Chapter 324

Ryland had just slipped into his car, preparing to drive back to the office, when his phone buzzed.

"Mr. Brooks," his assistant's voice came through,calm but precise, "we've traced the issue. Someone at last night's banquet tampered with the drinks. That glass of wine was meant for Eleanor Warren,but Besty Juarez accidentally drank it. We tracked the staff member responsible and discovered he's connected to Brodie Stewart. Prior to the event, Brodie transferred two hundred thousand into his account."

Ryland's smile faltered as he absorbed the news. The casual, carefree expression he often wore gave way to an unusual seriousness.

The pieces suddenly clicked into place. Betsy hadn't fallen victim for no reason.

Now the root of the problem was clear.

Brodie's audacity astounded him. How dared he scheme against Nolan's girl with such reckless boldness?

That fool had practically signed his own doom. Ryland's eyes narrowed, cold and calculating. "Where is Brodie now?"

"He went to a club after the banquet," the assistant replied. "He's still there."

Ryland gave a curt nod and issued a brief command,"Make sure he gets his lesson, but do it quietly."

...

Thirty minutes later, Brodie stumbled out of the club,reeking of alcohol and frustration.

"Damn that old woman from last night... makes my blood boil just thinking about her! Where did I screw this up?" he slurred, waving at a passing cab.

Before he could reach the curb, a sack was thrown over his head, and a series of sharp blows rained down.

The sudden attack snapped Brodie sober instantly.Caught off guard, he had no chance to resist. His body went limp, each punch driving him closer to collapse,and desperate pleas for mercy escaped his lips.

But the assailants didn't relent.

By the time they finished, Brodie was battered, bruised,and barely able to stand. They dumped him at the Lumina Hotel, right at Colson and Ady's door. Even in the middle of this rough handling,the hit men showed a strange courtesy-they knocked on the door before leaving.

Ady opened it, immediately recoiling at the sight of her son,beaten and bloodied. "Brodie!What happened?Who did this to you?"

Brodie tried to speak, but the pain shooting through his swollen jaw made every word a struggle. "Nolan...it has to be him!" He spat through clenched teeth.

He had sent Nolan a brazen message just yesterday,and now, beaten, humiliated, and helpless, he knew Nolan was behind it.

Ady's blood ran cold as she took in the sight of her battered son. Rumors about Nolan and Eleanor reconciling had already stoked her anger,and seeing Brodie in such a state pushed her fury to its peak.Her mind raced with thoughts of retaliation.

Heart aching at Brodie's pitiful state, she barked orders at Colson without a second thought. "Get him inside. Clean him up, and give him something for the pain."

Once her son was tended to, Ady stormed onto the balcony, phone in hand, dialing Elora's number wvith a voice sharp and icy. "Elora! How could you let this happen? Nolan and Eleanor get back together, and he even had my son beaten up?" Her words dripped with fury.

Elora's hands trembled as she struggled to reply, "1...1don't know what happened, but don't worry.I'll make sure the task is done."

Ady's patience had long since worn thin, her tone slicing like glass. "This is your final warning. Make sure Eleanor and Nolan are torn apart. Or else-"

She left the threat hanging, but Elora's body reacted instantly, shaking as if caught in a storm.

No.

She couldn't return to that dark, suffocating life she had escaped.

Survival demanded compliance, and the task Ady had set before her had to be completed, no matter the cost.

Even as resolve solidified in her chest, Elora knew her position was weak. In Nolan's eyes,she would never measure up to Eleanor.

A drastic plan was forming in her mind, one that would leave no room for failure. She only prayed that, in the end, Nolan would not hold her accountable.

After all, her only goal was to survive.