Chapter 27

Including this incident, I only had a rough understanding of it.

I knew those people were all fired, but I didn't know exactly how Killian explained it to them.

But I knew each of them received a pretty good severance package.

So I asked Anderson, "Did they leave the company because the severance pay was generous?"

Anderson's expression changed, becoming somewhat complicated. "Maybe, at least from what I know, most people who left the company were like that."

Those who left the company without hesitation, of course, did so because the terms Killian offered were good enough.

Giving them a large sum of money to live worry-free for the rest of their lives, without having to work as regular employees at the company - most people would probably agree to that.

Luca beside me also picked up on something. "Taking a sum of money you can't spend and not having to face death threats - sounds like a pretty good deal indeed."

I glanced at Luca, my hands clenched tightly together, and continued asking Anderson, "What about the others? Wasn't there a single one who wanted to seek justice for my father?"

Hearing me say this, Anderson's expression immediately became agitated. "A large portion of your father's loyal subordinates actually went to demand the truth and an explanation, but they were all dealt with by Camorra!"

"Do you think your father really left no subordinates behind after all these years? It's just that he's gone, so he couldn't protect those people!"

Hearing this, my heart felt like it was being cut by knives.

But the fact that some people still wanted to seek justice for my father after his death moved me.

Yet they sacrificed themselves like that, which made me hate Killian even more.

I took a deep breath and was about to speak, but strong emotions blocked my throat. I covered my mouth.

Thinking about how they were coerced and bribed back then, tacitly allowing my father's accident and the entire family's renewal.

I found it ironic, wanted to laugh, but when I opened my mouth, I wanted to cry instead.

Seeing my emotional state, Luca took over for me. "What about you? Did you realize their conspiracy and resign on your own?"

Anderson indicated, "Not entirely. Actually, I had a feeling all along that you would come looking for me."

Anderson then told me that after the incident at the company, he actually felt something was wrong right away and originally wanted to ask Killian about it.

But he accidentally overheard a phone call Killian was making outside the office door.

In that phone call, Killian said the plan had succeeded and the company would soon become his.

"That's when I understood that this whole accident was related to him. So before he came to me, I submitted my resignation to the company first."

The facts were of course as Anderson expected - the company gave him a very high severance payment.

He sighed at me, his eyes sad and full of pleading. "Ms. Lacey, I know I wasn't brave enough, that I'm a coward. Even after hearing that phone call, I didn't do anything. But their entire organization is terrifying!"

"I have family, children. I couldn't risk their lives. Even though all these years I've had to live alone in Florida, with my wife and children not here, this is protection for them."

Hearing this, my heart felt even more bitter.

Right, given Killian's cruel way of doing things, how could he not have laid any groundwork?

Perhaps those employees who left the company without looking back also made that choice because he threatened them with their families.

I covered my face as tears slipped through my fingers.

I only heard Luca and Anderson continue talking. Luca asked if he had any written evidence to prove what he was saying wasn't false.

To this, Anderson's answer was clearly negative. "If I had any written evidence back then, I probably wouldn't be alive today."

"Do you think everything calmed down after I moved to Florida? It didn't."

During these years living in Florida, he had actually been tracked down repeatedly!

Hearing this, I looked up and met Luca's eyes.

That meant Killian actually knew Anderson's address.

He would even send people to investigate from time to time!

So our original plan wasn't as foolproof as we thought.

That meant Killian would know I was here much faster than I expected!

Because of this realization, Luca and I didn't delay. After asking a few more key questions, we hurriedly left Anderson's house.

Although we quickly realized this danger and left Anderson's house, the car had barely been on the road for five minutes when we encountered trouble.

Luca was driving while watching behind us, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Someone's following us."

Hearing this, my heart tightened. "Who?"

I instinctively wanted to look through the rearview mirror, but the next second Vivian pressed my neck down, making me curl up below the seat.

At the same time, a silenced pistol bullet came through the car window.

When the glass shattered, I almost screamed.

All these years, although Killian had been training me, trying to cultivate me into the most useful socialite.

But there was one thing I still had no way to access and gain experience in.

That was fighting and combat.

I had taught myself self-defense and hidden various small blades in my jewelry for emergencies.

But I just hadn't had the chance to witness real gunfights.

In a daze, I suddenly thought of the scene when Virio took me to watch underground fighting last time.

Was it then that he realized I was a flower protected in a greenhouse, needing to experience more of this world's cruelty?

Another pistol shot came from behind.

Luca sat in the front seat. His seat blocked his head well, but hearing the commotion behind, he couldn't help cursing. "Damn it, we should have left earlier!"

Vivian and I curled up in the back seat, trying not to let our bodies rise above the seat, dodging while my brain raced.

If Killian could react this quickly, he should have called me.

In his view, I was raised by him, and just a few words from him could make me obediently go back, because that's how I'd always acted in front of him all these years.

Regarding various family matters, I had asked before, but his answers were always evasive.

I hadn't shown any distrust.

My previous behavior hadn't been abnormal either.

Therefore, being hunted this time, I didn't think it was Killian's arrangement.

"I still have a project in hand right now. Based on the situation, before this project is completely finished, he shouldn't go to such great lengths to silence me," I said.