the car accident scene, and... records of 'hush money' paid from your account to them. Would you like me to play it for everyone to hear now?"

Doubts and whispers spread like a tide through the hall.

Several elders whom Jack had previously briefed raised questions at the right moment:

"Patriarch, is this true?"

"You need to give us an explanation!"

Lucas's face turned ashen. He stared at Jack, murder in his eyes, "Absurd!" he roared, and the hall instantly fell silent, "Jack Thorne, you're so foolish! Are you so eager to replace me that you'd smear me using your own father's death?"

"The evidence is conclusive, Lucas." Jack calmly drew his gun.

"Protect the Patriarch!" Lucas's guard captain shouted, and some guards immediately surrounded Lucas.

At this point, the hall descended into complete chaos, with Jack's men and Lucas's men fighting each other.

My gaze remained fixed on Lucas. As Jack had predicted, Lucas escaped through a secret passage under the cover of several skilled fighters.

I immediately followed.

Before the action began, Jack had informed me. Lucas had several loyal guards around him, and it would be difficult to get close to Lucas without distracting them. So he planned to use the chaos to occupy those guards. To escape, Lucas would definitely choose the secret passage that he thought no one else knew about.

Like a ghost, I arrived ahead of time at the exit of the secret passage, a dark alley filled with abandoned wine barrels.

Footsteps approached, hurried and cautious.

Lucas's figure appeared at the entrance of the alley.

Now!

I suddenly sprang out, pointing my gun at Lucas.

Lucas was startled, "Who are you?"

"Lucas Thorne," my voice was as cold as ice, years of pent-up hatred boiling over at that moment, "I am Diana Evans."

I emphasized the last word heavily.

Lucas was stunned for a moment, then realized, shocked: "You're the daughter of the Evans couple!"

I was so excited that my hands trembled slightly. After all those years, finally, finally I could have my revenge.

At that moment, Jack appeared behind me, gently patting my shoulder, calming my emotions, "Do it."

Just as I was about to pull the trigger, there was a "bang" from behind.

Jack quickly embraced me and rolled to the side.

I was shocked to see that Jack's right arm had been shot.

Who! I looked toward the sound and saw it was Robert Blanchett!