Chapter 475
The hotel suite was bathed in dim golden light, creating an intimate atmosphere.
A masked man stood by the window, the uncovered half of his face strikingly handsome.
Gideon Blackwood held a woman close in his arms.
Then he saw it - a faint red dot flashing outside the window.
In one fluid motion, he tightened his grip on the woman and rolled them both off the bed.
A silenced bullet whizzed through the air, embedding itself where Gideon's head had been moments before.
The mattress now bore a smoking hole.
Two figures clad in black crashed through the window.
Their assassination attempt foiled, they immediately raised their weapons toward the masked man.
But Gideon was faster.
His gun appeared as if by magic, two precise shots ringing out in quick succession.
Both bullets found their mark between the assassins' eyes.
Blood trickled down their foreheads as their bodies collapsed.
Their eyes remained wide open, frozen in shock at Gideon's lightning-fast reflexes.
The woman finally noticed the two fresh corpses in their room.
Her piercing scream filled the suite. "Ahhh! Help! Murder!"
"Quiet!" Gideon snapped, already dressing with practiced efficiency.
He removed his mask, revealing the horrifically scarred other half of his face.
This only made the woman scream louder.
Fortunately, the soundproofing in the VIP suite was excellent.
Gideon silenced her with a precise pressure point strike to her neck.
Lighting a cigarette, he exhaled sharply.
He'd been laying low in A City, yet Antonio Moretti's men had still found him.
Just his luck.
His phone vibrated abruptly.
Dominic Blackwood's name flashed on the screen.
Gideon answered with a grunt. "Make it quick, Blackwood. I'm busy."
He eyed the two corpses dispassionately.
Silence greeted him.
"Spit it out already," Gideon growled impatiently.
He needed to dispose of the evidence quickly.
Dominic's voice was deceptively warm. "How would you like to stop running?"
"What?" Gideon frowned.
"Help me with something, and I'll make Antonio call off his dogs."
Gideon's interest was piqued.
He'd been hunted across continents - by law enforcement and criminals alike.
None bothered him except Antonio Moretti.
The ruthless Italian mobster had slaughtered his own brother's family, including a child, to seize power.
After Gideon swindled him, Antonio had spared no expense hunting him down.
No matter where Gideon hid, Antonio's reach extended there.
"You can really make him back off?" Gideon asked skeptically.
"My word is my bond," Dominic replied confidently.
Gideon considered Dominic's reputation for cunning.
"Deal," he said finally.
He'd do anything to escape Antonio's relentless pursuit.
Meanwhile, at Blackwood Manor...
Dominic sipped tea across from Reginald Blackwood.
"You wanted to see me, Grandfather?" he asked directly.
Reginald's expression darkened. "You've humiliated this family! That disgraceful engagement fiasco - how do you expect me to face society? Your precious Evelyn has failed us!"
Dominic set his cup down calmly. "It's merely postponed. I've explained everything to our guests."
"You still intend to marry her?" Reginald raised his cane threateningly.
Beatrice Lockwood intercepted it hastily. "This is all Evelyn Sinclair's fault! She rejected Dominic publicly and shamed us. My son did nothing wrong. Father, remember your blood pressure!"
She shot Dominic a meaningful look, urging him to placate the old man.
Dominic ignored her. "What would you have me do then?"
Reginald glowered. "Evelyn may seem decent, but she's clearly unfit for our family after this scandal. I refuse to accept her as my granddaughter-in-law!"
Beatrice barely concealed her satisfaction. "It's not just Evelyn. Her entire family is problematic - her grandfather and aunt insulted me personally! With that upbringing, she'll never be worthy of you. You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear-"
"Enough," Dominic cut in coldly. "Did you summon me just to criticize Evelyn?"
Beatrice frowned. "Why are you so stubborn? What does that girl have that-"
Reginald's cane struck the floor sharply. "After she delivers the baby, bring it here and pay her off. Cut all ties. If you defy me, don't blame me for what happens next."
In his youth, Reginald had been just as ruthless as Dominic.
They both knew exactly what that warning meant.
"Fine," Dominic said simply.
Both Reginald and Beatrice froze.
Had they heard correctly?
Was Dominic actually agreeing to abandon Evelyn Sinclair?