Chapter 562:

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“Perhaps Hayley couldn’t build a power base while locked inside Unit One Prison. But don’t forget, Emely Todd, the woman behind Pioneer Group, is her closest friend.” Rendell’s voice dropped lower. “If Emely’s loyalty is as deep as it seems, she would have spent these past four years quietly building influence on Hayley’s behalf. The moment Hayley walked free, Pioneer Group became her weapon, loaded and aimed straight at the two of you.”

Rendell’s reasoning steadily chipped away at Harold and Emmalyn’s composure. They were beginning to understand that they had been unforgivably arrogant, never once treating Hayley as a genuine threat. But looking at it now, ever since Hayley’s release, she had torn through their lives like a hurricane, leaving everything they prided themselves on in ruins.

Rendell snapped his Zippo shut, sighing. “What I’m curious about is this: Emely isn’t a brilliant strategist. So how, in just four years, did she manage to elevate Pioneer Group to such heights?”

“I remember now,” Emmalyn exclaimed, her voice pitching higher, “all those times I was publicly humiliated… Hayley always knew my secrets ahead of time. She must have hacked my phone, my computer, everything. That’s the only way she could have exposed me so completely.”

“So it was her. It was her all along.” She was growing hysterical. “Hayley is still worthless! If it weren’t for some elite hacker pulling the strings, there’s no way I would have lost to her.”

Rendell glanced at Emmalyn, saw her hysterical state, and knew she still hadn’t grasped the gap between herself and Hayley. If someone that skilled was willing to be used by her, her own charm and appeal couldn’t be poor.

“Mr. Morgan, a piece of advice,” Rendell said, his gaze shifting to Harold. “Have Letitia Sutton watched. She’s the key to all of this, and not just for you.”

Harold frowned, resentment flickering across his face. But the man was right. Letitia wasn’t just their key to breaking the stalemate. She was Hayley’s, too.

That night, on the east side of the city, a private villa blazed with light. Through the windows, silhouettes moved and mingled. Anyone unaware of the truth would have thought the owner was hosting a party.

But those in the know understood this was Harold’s private hospital, disguised as a villa, with top-notch medical equipment inside.

Hayley hid in the shadows, staring at the villa ahead, her eyes cold. “The security here is even heavier than I expected.”

ѕ𝘁o𝗿i𝗲𝗌 𝗒𝗈𝘶 𝗐о𝗇’𝗍 pu𝗍 𝖽𝗼𝗐𝘯 𝘰ո 𝘨𝗮𝘭𝗻o𝘷𝗲𝘭𝘀.𝘤𝘰𝘮

“Hayley, do you think they’ve noticed?” Emely whispered. “If our operation has been leaked, I’m afraid this could be a trap prepared just for us. The moment we break in, we’ll inevitably be ambushed.”

Hayley tapped her temple, a cold laugh escaping her lips. “Give the order. Abort the mission.”

“Hayley?” Emely stared at her, baffled.

Hayley said enigmatically, “With the current defenses on this villa, it’s impossible for us to sneak in unnoticed. If Harold gets even a little alarmed, tomorrow’s good show won’t happen as scheduled.”

“So we do nothing?”

“No.” Hayley’s smile sharpened. “I want to feign weakness, to make them think victory is already in their grasp.” She stretched her five fingers toward the villa, then clenched them tightly. “Then we hit them when they least expect it.”

Emely saw the eager expression on Hayley’s face and knew this woman was about to stir up trouble again.

Just then, Hayley’s phone buzzed. It was Kaden Evans.

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