Chapter 635

The moment the call connected, Fox's laughter came through.

The electronic distortion was still there, but the tone was certain.

"You're not Rabbit."

Evelyn's fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

Her voice was calm. "If I'm not, then who is?"

"Grace Sterling is Rabbit." Fox's laughter held a playful note. "I never expected it, Evelyn Ross. You're actually alive."

Evelyn's pupils constricted sharply.

"What nonsense are you talking?"

"I was wondering how Rabbit suddenly became so formidable..." Fox's laughter grew louder. "So that's how it is. Ha!"

Evelyn knew she couldn't hide it anymore.

Her voice turned cold. "Was it you in San Francisco? Tying us up at sea, trying to silence us?"

"Don't pin that on me." Fox denied immediately. "I've done plenty of bad things, but I won't claim what I haven't done. That incident—no, the incident where your sister, Rabbit, was killed—wasn't my doing."

Evelyn snapped, "Only you and my sister were competing for the Sterling Family heir position. If it wasn't you, then who?"

"Don't believe me? Fine." Fox's tone was light. "I can't be bothered to explain."

Evelyn fell silent for a moment.

She suddenly spoke. "If it wasn't you, then who could it be?"

Fox laughed. "You believe me now?"

"If it were you, the target from the start should have been my sister, not me." Evelyn's voice was analytical. "But that time in San Francisco, the other party clearly intended to kill me."

Grace Sterling was just collateral damage.

"Smart." Fox praised. "You figured it out so quickly. Since you believe me, that makes things easier. Evelyn Ross, let's meet."

Evelyn was taken aback. "You're willing to meet me?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Fox chuckled. "We are rivals, but not mortal enemies. And... you probably don't know about our relationship yet."

"What relationship?"

"We'll talk when we meet." Fox's tone remained casual. "I'll be waiting for you at the Ashcroft residence."

The Ashcroft residence?

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

Fox added, "Oh, by the way, your father is awake."

A chill ran down Evelyn's spine. "What are you planning?"

"The Ashcroft household is full of your father's people. What could I possibly do?" Fox giggled. "Just giving you a friendly heads-up... Hurry home and play with me."

The call ended.

Evelyn immediately rushed out the door.

Just as she reached the courtyard of the Special Operations Division, she heard arguing voices outside the gate.

Luke Wright was pulling at Deputy Director Wright, his face anxious.

"Deputy Director Wright, if my father isn't stepping down, he must have his reasons. It's really not what you think..."

Deputy Director Wright scoffed. "What am I thinking? The old man can stay as long as he wants. He's eighty, I'm fifty. I can wait him out! At worst, I'll retire the moment I take over!"

He added sarcastically, "Better than some people who act one way in public and another in private. Talking about changing the heir while secretly blocking the younger generation from advancing!"

Luke Wright flushed. "My father really isn't that kind of person..."

Deputy Director Wright turned and walked towards his office.

Luke Wright followed, but the door slammed shut with a bang right in front of him.

He raised his hand to knock, but Deputy Director Wright's cold voice came from inside. "My back injury is acting up. Does Brother Luke want me to endure the pain and argue with you?"

Luke Wright's hand froze mid-air.

After a long moment, he sighed. "My father really doesn't intend to pass the Special Operations Division to me. I'm a useless person. How could I lead everyone?"

The door suddenly creaked open.

Deputy Director Wright stood in the doorway, his face dark. "What do you mean by that? Am I a useless person now too? Should I also step aside for someone more capable? For whom? Just say who the old man has his eye on! Stop this slow torture!"

Luke Wright quickly waved his hands. "That's not what I meant! I'm saying I've been useless since I was a child. No one in the division respects me. But you're different. You've always been in the Special Operations Division. Everyone respects you..."

"Don't. I can't accept such praise." Deputy Director Wright sneered. "What does it matter how capable I was when I was young? Now I'm old... My health is probably worse than yours! Ha, I get it now. Is this the old man's plan all along? Praise me when I'm young, and when I'm old and useless, let you—who's been 'useless' all along—take over... What a brilliant scheme!"

Luke Wright said urgently, "I swear, my father absolutely never thought that!"

"What good is your swear?" Deputy Director Wright stared at him. "Then tell me, why won't the old man retire?"

Luke Wright was speechless.

He couldn't answer.

Because he didn't know either.

Seeing this, Deputy Director Wright scoffed again and slammed the door shut once more.

Evelyn walked past from a distance, passing the tightly closed door.

Luke Wright saw her and gave a bitter smile. "Grace, believe me. The old man really doesn't mean it that way."