“If it was intentional, then Eric’s greatest enemy is his own”

“Biological brother—Gifford.”

Hadley gave a quick nod.

“Yes! Exactly!”

How could she have overlooked Gifford?

“I understand,” Ellis responded.

“I’ve been informed of their past. But Gifford left Srixby half a year ago. There’s no record of him entering the city through official means.”

In other words, no one could confirm he had returned. Even if he truly was involved, finding him would be nearly impossible.

Not long after, Ellis and Ernest went to consult Ferris.

“Mr. Scott, do you know of any possible places where Gifford might be hiding in Srixby?” Ernest asked directly.

Ferris froze.

“That bastard has come back?”

“We can’t say for sure, but we have to consider the chance,” Ellis replied.

“Give me a moment…”

He then offered a few names, though each location seemed far too obvious.

If Gifford was truly behind this, he would never risk hiding where his father could so easily point the way.

“We don’t have solid leads yet,” Ellis admitted.

“But we’ll keep searching. Mr. Scott, Mr. Flynn, I’ll return to the investigation.”

“Much appreciated,” said Ernest.

As Ellis stepped away, his eyes caught Hadley’s swollen face, and a heavy frown pulled at his expression.

During this time, Eric slipped in and out of consciousness. His vision dimmed before flickering back, and the pounding in his skull spread from the place where he had struck the wall.

Fresh chapters just uploaded g?lnσν?s?c?m

He clenched his jaw, trying to gather his thoughts. Where was he? Still trapped in the elevator?

Nothing but darkness surrounded him. The space felt strange yet familiar all the same.

His body rocked faintly, as though he were being carried or moved.

“Didn’t think it would be this easy!” a low, muffled voice muttered close by.

Whose voice was that?

Eric tried to lift his eyelids, but they remained stubbornly shut.

A low laugh slipped past someone’s lips, their breath brushing against his ear.

“You ought to thank your woman. If not for her, snaring the great Mr. Scott would never have gone this smoothly.”

A sharp smack landed across Eric’s cheek.

“Look at you!” The voice sharpened, full of venom.

“You wanted my death? Then let’s see who ends up in the grave first! Hand me the rope!”

“Here!”

Even through the haze, Eric felt rough cords cinching around his arms and legs, cutting into his flesh.

Fingers clamped down on his jaw, prying his mouth open.

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.

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