Chapter 220

Finding Lane's hospital wasn't difficult for Erza. Upon arriving at Lane's ward, he found her unconscious. A passing doctor, noticing Erza's unfamiliar face, inquired if he was a family member. Erza remained silent. He wasn't family; he didn't even know why he was there. Perhaps boredom and nicotine withdrawal had driven him, subconsciously drawn by news of Lane's accident. However, with Lane unconscious, there seemed no reason to stay.

He rose to leave, then saw a tall man standing before him—Liam, who instantly recognized Erza. Their past animosity, stemming from Emma, had lessened since Lennon's attack on Emma and their subsequent interaction. Liam had come to terms with Erza's lack of romantic feelings for Emma. Putting aside his hostility, Liam asked, "Are you here to visit Lane?" He saw through Erza's intentions.

Erza didn't deny it, but wondered about Liam's presence. Unlikely to be visiting Lane himself, Erza inquired, "Was Emma injured too?"

"Yes, she suffered a fracture," Liam replied.

Erza was surprised. Knowing Lane had been in a car accident, he surmised Emma must have been in the car as well. He wondered who would dare harm Emma in Trolo City.

"Was it intentional?" Erza asked.

"The Allen family," Liam stated, his gaze cool. "Do you know Owen?"

Erza recalled Owen meeting Lane at his party, Lane bringing him a laptop that day. Owen had found Lane interesting and subsequently harassed her. Liam's question indicated a connection. Erza frequented a private room at a bar, often with various friends—most of whom he barely knew. Yet, he remembered a girl in a suit he'd seen that day.

"Does he have an older sister?" Erza asked.

"Alyssa," Liam replied, pursed lips hinting at the complexity. "She's Owen's half-sister."

A flicker of recognition, a face he couldn't quite place, surfaced in Erza's memory. Aware of Liam's influence in Trolo City, he understood the gravity of the situation, even if not directly at fault, he felt responsible. "I understand. I'll handle this," Erza said quietly.

"No need," Liam countered, hand in pocket. Their similar heights belied Liam's mature aura, making him seem taller. They stood evenly matched in the corridor. "I'll settle the score with the Allen family myself. But if you know anyone else involved in provoking Emma and Lane, tell me."

Erza nodded in agreement. Liam entered the ward to find Emma asleep. Returning from work, he couldn't bring himself to wake her. Sitting by her bedside, he received a message. It was short: "[I got them both.]" From a Team Thunder subordinate, referring to Owen and Gina. Liam's face darkened. His lips forming a straight line, he replied: "[Cripple them.]"

Gina, fearing repercussions from Silas, went alone to their meeting place – an abandoned factory. Owen was there, but no one else. She realized she'd been set up, but had no choice. The desolate surroundings, the grave beside her, failed to frighten her initially. She tried calling the number that had contacted her, but received no answer.

"Is anyone there?! I brought the money! Let my son go!" she screamed.

A hoarse voice chuckled, "Your son, or you—only one lives today."

Terror gripped Gina. She fell to the ground, weeping, "Who are you? What do you want?" She'd offended many, but faced no consequences until now—this time, she'd offended someone who sought life, not money or power.

"Drink this, and your son will be saved," the man said.

Gina saw a bottle of brown liquid and a live broadcast of a twisted, pained Owen. Panic set in. She begged, "Please, let me go, let my son go… We'll do anything!" Her elegance and arrogance were gone.

"Three more seconds… drink, or watch your son die," the man threatened.

Gina, desperate to preserve her current status, her future, fainted.

Meanwhile, Alyssa, upon learning of Owen and Gina's actions, gathered evidence and prepared to submit it to the Allen Group's board of directors. A black Rolls-Royce blocked her path. Recognizing the high status of its occupant, Alyssa stopped. A man in a black uniform approached, knocking on her window. Alyssa cautiously addressed the middle-aged man, “May I ask who you are?”

Derek, with a flawless smile, said, “Alyssa, I'm the Hall family's butler. Our chairman wishes to see you.”

Alyssa's mind blanked. Trolo City's elite knew the Hall family’s power. Stunned, she realized this was a meeting beyond her wildest dreams. "I… can I ask why?"

Derek politely indicated the documents she held, "The chairman wishes to discuss these."