Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Days of continuous rain had shrouded the city in an inescapable gloom.

Since Arthur had begun speaking, this somewhat once-cold estate had finally taken on a hint of warmth and the feeling of home.

Sawyer stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the second-floor study, a warm cup of coffee in his hand. His deep gaze pierced through the curtain of rain, vigilantly sweeping every inch of the estate's perimeter.

As someone in the thick of it, he understood better than anyone that this brief calm was merely the quiet before the storm.

"Sawyer, what are you looking at?" Scarlett walked in carrying a plate of cut fruit, her voice soft.

She wore a soft cream-colored knit sweater, her hair casually pinned up. Though her complexion was still somewhat pale, the depression and deathly stillness between her brows had been gradually dispelled by the children's laughter.

Sawyer withdrew his gaze and smiled gently at Scarlett. "Nothing. Just seeing when the rain will stop. Did Arthur take his medicine today?"

"He did. Orla's keeping him company building blocks in the living room." Scarlett set the fruit plate on the desk and walked to stand beside him, looking at the rainy scene outside.

"Sawyer, thank you." Scarlett looked at him earnestly. "Without you, I don't know if I could have held on until now..."

She glanced at the seemingly ordinary perimeter wall. In reality, it had been fitted with the most advanced infrared sensing and blast-proof systems.

This fortress-like protection gave her and the children the strongest sense of security.

"Don't be silly, There's no need to thank me." Sawyer reached out, wanting to ruffle her hair out of habit. but his hand stopped halfway. With restraint, he pulled it back and simply patted her shoulder lightly. "As long as you three are safe, everything I've done is worth it."

Scarlett lowered her eyes, concealing the flash of complex emotions.

She owed Sawyer too much. So much she might never repay it in this lifetime.

But she knew clearly in her heart—toward Sawyer, she felt only gratitude, not that kind of soul-burning love that transcends life and death.

"I won't keep hiding under your protection like a clinging vine." Scarlett lifted her head, a heart-stopping sharpness flashing in her eyes.

She walked to the desk and opened her laptop.

On the screen were strings of complex code.

"The things Thaddeus left me aren't just for show." Scarlett's slender fingers flew across the keyboard. "I've used the funds he gave me to contact some special connections I accumulated back in my voice acting days through covert overseas channels."

The "special connections" she mentioned weren't just fans, but also some top-tier hackers and intelligence dealers hidden deep in that world.

The name "Echo" had far more influence overseas than Thaddeus could imagine.

"Ulysses thinks he covered his tracks well, but my people still managed to hack into parts of his consortium's peripheral systems." Scarlett hit the final enter key. A progress bar popped up on screen. "I found key evidence of his involvement in transnational money laundering and illegal control of overseas media conglomerates."

"I've packaged and encrypted this evidence and anonymously sent it to Interpol and several major anti-money laundering agencies."

Scarlett watched the progress bar hit 100%, a cold smile curving her lips. "He likes playing capital games? Then let him taste what it's like to be globally wanted with all his assets frozen!"

Deep admiration and heartache showed in Sawyer's eyes.

This was the real Scarlett.

Not a delicate flower kept in a greenhouse, but a strong rose that could stand proud in wind and rain and deliver fatal blows to enemies.

Night fell like ink. Rain poured down.

On a secluded mountain road outside Sapphire Hill Estate.

A black SUV with no headlights sat quietly by the roadside.

Thaddeus leaned back in the driver's seat, half his body hidden in darkness. Only the glowing red tip of his cigarette flickered faintly.

He hadn't slept properly in half a month.

In the business world, he was like a tireless madman, leading the entire Getty Group in a suicidal fighting style, clinging relentlessly to Ulysses.

But when night deepened and all the noise receded, when bone-deep loneliness and regret surged like a tide—

He would drive here.

Not daring to approach. Not daring to disturb.

Only able to quietly watch through the car window at the faint light glowing from that estate.

As long as that light was still on, as long as he knew she and the children were safe—he had the strength to keep fighting in this hellish business war.

"Mr. Getty." The passenger door opened. Aiden, dressed in black and soaked through, climbed in, bringing a heavy smell of blood.

"Cleaned up?" Thaddeus's voice held no inflection.

"Cleaned up." Aiden wiped rain from his face. "There were two groups. One was a scouts Ulysses sent trying to sabotage the estate's perimeter security system. The other... seemed to be some desperadoes. Crude methods, but heavy firepower."

"Twelve people total. All silently eliminated by our men in the woods two kilometers from the estate."

Aiden paused, hesitating before continuing. "Mr. Getty, Mr. Adams's security level is actually quite high. You personally lead men to sweep these trash every night, your body..."

"My body is fine." Thaddeus cut him off coldly, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray. "No matter how tight Sawyer's security is, it can't guard against vipers hiding in the shadows. I can't gamble with Scarlett and the children's safety."

He looked at that faint light, tenderness, and resolve flashing in his dark eyes. "What I owe her—I'll never repay in this lifetime."

"The only thing I can do now is use my life to shield them from all open and hidden attacks."

At the same time.

Downtown Silverlight City, the prosperous business CBD.

Two deafening explosions in succession tore through the stormy night's silence!

Soaring flames and thick smoke instantly consumed an iconic building!

It was one of Sawyer's most profitable properties in Majestic City.

The explosion triggered a violent chain reaction. Surrounding streets instantly plunged into chaos and panic. Sirens and fire truck wails pierced the sky.

In the study at Majestic City estate.

Sawyer's phone began screaming frantically.

"Mr. Adams! Terrible news! Our Times Square downtown location has suffered an unexplained explosion. Police and fire departments have responded, but the fire is completely out of control!" His assistant's voice was urgent on the line. "Some media are reporting the explosion may be related to certain irregular operations by our group! The board demands you immediately appear to take charge!"

Sawyer's face turned deathly pale.

"What's wrong?" Scarlett noticed his alarm and asked urgently.

"There's been a chain explosion downtown..." Sawyer bit out through clenched teeth.

This was absolutely no accident!

"What?" Scarlett gasped. "How could this happen? Are the casualties severe?"

"Very severe." Sawyer took a deep breath. "Scarlett, this is clearly aimed at me. Ulysses, that lunatic—he's retaliating because I hacked his system!"

"I must get to the scene immediately to handle the crisis, or the entire group will face catastrophe—it could even implicate Mr. Campbell!"

"Go. There's a security system here—don't worry about me." Scarlett understood the gravity and said immediately.

"But..." Sawyer looked at the intensifying rain outside. That uneasy feeling in his heart grew stronger.

Leaving at a time like this, leaving Scarlett and the children here alone—how could he feel at ease?

"No buts. The big picture matters most." Scarlett draped a coat over him. "Sawyer, you've already done more than enough for us. Go handle your business. I promise we'll be fine."

Sawyer looked at her deeply before finally nodding. "Wait for me. I'll come back as soon as I'm done!"

On a hidden slope not far from the estate.

Inside a shabby black van.

Lavinia watched Sawyer's car drive away from the estate. A bone-chilling smile split her face.

"Scarlett, your deadline has come!"