Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 829 As expected, nothing unfolded outside Khloe's predictions. The data Ethan had transmitted was being monitored in real time by Clarice. He had only tampered with the data on Khloe's terminal drive. Once the transfer was complete, a wipe sequence would automatically trigger. And the person who had just appeared? That was one of Clarice's agents. She wanted to verify Ethan's actions herself, having someone check the computer daily. That's why Ethan waited until the very last moment to act. He had made two copies of the data: one manipulated, one untouched.

The tampered copy was in transit, while the untouched copy was the original, kept safe in case Clarice left a backdoor for monitoring. Ethan hadn't expected Clarice to be so ruthless-she wanted to kill him before he even finished his work. But that was exactly what made it useful; once she moved, the evidence would exist. Charlotte didn't know the full details, but she could see the seriousness in Ethan's expression. She didn't ask further and followed him down into the underground garage.

Since Clarice's agents were making a move, the building's ---- interior must have already been cleared of obstacles. Charlotte would only be able to call for help once she escaped. After descending floor after floor, Ethan suddenly stopped. "Let's hide for now. For safety, you wait until tomorrow moming, when the building's signal is restored, before coming out. Do exactly as | say." Charlotte froze, then understood. If the agents could block the signal, the basement and exits were likely heavily guarded. If their target was Ethan, as long as he was captured, she would be temporarily safe.

But... if Ethan was captured... would he survive? "Ethan!" Fear gripped her, and she grabbed his wrist. Ethan suddenly chuckled. "What's the matter? Looking at me like that... are you worried about me?" Charlotte knew this wasn't the time for jokes. And if what he said was true, she had indeed misjudged him before. "Your life is at stake. You don't have to be so reckless. Let's think -if you go out now, and something..." "If | die, isn't that exactly what you want?" Ethan's voice was as unflinching as ever. Charlotte wasn't surprised. ---- "Ethan, really, now is not the time for this.

Can you just-stop?" "Charlotte, I'll explain one last time: Nancy and | were innocent, | never failed her, and she didn't die because of me." His expression darkened as he reached up, cupping Charlotte's face and pressing her against the corner. Every word was solemn and earnest. Charlotte froze. "If you want to help Khloe, then listen to me." His voice softened against her ear, teasing even in the midst of danger. Ethan had never really changed-crises didn't stop him from provoking her. With that, he gave her no chance to respond, pushed open the corridor door, and strode off.

Charlotte heard movement below, fear tightening around her chest. Gritting her teeth, she reluctantly headed back upstairs. Meanwhile, late at night, Khloe's side of the world was shattered too. Gunshots rang out through Lucas's villa. ---- The bed in Khloe and Nick's bedroom became the epicenter of the chaos. After a few shots rang out, the intruders noticed no movement beneath the blankets. They quickly yanked them open -but instead of two bodies, they found two oversized pillows, feathers flaring in all directions. "Shit!

We've been duped!" The gunmen turned to retreat, but a gun was pressed to one of their foreheads before they could move.