Chapter 847

The worker stiffened, his complexion turning ashen. "Mr. Blackwood? Julian Blackwood?"

One of the masked men gave a solemn nod. "Correct. He sent us to eliminate you. Today's your last day."

Terror made the worker's voice crack. "This must be a mistake! Why would Mr. Blackwood want me dead? Call him—ask him yourself! There's no way he'd order this!"

"Enough with the lies," a guard snapped.

"I'm telling the truth!" the worker pleaded. "Just contact Mr. Blackwood. We're partners. Has he forgotten already?"

A chilling laugh came from one of the guards. "Oh, he remembers everything. He says you know too much. Dead men tell no tales. And right now, you're worth more to him dead than alive."

The worker's hands shook. "What... what do you mean?"

"Still don't get it? Once you're gone, all the public outrage will land on Whitmore Holdings, crushing them. Mr. Blackwood says your life is worthless anyway, so he's using you to take them down. At least your death will mean something."

One guard exchanged a glance with another and jerked his chin. "What's the delay? Finish him. Mr. Blackwood's waiting."

"On it!"

Two men stepped forward with a thick hemp rope, looping it around the worker's neck and pulling taut.

The worker had been skeptical at first. He doubted Julian would actually want him dead. But now, with the rope cutting into his throat, the crushing reality hit him all at once. Panic surged through his veins.

He clawed desperately at the noose.

"Let me go! Why is Mr. Blackwood doing this? We had a deal! He told me to fake an injury on-site and blame Whitmore Holdings. He even recruited my sons to stir up chaos. I did everything he asked! Now Whitmore Holdings is drowning in scandal—just like he wanted. I followed orders! Why does he want me dead? He won't get away with this!"

The guards exchanged a look, then abruptly loosened their grip.

Seizing the moment, the worker wrenched free and kicked one guard down.

Then he bolted like a man possessed.

The masked men stood, dusting themselves off before approaching Lucian and Rosalind. "Mr. Graves, the worker escaped. He was so terrified he pissed himself."

Lucian's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Now he despises Julian with every fiber of his being."

He turned to Rosalind. "He'll contact your father soon and turn on Julian."

Rosalind's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Lucian to stage this—having men impersonate Julian's enforcers.

Julian was cunning, but even he wouldn’t have anticipated this move from Lucian.

Noticing her gaze, Lucian smiled. "When dealing with snakes, you have to think like one. Fight fire with fire."

Rosalind exhaled in admiration. "You're incredible."

Just then, one of the masked men handed over a voice recorder. "Mr. Graves, here's the recording from earlier."

Lucian took it and placed it in Rosalind's palm. "Keep this. Every word he said is proof. It's enough to clear Whitmore Holdings."

Rosalind clutched the recorder tightly.

Lucian had thought of everything.

She knew, without a doubt, that coming to him had been the right choice.