Chapter 1213:

Hardy shook his head, unfazed. “No, I haven’t.”

Amanda’s voice rose. “How can you say that? When I was hunted, where were you? When I was lost, where were you? All of it proves you broke your promise!”

Hardy replied, “I did promise him I’d look after you, yes. But there was an additional condition, one you’re unaware of.”

Amanda’s gaze hardened. “What condition?”

He explained calmly, “If you ever crossed a line—one I couldn’t stomach—I had the freedom to step back. You’re an adult, after all. You can fend for yourself.”

Amanda shook her head, disbelief written across her face. “No, there’s no hidden condition! You’re just making excuses. You see me as a burden, don’t you?”

Hardy’s expression remained unchanged. “I don’t need excuses. I never mentioned the condition because I didn’t expect you’d stoop this low. But once I saw that side of you, I decided to wait until the moment was ripe.”

A faint smirk played on his lips as he added, “And now, that moment has arrived.”

Amanda froze, her voice trembling. “What… what are you saying?”

Hardy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It means you’ve managed to anger your superior enough that he wants you gone for good.”

Amanda’s expression shifted as she pieced things together. “You mean Jayden, don’t you? This entire setup… it was his doing?”

Hardy nodded, his eyes narrowing. “Precisely. You drugged him and tried to harm the woman he holds dearest. Did you think he’d let you walk away from that?”

Amanda looked stunned. “But why didn’t he deal with me directly? Why weave this elaborate web?”

“Because it was my idea,” Hardy said with a hint of amusement. “You should be thanking me. Thanks to my suggestion, Jayden granted you one more day. Without it, your fate would’ve been sealed this morning.”

Amanda shook her head, unable to process the betrayal. “This can’t be real. You’re lying.”

Hardy’s tone grew colder. “I went through all of this just to lay it out clearly between us.”

With those words, Hardy drew a gun, aiming it at Amanda’s chest.

Amanda’s face went pale, her body quivering.

“You’re not actually going to kill me, are you? Don’t forget—you’re my brother’s friend. You swore to protect me.”

Hardy’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. “Believe me, I can’t stand you. You think you can shackle me with that promise, but I’ve been waiting for you to push it too far. And here we are.”