Chapter 512 A Pawn on the Board
Unlike the Treno fantily, who acted as if the sky were falling, Jonathan hadn’t given them a second thought.
His eyes were set on something much bigger.
He had already begun forging connections within the Victor family–targeting the cracks that could weaken Victor’s control from the inside.
Victor was far too arrogant.
Ever since he’d agreed to that bet with Jonathan, he’d settled into Capital City like a tourist–spending his days eating, strolling, and enjoying himself as if nothing could touch him.
A few days later, he finally made a move.
He asked to see White.
Of course, with Victor’s status, he wasn’t going to visit a detention site himself. After discussions at the top. it was decided–White would be brought out.
Stone was assigned to handle the escort.
Before setting out, he visited the old estate.
Sensing his unease, Jonathan reassured him. “We’re on home turf. There’s nothing to fear. Besides, Victor isn’t going to rescue White.”
“That’s still his son,” Stone couldn’t help but mutter.
“White isn’t his only son. And there’s little love between them,” Jonathan said coolly. “Your job is to protect White’s life.”
If it were him in Victor’s place, he wouldn’t just refuse to save White–he’d have him eliminated.
The scandal around White had blown too wide to suppress. Rather than spend a fortune trying to salvage a son whose exposure might bring down the entire house, Victor might very well let him die–and make it
count.
White wasn’t just any criminal–he was a foreigner, and one being groomed as a successor
If he died, international outrage would erupt.
But that was exactly the kind of smokescreen Victor needed. White knew too much–about family secrets, about operations Victor couldn’t risk coming to light.
And there was also the matter of the bet.
If White died, the wager would be null.
Victor could then set new terms entirely.
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Chapter 512 A Pawn on the Board
Three birds with one stone–clean, calculated, cruch
With senior military officials guarding White now, Victor wouldn’t dare move inside the official kobling
zones.
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So he devised a way to get White out.
Stone’s skin prickled with goosebumps as Jonathan laid it all out.
Using one’s own son as a bargaining chip? Only someone like Victor could stomach that.
“I need to reevaluate our entire security plan,” Stone muttered grimly.
He was already under immense pressure–now it felt like the weight had doubled.
Jonathan nodded. “Ask your grandfather for help. The Haynes family didn’t last this long on luck alone. The old man has plenty of tricks left.”
Stone gave a curt nod and left immediately.
Sierra had been quietly sitting through the entire conversation.
Only after Stone left did she speak. “Victor wouldn’t dare try something here, right? What, he’s going to attack in broad daylight?”
“He dares,” Jonathan said flatly. “He has backing. It’s a game of chess now. We’re just seeing who moves first.”
Sierra felt a chill crawl down her spine. Everything was starting to feel like a trap layered atop another.
Jonathan caught her expression.
“It’s normal,” he said gently. “Power and profit drive people to do crazy things.”
“Should we help Stone?” Sierra asked.
Jonathan shook his head. “We can’t.”
Too many eyes were watching him now. His close relationship with Stone made any involvement a potential liability.
If anything happened to White, Stone/would take the fall–and Jonathan couldn’t risk adding to that. Even the transportation details were top secret. If Jonathan knew them, that would be a threat in itself.
Sierra quietly leaned into his arms
She didn’t say a word, but Jonathan knew what she was feeling.
He gently stroked her hair, a rare softness in his voice. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”
Sierra had always liked the simple things–pure research, a quiet life.
But because of him, she now had to deal with plots and betrayals every day.
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Chapter 512 A Pawn on the Board
“Don’t apologize to me, Mr. Yaeger,” she mumbled. “We’re in this together.”
She truly hated this kind of life.
Scheming. Double–dealing. The constant games. It was exhausting.
She couldn’t imagine how Jonathan had endured it all these years.
“Not much longer,” Jonathan whispered, patting her back. “It’s all about to end.”
She hoped so.
s
The next day, Stone was ready. His team formed a tight perimeter, escorting White to his meeting with Victor.
Though White hadn’t been told who he was going to meet, he quickly figured it out.
He remained silent the entire trip, his face dark with unease.
When he finally broke his silence, he turned to Stone and asked,
“My father wants to see me, doesn’t he?”
Stone didn’t answer–just gave him a glance.
That was enough.
White’s face twisted with tension, and moments later, he snapped.
“I’m not going. Take me back.”
He turned abruptly, trying to retreat.
Stone grabbed his arm firmly. “You don’t have a choice.”
“And besides–your father wants to see you. You should be happy.”
