Chapter 973:
Brad met his eyes evenly. “It’s just a theory, nothing more. No offense intended.”
Carter’s expression darkened. “I’ve long believed that making you a general was my gravest misjudgment.”
He turned to the officers and spoke crisply. “Handle the body carefully. I want a complete and detailed report on this incident.”
Without sparing Brad another glance, he strode away, his steps echoing with restrained fury.
Rylie, noticing the flicker of unease in Brad’s expression, asked softly, “What did he mean by that?”
“When I was younger, aside from accompanying my grandfather on missions, I often spent time with Carter. He hadn’t yet risen to Minister of Defense, but even then, he guided me like a mentor. We were close,” Brad said quietly, holding Rylie’s hand as they stepped out into the open. “Over time, as political tensions escalated—and after his wife succumbed to illness—he became colder, more ruthless. The man I once knew exists only in memory now.”
Rylie frowned, concern clear in her eyes. “What kind of illness was it?”
Brad’s expression darkened, his voice carrying a quiet weight. “A rare, aggressive form of cancer—a high-risk neuroblastoma. I visited her once. The pain she endured was almost unbearable to witness.”
Rylie’s brows knit. “That type of cancer is far more common in children. Adults have an even lower chance of survival.”
Brad exhaled softly, a hint of worry in his voice. “I hope it’s not him. We’ve always shared the same way of thinking.”
Rylie responded gently, “But people can change when unexpected events come into play.”
Brad said nothing. The weight of that truth pressed down on him, though he avoided facing the darkest possibility head-on.
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As they stepped out of the villa and approached the garage, Rylie noticed a car door left ajar. She paused, her eyes fixed on the license plate.
Brad followed her gaze and asked, “What is it?”
Rylie murmured softly, “929.” She glanced at Brad, her voice steady. “It’s a significant memory from Lucilla’s past.”
Traces
Their hushed conversation by the car did not escape Carter’s attention. He remained seated in his vehicle a short distance away, his face composed yet inscrutable, his eyes fixed on them with unwavering focus.
The shocking revelation of Juan’s guilt-driven suicide rippled across the nation. His admission of treason was upheld by the courts, and with Rhoda’s mother, Emani Hampton, providing testimony, it signaled the collapse of the Shaw family’s influence.
Emani’s health had markedly improved under Rylie’s care. When she heard of Juan’s death, she showed no outward reaction, offering only a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.
Rylie had long wondered why Rhoda had conspired with her husband to poison her own mother, leaving her paralyzed. At last, she posed the question to Emani, seeking clarity. Meanwhile, Rhoda, recovering in the hospital, passed by the room and froze—stunned by the sight of a familiar presence.
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