Chapter 1241:
Rylie responded by placing another set of documents in front of Felix. “This is Kalel’s medical report. Rory passed it along to me.”
Felix scanned through the diagnosis carefully, his expression growing grave. “This looks very serious.”
“Three days ago, Kalel became severely ill and coughed up blood,” Rylie said, her voice calm and measured. “One of Rory’s colleagues gave a preliminary diagnosis of advanced-stage lung cancer. Without immediate surgical treatment in a proper facility, he likely has less than a month to live.” She took a slow sip of warm milk before continuing. “All we have to do is wait. He’ll come looking for my help himself.”
Felix set the report down, his face shadowed with concern. “Even if Kalel reveals Brad’s location, Havenridge Group is not an opponent to be taken lightly. As the largest trust corporation in the world, they are known for ruthless and extreme methods.”
Rylie answered quietly but without hesitation. “No matter what stands in our way, we’ll find a way through it.”
Three days later, as the Owen family’s pressure on the presidential office reached an unbearable intensity, Kalel finally broke — and gave in.
Kalel finally yielded to Rylie, confessing the true motive behind Brad’s abduction.
“Luther has long admired Brad — after all, Brad once saved his life. Now he intends to have Brad marry his daughter to strengthen Havenridge Group’s global expansion. To be precise, Luther is fascinated by Brad himself… and by the legacy his bloodline represents.”
ո𝗼𝘷elѕ і𝘯 𝘵𝗿e𝗻𝖽 o𝘯 𝘨𝗮𝗹𝘯о𝘷𝗲l𝘴.с𝗼𝘮
Rory released a slow, weary sigh. “They want Brad to marry Kari Yates.”
Felix’s brows drew together. “The same woman who abandoned Brad and played a part in his leg injury?”
“I don’t understand their reasoning,” Rory said. “How could someone as resolute as Brad agree to marry a woman he doesn’t love simply to gain influence or authority?”
Marcus spoke after a thoughtful pause. “We’ll need a carefully calculated strategy to deal with that. But for now, Kalel remains our immediate concern.” He turned to Rylie, lowering his voice. “Do we release him?”
“Release him,” Rylie answered without hesitation. “Let’s see how long modern medicine can truly sustain him.”
Felix studied her expression. “Then what are you planning to do about Brad?”
Deandre’s face darkened with fury. “We assemble a strike team, and Rylie launches a missile to obliterate them. If they refuse to cooperate, we take everything by force.”
Marcus placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “That kind of thinking belongs to outlaws. Havenridge Group’s defense systems likely rival, if not surpass, national security infrastructure. By the time we attempt to breach their defenses, they’ll already have countermeasures in place. Their headquarters is no ordinary facility, and that kind of recklessness could cost countless lives.”
Felix nodded in agreement. “If Havenridge Group was bold enough to take Brad, it means they’ve already prepared for retaliation from both Rylie and our entire faction. Acting rashly would be walking straight into a trap.”
Silence settled over the room as everyone sank into troubled thought, each of them grappling with the complexity of what lay ahead and wondering what move could possibly come next.
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