Chapter 424

Eleanor instinctively looked at Vanessa.

She had tossed and turned all night, agonizing over what would happen when Ethan regained consciousness. The question of how Alexander would handle Evelyn's abduction had haunted her thoughts.

But Vanessa's cunning words had planted a seed in her mind.

The kidnapping had become a messy situation, especially since Evelyn had emerged completely unscathed.

Ethan, however, bore a life-threatening chest wound—one that could have easily been fatal.

Eleanor saw the opportunity and decided to follow Vanessa's lead. She would shift all the blame onto Evelyn.

"Ethan, you reckless fool," Eleanor murmured, her voice trembling with feigned sorrow. "Your own uncle cast you out of Titan Capital Group, and yet you still threw yourself into danger to save his wife? Your kindness has always been your downfall."

She dabbed at her dry eyes with a handkerchief, the picture of a grieving mother.

At first glance, the two women’s performance was convincing.

But Harold Aniston’s expression darkened as he listened. His voice was sharp when he finally spoke.

"What exactly happened here? How did my grandson end up with a bullet in his chest?"

"I contacted Vincent last night, and he's rushing back. Ethan is our family's only heir! This tragedy struck out of nowhere. Vincent is devastated!"

Vincent was Ethan's father. A year earlier, under his mismanagement, Titan Capital Group had suffered catastrophic losses. Furious, Harold had Alexander take control of the company.

As the eldest son, Vincent had been utterly humiliated. But it didn’t end there—he had secretly conspired with Titan Capital’s rivals, attempting to wrest power back from Alexander.

When Harold discovered the betrayal, he banished Vincent overseas without hesitation, forbidding him from returning even for holidays. The message was clear: he had disowned his own son.

Eleanor had been sick with worry, pulling every string to bring Vincent home, but nothing worked.

Her original plan had been to wait until Vanessa successfully gave birth, creating a reason for Vincent’s return. But then Ethan’s sudden accident changed everything.

In a twisted way, this was an opportunity. Her son had nearly died—surely Harold wouldn’t object if Vincent came back now.

As she spoke, a weary middle-aged man pushed through the crowd and entered the hospital room, exhaustion etched into his face.

Despite being the eldest son of the Aniston family, Vincent’s status had long since crumbled.

Vincent dropped his briefcase with a loud thud and sprinted to the hospital bed. "Ethan! My boy!" His voice cracked with emotion. "Your father's here now!"

His rough hands clutched Ethan's limp fingers, his eyes bloodshot. "Who did this to you? How could anyone dare—"

Ethan's face was ghostly pale, his skin clammy from the blood loss. The surgery had drained him completely.

His lips parted weakly, but only a dry rasp escaped his throat.

Vincent's theatrics escalated. "No, don't speak! Save your strength, son!"

Eleanor's sharp voice cut through the room like a knife. "It's that scheming wife of Alexander's, obviously. That Evelyn Carter is nothing but a walking disaster!"

"Alexander?" Vincent's gaze sharpened, like a predator locking onto prey.

Seizing the moment, Vincent turned on the waterworks. He staggered toward Harold, his voice wobbling with exaggerated distress.

"Father, I know Alexander runs Horizon Enterprises now, but you can't let this slide! Your grandson is power-drunk, protecting that woman while my son nearly died! You have to intervene!"

Harold massaged his temples, the headache from their dramatics pounding behind his eyes. He knew this mess needed resolution—fast—before the family tore itself apart.

He snapped at Harrison. "Bring me Alexander's wife. Now."