Chapter 400

The moment Zachary spoke, Ethan Caldwell hesitated, his mind racing through possibilities.

Even after changing vehicles twice, Alexander Whitmore remained hot on his trail. Without Zachary's assistance, he knew any further attempts to outmaneuver him would be futile.

But the man's notorious reputation gave him pause.

"Let's get one thing straight," Ethan said, his voice sharp with warning. "I won't be part of anything illegal. That's non-negotiable. Propose something else, and I might consider it."

Zachary smirked, tilting his head slightly.

"Wouldn't dream of dragging you into anything shady. You're the golden heir, after all. Someone like me? I know my place."

"Then what exactly do you want?" Ethan's expression darkened, an unspoken tension thickening the air between them.

"Just a favor. I haven't decided what yet, but I'll let you know when I do."

Ethan glanced at his watch.

It was already past one in the morning.

If he didn’t hurry back, the sandwiches he’d ordered for Evelyn would be ice-cold by the time he returned.

"That's the spirit I admire!"

Zachary Black flashed a wicked grin, swinging the car door open with dramatic flair. With a careless wave, he sauntered away.

The driver glanced back. "Sir, should we leave now?"

"Go," Ethan Caldwell replied curtly.

The car sped off, vanishing into the dark embrace of the night.

From the shadows, Alexander Whitmore had been watching. He had seen someone enter and exit Ethan’s car, and as the vehicle disappeared, his instincts screamed at him to give chase.

But fate had other plans.

Three sleek black cars suddenly swerved in front of him, forming an impenetrable wall. One even circled him mockingly, tires screeching against the pavement.

Alexander’s jaw tightened.

Ethan had anticipated him.

No time for games.

His fingers flexed around the steering wheel before slamming the accelerator. The car responded instantly, executing a flawless drift that sent it slicing through the blockade like a blade through silk.

Zachary’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He hadn’t expected such precision from Alexander.

Snapping into action, he lunged forward—only for a massive freight truck to roar into his path, cutting him off with a deafening rumble.

By the time the truck lumbered past, the road was empty.

Alexander was gone.

Zachary Black's car had disappeared into the night. Ethan Caldwell exhaled sharply, irritation twisting his features, though he couldn't deny a flicker of reluctant respect.

Meanwhile, Alexander Whitmore accelerated down the darkened road, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. Frustration burned in his chest like embers refusing to die.

After the chaos of the ambush, he found himself driving without direction, scanning every shadow for any sign of Ethan.

The road split into multiple paths ahead. Alexander cursed under his breath, the weight of his failure pressing down on him.

If not for that sudden attack, Ethan wouldn’t have slipped through his fingers so easily.

Ethan smirked as he shook off Alexander’s pursuit, weaving through backstreets before finally returning to Hawthorne Estate.

The light in Evelyn Carter’s bedroom still glowed against the late hour.

She stood by the window, her fingers pressed against the glass, searching the darkness for any sign of him.

When no headlights followed Ethan’s car, her shoulders slumped in disappointment.

She had drenched herself in perfume earlier, hoping that clinging to Ethan would spark jealousy in Alexander—or at least provoke Vanessa Hart.

No woman would stand by while her husband tangled with another.

Vanessa Hart was counting on Evelyn Carter to make her move.

She had been certain Evelyn would send someone to monitor Ethan Caldwell's every step. That would have been her perfect opportunity to vanish without a trace.

But as minutes stretched into hours, Evelyn remained frustratingly inactive.

Vanessa's hope withered.

She had clearly overestimated her stepsister's cunning.

A bitter realization settled in her chest—this plan had failed spectacularly.

Her fingers curled into fists. Another chance might not come for months.

Then—

A sharp knock shattered the tense silence.

Ethan's smooth voice filtered through the door.