Chapter 96

Lucas's POV

"No, you're wrong. I don't hate Eleanor's father at all, because I saw his end coming a long time ago. I'm going to punish him hard and make him pay for what he's done. When I think about how miserable he'll be, I can barely contain my laughter. Why would I hate him?"

I looked at Ethan with a slight smile. His eyes darted away, and he pressed his lips together unnaturally.

In just those few sentences, his lips had dried and cracked, with red streaks of blood seeping through—quite disturbing to look at.

Ethan was very good at hiding his emotions, but even so, I could still catch a flash of panic in his eyes.

After all these years, they should pay the price for this.

I couldn't forgive everything they did. They killed my father and wouldn't let my mother go. They destroyed everything I had. I wouldn't allow any of them to slip through the net.

I reached out and placed my hand on Ethan's shoulder, speaking slowly, "I remember my mother received a letter before she killed herself. I don't know what was in it—she took the letter with her when she left. But I found out that this letter was mailed from overseas."

Ethan pretended to stay calm. He cleared his throat, looking at me with a hint of coldness and resentment, "What does that prove? You're not going to use the fact that I've been living overseas as a reason to claim that letter was from me to your mother, are you?"

"Of course I wouldn't say that."

I lifted my head, looking into Ethan's eyes, finding a spot in his murky gaze that hadn't been polluted yet, and stomped on it hard twice, "I just want to remind you that anything you've done leaves traces."

I wiped my hands with a tissue, as if I'd touched something dirty, "I'll make sure you have no chance to explain, and that you admit and regret what you've done."

Ethan's gaze kept falling behind me. He smiled and defended himself, "The way you talk, you'd think I was some kind of monster. Lucas, you can't wrongly accuse me like this. I'm a law-abiding citizen who never does anything illegal."

I sneered coldly, about to press further when Eleanor walked over with champagne, "I just saw Tasha. She said Campbell's not doing well."

My eyes widened, "Is he dead?"

"I don't know. Maybe he was shocked by something. Tasha asked me to tell you she hopes you can bring your private doctor to check on him."

Eleanor looked at me apologetically, "I didn't want to disturb you, but if I hadn't come, Tasha would have come to find you herself. She looked really anxious—there's probably something else going on. You should go see what's happening."

After Eleanor finished speaking, I vaguely saw a familiar figure approaching in the distance—it looked like Tasha.

I turned to look at Ethan and reached out my hand, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Vance. I'm afraid we can't continue our chat today. When we have another chance, we can discuss things from the past more thoroughly."

I deliberately emphasized those last five words. Ethan's shoulders twitched slightly as he said, "I'll be waiting."

With that, Ethan turned and walked away.

After just two steps, he suddenly turned back and walked to Eleanor's side. He took a glass of champagne and said in her ear, "Don't forget what I told you. I'm going to visit your father today."

Eleanor frowned, looking at Ethan with some displeasure, "You can just tell my father directly. You don't need to tell me specifically. I don't live at home anymore. You could also tell Isabella—I'm sure she'd welcome you warmly."

Ethan looked dismissively in the direction Eleanor was pointing and laughed, "She's just an adopted daughter. She's not worthy of talking to me."

Eleanor seemed a bit troubled and instinctively looked at me.

I pulled her behind me, facing Ethan directly, "She's going home with me tonight. Mr. Vance, we have things to do, so we'll excuse ourselves."

I pulled Eleanor's hand and turned toward Tasha.

Eleanor kept looking back, seeming very interested in this person Ethan.

I watched her constantly changing expression from the corner of my eye and reminded her in a low voice, "You'd better not be alone with Ethan behind my back. You can't handle him."

Eleanor lowered her head. I felt a bit guilty and said gruffly, "I won't be alone with him."

I glanced at her sideways. Eleanor was completely brushing me off.

I grabbed her hand, speaking one word at a time, afraid that if I didn't say each word clearly, she might misunderstand, "Eleanor, I'm not joking with you. Don't be curious about Ethan at all. If you really have something to ask him, you'd better let me go with you to see him. Understand?"

Ethan was very cunning. The evidence I had showed he's one of the people who killed my parents. The fact that he'd gotten away with it for so many years and now dared to come back means he'd already taken care of all his connections.

At least all the evidence that might point to him has probably been destroyed before I could find it. I didn't know how thoroughly he'd prepared.

But just from my conversation with him, I realized how deep this person runs.

Someone as guileless and innocent as Eleanor could easily become a tool for him to use.

I'd been watching how Ethan looked at Eleanor the whole time—he definitely had other plans for her.

I didn't have any other demands of Eleanor right now. I just hoped she could be obedient and protect herself well, and at least not cause me trouble at this critical moment.

I gripped Eleanor's hand tightly, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted. Even when I saw Tasha, my face was still dark.

When Tasha saw my hand clasped with Eleanor's, she froze for a few seconds, but she didn't dwell on that emotion. Instead, she looked at me anxiously and said, "Where's your private doctor?"

"The timing was too tight. I didn't have time to call him over."

Tasha looked me up and down suspiciously, "Lucas, are you planning not to save Campbell?"

I narrowed my eyes and didn't deny it.

Tasha walked anxiously to my side, her voice tight as she voiced her concern, "You have to save him. The surveillance here caught you saying something to Campbell that caused him to become like this. If something really happens to him, you won't be able to escape responsibility."

No wonder Tasha insisted Eleanor call me over—he only got sick after I left.

In that case, this really was a troublesome matter.

If he really just died like this, I'd end up being the murderer instead.

I looked at Tasha, one hand stroking my chin, hesitating for a long time before asking, "The surveillance here is all intact and working, right?"

Tasha was smart and instantly understood what I meant. She crossed her arms and didn't hesitate to reject my idea, "If the surveillance breaks, then whoever has an accident becomes my responsibility. This is my party. I absolutely won't allow anyone to have an accident here."

Tasha's hand climbed onto my shoulder, giving it a few light squeezes, "Lucas, I know you want to leave him to die, but don't let him die at my place. Once he's out that door, you can do whatever you want with him."