Hearing this, Derek Robinson moved closer to Serena with cold eyes. He raised one hand and his men immediately retreated. The knives pulled away from her throat, leaving faint red lines where the steel had pressed against her skin.They took a step back, creating space so that she was now facing Derek alone, his towering, scarred figure looming over her like a mountain.Serena lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze head-on despite the fear in her heart.“I don't know what you think,” she said boldly, her voice steady even as her heart raced, “but Julius has nothing to do with this. He's not someone who could get anyone killed. He's just an ordinary apprentice from my Medical Center.”She definitely couldn't tell them that Julius was her insolent husband—the man who knew how to cause endless trouble for her, who embarrassed her at every turn. But making someone take his own life? What a joke.How could she not have seen it before

Margaret struggled to get to her feet, one hand pressed against her swollen cheek. Her vision still spun from the force of Derek’s slap. The left side of her face was already turning an angry shade of red, and she could taste blood in her mouth. She gritted her teeth and lunged at Derek again. “Mom, stay out of this!” Serena’s voice cracked from the booth, words strained against the pressure of the blades at her throat. “Don’t throw your life away like this!” Despite the knives pressed against her skin, Serena couldn’t let her mother charge headfirst into certain death. After seeing what Derek had done to Carl. Breaking his legs like twigs and beating him until he was unrecognizable—she knew exactly how ruthless this man could be. Margaret stopped mid-step, still clutching her swollen face. She backed slowly toward where Rosalie and Richard stood, but her mouth wouldn’t shut. “Do you thi

Wilson scoffed loudly from his corner, his bloodied face twisting into a vindictive sneer. “Julius isn’t what you all think he is!” he shouted, pointing accusingly. “He told me personally that he was responsible for the suicide of Leader Ken!”Now that it had come to this, how could he not kill two birds with one stone?Not only would he be able to save his own life today, but that Julius Black who thought so highly of himself would finally have to pay a price. He would beg for mercy on his knees.How could he easily forget how much Julius had offended him at the Medical Center? Even now, videos of that shameful incident were still circulating all over social media because of Julius. If Julius didn’t die a ruthless death today, his heart would not be at rest.Right now, he didn’t care that Ms. DiLaurentis despised him for his despicability. Hmph! She had always favored Julius over him anyway. She had refused to fire him from the Medical Center, no

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the Elorix Hotel, in a private conference room...Elijah Langston stood motionless before the floor-to-ceiling glass wall that stretched across the entire western face of the room.The view was breathtaking—the West District appeared below him like a glittering constellation of lights.But Elijah wasn't admiring the view.His reflection in the glass was cold; his eyes were dark and filled with murderous intent.His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles in his neck stood out.The phone in his hand slowly lowered to his side. He turned to face the room.Seated around the long mahogany conference table were twelve men and women dressed in immaculate business suits. Tablets and folders sat neatly in front of them.If an outsider had stumbled into the room, they would have been in complete shock.Because the people present weren't just anyone—they were titans of the pharmaceutical industry.Among many, there was Dr. Helena Elis, the renowned Chief Oper

Margaret helped her daughter up from the floor, whispering bitterly through gritted teeth, "All that useless Langston has ever brought us and our Serena is misery."She raised her head and her blood ran cold.Derek was approaching Serena, who was still pinned down in the booth by his men. A wide, predatory smile stretched across his scarred face as he waved his hand lazily.His men immediately released their grip on Serena's mouth but kept her restrained in the booth. She was still struggling to get up, her body twisting against their hold.Derek folded his arms and looked down at her with suspicious eyes. "Don't you think you're a little too concerned about this Julius Black? He's supposed to be just an apprentice, right?"Serena glared up at him, her voice filled with anger. "You're making a mistake. Julius had nothing to do with the death of the Brotherhood Gang leader. And you're wasting your time—he's not coming."In her mind, she clung to that hope. She had managed to warn Juliu