Chapter 163 We’ll Meet Again

Chapter 163 We’ll Meet Again

The capsule earpiece remained silent—Eve was guarding against the possibility that their conversation could be intercepted through wireless technology.

The atmosphere grew tense, though no one brought the conflict out into the open.

The computer screen suddenly lit up.

Cecilia appeared impeccably dressed in an elegant evening gown, seated before her camera.

If you didn't know she was currently on the run, you'd think she was headed to a ball.

"Is this your idea of good faith? The Dobbins family has to take enormous risks to get you out, but you won't even show your face."

Cecilia waved her feather fan with a slightly helpless expression. "Ryan, you know better than I do what time it is. If I weren't careful, I'd already be locked up in a police station. Then what chance would you have to meet with me?"

"Don't worry, my people are all around you. If there's any danger, I'll notify you immediately."

With those words, Cecilia released a dangerous signal—a reminder to Tessa and Ryan that they were under her surveillance.

"Why don't you tell me about your plan first? Let me see if your method is actually reliable."

Fortunately, before leaving, Ryan had already prepared a fairly comprehensive plan. At least he wasn't completely exposed before Cecilia.

"The police have only detained Oliver so far. They haven't traced the forces behind him yet. For now, the Grey family is still safe. If you want to protect yourself, you'd better have the Grey family cut ties with domestic contacts immediately—at minimum, make sure Oliver can't implicate you."

Both Cecilia and the Grey family were extremely cautious people. They weren't foolish enough to immediately reveal their trump card to Oliver.

So the leads Oliver possessed were limited. It was only a matter of time before the police traced things back to Cecilia.

That window of time was her best chance to escape.

"Once everything is ready, we can use a private plane to get you out of Astoria. Since Zephyria and Astoria have an extradition treaty, Eden can serve as your hiding place. It's safe and comfortable enough. Ms. Grey can stay there as long as needed."

"When the time is right, we'll arrange for you to return to Silver Ridge District. Once you're back with the Grey family, your escape will be complete."

The Grey family could simply announce that Cecilia had never left Silver Ridge District. At first glance, it seemed like a perfect plan.

But Cecilia suddenly laughed from the other end of the computer connection, covering her mouth as her eyes curved with amusement.

It was impossible to tell what she was thinking.

Tessa's hands, resting on her thighs, began to sweat. The dampness seeped through her pants, clinging to her skin.

Ryan had designed this entire plan with the genuine intention of helping Cecilia escape, so from start to finish, it appeared flawless.

Cecilia had no better way to leave Astoria.

Just then, the capsule earpieces in both their ears crackled to life.

Eve's voice was grave and anguished.

"I just received word—Frank orchestrated an explosion at the house. Reports from the scene say that Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins... died in the fire."

Ryan's hand on the table trembled almost imperceptibly. He struggled to mask the emotion on his face, but he couldn't escape Cecilia's watchful eyes.

"Ryan, when you were scheming against me, didn't you consider that I'm also a living, breathing person who can scheme against others?"

"I wish Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins peace in heaven. They loved each other so much—going together to Eden, the place the Dobbins family relies on most, should count as a blessing, shouldn't it?"

Ryan's jaw twitched slightly. The news had clearly struck him hard.

"Let me explain what's unsatisfactory about your plan. From beginning to end, I'd have to leave Astoria through your channels, hide on your turf, and then be sent back to Silver Ridge District."

"According to your plan, I'd have to hide in Eden for at least six months. But once everything is exposed, the Grey family will face attacks from many sides in Silver Ridge District. By then, Silver Ridge District will be the Garcia family's territory."

"After it's all over and I'm sent back to Silver Ridge District, wouldn't that just expose me to danger? You want Tessa to deal with me, don't you, Ryan?"

Cecilia was no fool. She'd keenly detected the flaw in their plan and ruthlessly pointed it out.

"Well, this cat-and-mouse game is officially over. Ryan, I have no interest in playing with you anymore."

"Without the Dobbins family's help, there's no way you can leave Astoria."

Cecilia suddenly burst into wild laughter, her face radiating extreme satisfaction as her heavy gemstone earrings swayed.

"Ryan, you're the most naive person I've ever met."

"Never mind that you haven't even officially taken over the Dobbins family yet—you're not even in Zephyria. What makes you so confident you can control the whole situation?"

A bitter taste filled Ryan's mouth. He finally understood what he'd miscalculated.

Tessa simultaneously grasped the issue, her voice slightly out of control as she confronted Cecilia: "Your partner is Frank. You planned everything just to kill Mr. Dobbins?"

Frank, Cecilia, Oliver... As these threads connected, Tessa finally understood Frank's relationship with the Grey family.

They were bound together in life and death.

Frank needed the Grey family to help keep Ryan and Tessa in check. The Grey family needed Frank to eliminate the troublesome Brian.

From the moment Tessa and Ryan left Eden, everything had been under their control.

"You finally understand. But it's too late."

"Ryan, until we meet again."

Cecilia cut the connection. The computer screen displayed only Ryan and Tessa's faces, calm to the point of numbness.

Finally, Eve's voice came through the earpiece as she notified Ryan: "Mr. Williams, I've located Cecilia's position. She's only two miles away, at a nearby hotel."

Ryan's voice was unbearably bitter. He closed his eyes briefly.

"Send people to find her."

"Contact the house. I need to confirm my parents' status." Ryan's voice was heavy.

Eve fell silent. "We've lost contact with the house. The location signals for Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins and Sawyer are all gone."

Eve had been constantly monitoring everyone's biometric data at home. Not finding them meant the situation was extremely dangerous.

"Go find them! They can't just be gone that easily!"

Ryan's composure shattered, his eyes bloodshot. Tessa had never seen him so out of control.

"Ryan, it's me." Adam's voice came through the capsule earpiece, panicked as he called out to Ryan. "Get back here now. Frank is purging all of Mr. Dobbins' forces. You have to come back and take charge!"