Chapter 1233:
Sean cut him off sharply and addressed the President directly by name. “Kalel Henderson. Brad has stood beside you and served this country for over ten years. After everything he has given, are you seriously planning to get rid of him right when he’s finally about to find happiness? Of all people, you know he would never oppose you. He has never once cared about authority or personal gain.”
The line went completely silent.
After a brief pause, Kalel finally spoke. “Sean, the classified mission was genuinely requested by Brad himself. He told me it would be the last favor he’d do for me before stepping down. I am not lying. He willingly set aside his upcoming wedding. I’m sorry.”
As President, his voice carried a sincerity and humility that made it difficult to challenge.
Rylie, who had listened to every word without missing a single detail, took the phone. “Kalel, you’ve accepted my assistance in the past. I trust you understand what happens when kindness is repaid with betrayal.”
In his office, Kalel lowered his eyes slightly. “Ms. Owen, I am sincerely grateful for everything you’ve contributed to this country. But I truly have not deceived you.”
“If I can break through the Indoria Federation’s security systems,” Rylie replied coldly, “dismantling your presidency would be child’s play. Your weapon stockpiles, your closest allies — none of them are beyond my reach.”
In𝘵е𝘯𝗌𝗲 𝗋𝗈𝘮ance on 𝗀𝘢𝗅𝘯o𝘃𝖾𝗅𝘴.с𝗼𝗺
The threat in her words was unmistakable. Kalel was fully aware of her capabilities — he understood her identity better than most — yet he kept his voice steady. “Would you truly destroy the nation Brad has devoted his entire life to defending? Would you shatter the reputation he built through years of sacrifice — just for your own sake? Would you really drag him down from being a national hero and turn him into a criminal?”
Rylie’s grip on the phone tightened slowly, her eyes growing cold and unreadable.
“Ending my life wouldn’t change anything,” Kalel continued in an even, controlled tone. “Everything I’ve told you is the truth. You might as well go home and wait for him to return.”
That single sentence broke the last thread of Rylie’s self-control. Kalel handed the call to his assistant. The assistant was just about to end the call when Rylie’s voice cut through again — cold and utterly emotionless.
“Kalel Henderson, if you’re determined to push things this far — then you had better guard your head carefully. Because before you get comfortable in that presidential seat, someone might slice you clean in two.”
A wave of cold sweat drenched the assistant’s back. “Be careful what you say! Threatening the President is punishable by death!”
Rylie ended the call. A series of sharp, hollow beeping tones echoed through the silence.
In the living room, Sean sank onto the sofa as though every ounce of strength had drained from him, his face pale and ashen. The butler rushed over, pressing blood-pressure medication and a glass of water into his hands.
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