Chapter 103
This anxiety wasn't because she cared so much about Jacob, her feelings for him were complicated and hadn't reached that point yet. Rather, it stemmed from a fear: the predetermined fate was repeating itself, and this would completely derail her revenge plan.
If Jacob became disabled in both legs again, the Smith Family would inevitably fall into chaos. Various forces, including the Aiden Family, the Moretti family, Pacquiao, and even the newly arrived Sawyer, would all pounce like sharks that had smelled blood to tear and bite.
When that happened, her plan to use the Smith Family's power for revenge while protecting herself and Jack would be seriously threatened. She might not even be able to protect herself.
She couldn't let this happen, and she definitely wouldn't just stand by and watch the Aiden Family gloat like in her previous life.
"Lynx," she spoke quietly into the communicator, "find out how Richard got injured, the time, the location, as fast as possible."
"Yes." Lynx responded immediately.
Elizabeth added another instruction, "Also, keep a close eye on Henry and the Aiden Family's recent movements, especially any unusual contact they have with people inside the Smith Family, or with Pacquiao and the Moretti family."
"Understood."
The car slowly pulled out of the hospital and merged into traffic.
Elizabeth leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, and her mind raced.
She needed to confirm whether Richard's injury was really Jacob's doing.
If it were, then retaliation against Jacob was likely already brewing, or might have even started.
She had to find a way to warn Jacob, or at least get ahead of the situation to avoid getting caught up in it. If possible, she even wanted to use this storm to advance her own plans.
But how to warn him? Tell him directly? With what reason?
Saying she was reborn and knew he'd get his kneecaps smashed for breaking Richard's leg?
That was too absurd. Jacob would never believe it, and it would only deepen his suspicion of her.
Maybe she could approach it from a different angle.
For instance, warn him to watch out for Richard possibly colluding with outside forces, and that there might be retaliation against him soon. That sounded more reasonable, but would also need evidence to back it up.
Evidence...
Elizabeth opened her eyes, her gaze sharp.
Lynx was very efficient. Not long after Elizabeth returned to Smith Manor, preliminary information came through.
[Noel, confirmed. Richard was shot above the right kneecap this morning at his mid-level villa. The bullet went through, injury is serious. The person who did it was most likely Jacob. Witnesses say Jacob broke into the villa with his men, followed by gunshots and Richard's screams. The scene has been controlled by Jacob's people, information is locked down, but Richard was secretly sent to City Hospital for emergency treatment.]
So it really was him.
Elizabeth looked at the text on the screen, and the last bit of hope in her heart completely vanished.
Jacob had really done it, and faster and more ruthlessly than she'd expected.
The trajectory of her previous life was unfolding with alarming similarity.
She had to do something.
In the evening, Jacob returned to the manor, his expression colder than usual, surrounded by an aura of violence that hadn't yet dissipated. Clearly, dealing with Richard had cost him considerable energy and put him in an extremely foul mood.
During dinner, the atmosphere was unusually silent.
Jack seemed to sense this oppressive mood too, obediently keeping his head down and eating quietly, not daring to make a sound.
After the meal, Jacob went straight to his study.
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, but still followed.
She knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Pushing the door open, Jacob was standing by the liquor cabinet pouring a drink. Hearing the sound, he glanced back at her, his eyes indifferent, "What is it?"
Elizabeth walked to the desk but didn't sit down immediately. She carefully began, "Today at the hospital, I saw Richard being rushed to the emergency. His injuries seemed quite serious."
Jacob's drinking motion paused slightly. He looked up, his unfathomable dark eyes staring directly at her, his tone emotionless, "And?"
"I was just a bit surprised." Elizabeth met his gaze, trying to make her tone sound like ordinary concern or curiosity. "I heard he was injured at his villa? I wonder who would be so bold..."
"Elizabeth," Jacob put down his glass, interrupting her, his voice low with a hint of impatience, "I don't like beating around the bush. Whatever you want to say, just say it."
His directness caught Elizabeth off guard.
She was indeed testing the waters, trying to find a gentle entry point.
But clearly, Jacob wasn't buying it.
"Alright, I'll be direct." Elizabeth raised her head, looking at him with clear eyes. "Mr. Smith, I know Richard probably did something that crossed your line, and punishing him is understandable. But using such an extreme method, breaking his leg, isn't that going too far?"
Jacob narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming sharp and dangerous, "Too far? Compared to what he did, I just breaking one of his legs is already showing mercy for the sake of blood relations."
"I know." Elizabeth nodded. "I understand he deserved it. But, Mr. Smith, have you considered whether this kind of approach might make other people inside the Smith Family afraid?"
"If someone can do this even to his own older brother, won't others worry that if they make even a small mistake someday, their fate will be worse? Excessive fear can sometimes corrupt loyalty, even breed betrayal."
She tried to make her words sound like advice coming from concern for the Smith Family's stability and Jacob's own safety.
After listening, Jacob let out a cold laugh, full of mockery, "Fear? Betrayal? Anyone who dares to have an opinion, anyone who dares to betray, just kill them. The Smith Family doesn't need wavering people, much less scheming trash. Ruling through fear is far more effective than so-called mercy and family affection. People who are soft-hearted died out long ago."
His words were cold and resolute, revealing the absolute creed of survival of the fittest in the underworld.
In his eyes, strength, intimidation, and absolute control were the only truths of survival and rule.
Sentiment and scruples would only become weaknesses.
Elizabeth looked at the terrifying coldness and decisiveness in his eyes, knowing that further persuasion would be useless.
She couldn't change his way of doing things, much less change his deeply ingrained beliefs.
She let out a soft sigh. The sigh was light, but carried a sense of helplessness, and a trace of complex emotion that even she herself hadn't noticed.
In her previous life, had he also believed so firmly in his own power, only to end up with crippled legs and a destabilized Smith Family?
Sometimes being too sharp actually made you a sitting target.
Jacob keenly caught that sigh, and the complex meaning that flashed through her eyes.