Chapter 340 Dispute

Chapter 344 Resolving Future Troubles

"Rachel didn't lie to me." Amy's tone grew firmer. "She took me in when I was at my lowest, taught me, protected me. Taking back what belongs to her is completely justified. She didn't even ask for the portion that the York family gained later—only what originally belonged to Frederick. She also paid for most of my mom's medical expenses and arranged my future life. These are things you, as a father, never thought to do for Mom and me when you had the means."

Looking at Yale's face instantly stiffen and turn ashen, she continued: "I came to see you today not because I believe what you say, and not to hear you badmouth my cousin. I just came to tell you about Mom's situation, and to... put an end to this."

Yale stared at her hard, as if he didn't recognize Amy at all.

"Dad," Amy said finally, her tone carrying a trace of weariness but unusually resolute, "you still have a long time in here. If you have any conscience left, reflect on what you've done—to Uncle and Aunt, to my cousin, to Mom, and to your own conscience. Mom and I will start a new life. You... take care of yourself."

Having said her piece, she no longer looked at Yale's face of disbelief turning to twisted anger. She stood up and pressed the button to end the visit.

The guard came in and led Yale, who still wanted to say something, away.

Yale turned back, glaring viciously at Amy's retreating figure, his eyes full of resentment, cursing loudly.

Through the glass, his curses couldn't be heard by those outside. Amy didn't look back, keeping her spine straight as she walked out of the visiting room step by step.

The sun gradually sank below the horizon. Rachel, having temporarily finished her work, leaned back wearily in her chair, yet a dark cloud always hung over her heart.

On the surface, everything was developing in a positive direction: the Lancaster Family threat was basically eliminated, Sebastian was dead, Efrain was sent to prison by Brandon, the Lancaster Group assets were smoothly placed under trusteeship; Original Aspiration's IPO went smoothly, and the wedding with Brandon was being intensively prepared; the York family's old accounts were settled, recovering what was rightfully theirs, and Amy and Anna were properly taken care of.

Even David, one of the most difficult opponents, had been thoroughly disgraced under Brandon's fierce attack and fled in panic.

However, it was precisely David's escape that became a thorn in Rachel's heart that couldn't be removed.

She knew Brandon had forces overseas tracking him down, but David had once been a powerful figure with multiple hideouts and endless means of concealment.

As long as David was alive, still breathing in some dark corner, Rachel couldn't truly rest easy.

She couldn't forget David's sticky gaze toward her, mixed with greed and possessiveness, couldn't forget David openly supporting Tessa's provocative appearance at Harold's funeral, and especially couldn't forget that the rare poison Tessa used to attack was very likely connected to some dark channels behind David.

David was sinister, vindictive, and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

He was now like a homeless dog, but who knew if he might be like a hibernating venomous snake, suddenly awakening one day with even crazier hatred to strike back?

She couldn't give this venomous snake a chance to catch his breath, couldn't let Arthur's future be shrouded in such a shadow, and couldn't let the hard-won happy life she and Brandon had contain such an uncontrollable fatal risk.

Brandon had his own plans and methods, perhaps more inclined to use political and business networks to force David into a corner or extradite him back for trial.

But that would take time and had variables.

What Rachel wanted was absolute, complete, permanent elimination.

She walked to the safe, entered the password, and took out an encrypted satellite phone with no markings from the deepest part.

This was the only contact method Anouk had left Rachel after they reached a deal—Rachel helped persuade Anouk's mother Quinn to accept parole—with a promise: "You did what you promised. I owe you a favor. In the future, if you need my help, you can use this to contact me once. Only once."

Rachel had accepted it at the time without much thought.

Rachel didn't like getting too involved with people like Anouk who walked the edge of darkness.

But at this moment, Rachel believed it was time to use this deal.

To eliminate future troubles permanently.

She walked into the soundproof chamber of her office and dialed that single number.

The signal went through multiple encrypted transfers, and the waiting tone was a long and eerie silence.

About a minute later, the call was answered.

Rachel took a deep breath, her voice steady and clear: "It's me, Rachel."

"Didn't expect you to contact me so soon." Anouk's voice came through. "Tell me, what trouble have you run into?"

"David Finley." Rachel uttered the name. "Former City A councilman, fled overseas due to scandal, current whereabouts unknown. I need you to find him, and then make him disappear forever."

Rachel spoke bluntly and coldly, without any beating around the bush.

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before Anouk's voice came again: "Are you sure you want to use this one chance for this?"

"Positive." Rachel didn't hesitate. "While he's alive, he's a constant threat to me and my family. I don't want to gamble on his mercy or forgetfulness, and I don't want my child to face his possible revenge someday in the future. This deal is worth it."

Another brief silence.

"Information." Anouk said.

Rachel was well prepared. She provided several pieces of information that Brandon's side currently had about David's possible hiding places.

These were highly classified, the result of Brandon's team's extensive investigation. She had used her status as fiancée and sufficient reasons to obtain them.

"These are the known leads. Finding him will require your skills. As for payment, besides honoring your favor, I'll pay an additional ten million dollars in two installments—half when you locate him, the other half when elimination is confirmed. The funds can be paid through any absolutely secure channel you specify." Rachel sweetened the deal.

She knew that for a hitman of Anouk's caliber, favors were useful, but sufficient money would better ensure efficiency and thoroughness.

"Within forty-eight hours, I'll give you initial feedback." Anouk didn't haggle, directly giving a timeline. "The payment channel will be communicated separately. Keep this communication method open."

The call ended, and the chamber returned to silence.

Rachel held the slightly warm satellite phone, her palm somewhat sweaty.

She knew she had just crossed an important line.

She walked to the window, looking at her slightly pale reflection in the glass.

There was a slight tremor in her heart, but more than that was a calmness after resolution. To protect those she loved, she was willing to let her hands be stained with necessary shadows.

Brandon had shielded her from countless storms; now it was her turn to use her own methods to clear the final obstacle for him, for their future.

She locked the satellite phone back in the safe, as if locking away a secret, and also locking away a necessary sin.