Chapter 47: Internal Strife in the Drake Family

The Drake Mansion, main house, William's bedroom.

"Bang!"

William smashed the water glass from his bedside onto the floor, sending shards flying everywhere.

"Falcon Tech... destroyed?"

His eyes widened, his whole body trembling. "We poured tens of billions into that! That was..."

Before he could finish.

William suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, staining the white sheets red.

"Mr. Drake!"

The butler turned pale with shock and quickly pressed the emergency call button.

"Doctor! Get a doctor, quick!"

William felt a sharp pain in his chest, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out completely.

Meanwhile, in Evan's study.

"Falcon Tech is destroyed?"

Evan stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of red wine, his face showing no emotion.

Behind him, his trusted subordinate stood respectfully.

"Yes. According to our intelligence, Leo did it himself."

"Leo..."

Evan gently swirled his wine glass, the crimson liquid tracing elegant arcs along the sides.

A cold smile curved his lips.

The Falcon Tech controlled fusion project was something he had orchestrated to seize in the first place.

Back then, he had designed that perfect plan, driven Luke to his death, and stolen the technology.

It was his greatest achievement within the family.

The main reason William valued him so highly was because of this project.

But now... the project was destroyed.

"Interesting."

Evan suddenly laughed, a cold laugh.

"How did Leo find out about Falcon Tech? That's the family's highest secret."

His subordinate hesitated. "Could it be..."

"It's Jonathan."

Evan cut him off, turning around, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"In the entire family, fewer than five people know the details about Falcon Tech. Besides Father and me, there's only Jonathan, Ivy, and the butler."

"Father's in the hospital, and the butler has been with our family for thirty years; he couldn't betray us."

"That woman Ivy has always only cared about politics, no interest in business."

"That leaves only..."

Evan's gaze turned dangerous.

"Jonathan!"

He pronounced the name one syllable at a time.

"That bastard, competing with me for the inheritance on the surface, but secretly colluding with outsiders!"

"What's he trying to do? Destroy my achievements so I'll fall out of favor with Father?"

His subordinate kept his head down, not daring to make a sound.

Evan stood by the window, looking at the gloomy sky outside the estate.

After a long while, he slowly spoke.

"Contact our people in New York."

"Mr. Drake, you mean..."

"Since Jonathan dares to betray the family, he can't blame me for being ruthless."

A flash of crazed killing intent crossed Evan's eyes.

"Move quickly. Make sure he's silenced for good."

"Yes!"

Late at night, eleven o'clock.

New York, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, top-floor presidential suite.

Leo sat on the sofa with a glass of whiskey, looking at documents on his tablet.

It was data copied from Falcon Tech.

Just then.

"Click."

Someone opened the door from the outside.

Leo didn't even look up.

"Come in."

Suddenly, a seductive laugh came from the doorway as someone pushed the door open.

Ivy wore a black lace nightgown, the hem barely covering the top of her thighs, two thin straps hanging loosely on her shoulders as if they might slip off at any moment.

She swayed gracefully as she entered, barefoot, holding a glass of red wine.

"Mr. Ashford, I've come to bring you intelligence, and you won't even look up. That really hurts."

Ivy walked straight around behind the sofa, casually setting the wine glass on the edge of the table, then leaned down from behind and wrapped her arms around Leo's solid waist.

She rested her chin in the hollow of his shoulder, her red lips brushing his ear as she said, "Everything's going according to your plan, isn't it? Reaper."

Leo closed the tablet and set it on the table. "Get to business."

"No sense of romance."

Ivy hummed softly and let go.

She gracefully came around to face him, but didn't sit down. Instead, she perched alluringly on the armrest, her long legs crossed, the view beneath her hem teasing, as she brought her wine glass to his lips. "Try it. 1982 Romanee-Conti, perfect for you."

Leo lowered his head and took a sip from her hand, then leaned back on the sofa. "So, what's Evan up to?"

"He's going crazy."

Ivy also took a sip of wine, set the glass on the table, then pulled out a cigarette from her purse. "Falcon Tech was what he cared about most. Now that you've burned it down, he's convinced Jonathan's behind it and is ready to make his move."

"I know!" Leo picked up his whiskey and took a light sip.

"Evan's side already suspects Jonathan leaked the intelligence."

Ivy exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Leo picked up his whiskey and took a light sip. "He's ready to make his move?"

"You're not surprised?"

Ivy raised an eyebrow.

"Expected."

Leo set down his glass. "Evan's no fool. Falcon Tech was his greatest achievement. Now that it's destroyed, he must be furious."

"So what do you plan to do?"

Ivy leaned in close, her red lips almost touching his ear, her voice dropping to an extremely low, seductive rasp. "Watch the tigers fight? Or... add fuel to the fire?"

Leo turned his head, looking into her deep eyes.

"Spread the word."

"What word?"

"Say that..."

A cold smile curved Leo's lips.

"Jonathan has been frequently meeting with Leo's people lately."

"Brilliant!"

Ivy understood instantly and burst into laughter that shook her whole body, leaning against Leo's shoulder. "When that happens, he'll definitely stop at nothing to kill Evan!"

"You're a devil, Leo."

"Brothers killing each other, escalating further and further."

"Go handle it," Leo said flatly.

"As you command, Leo."

Ivy stood up with a coquettish laugh, seemingly casually smoothing her slightly wrinkled hem, every movement full of allure.

But she didn't leave right away.

She turned around and suddenly knelt on one knee on the sofa beside him, one long leg resting against his thigh, seemingly by accident.

She braced her hands on the sofa back, trapping Leo between herself and the sofa, looking down at him from above.

"However..."

Her voice became enchanting and seductive. "I've helped you so much, don't you have some... reward for me?"

As she spoke, Ivy slowly leaned down, her red lips moving toward Leo's.

However.

Leo reached out and gently pressed his hand against her forehead, pushing her away.

"Go get some proper sleep."

"So heartless."

Ivy smiled and straightened up. "But that's okay. We have plenty of time ahead."

She turned and walked toward the door, her bare footsteps soft on the floor, her figure graceful.