The assistant's pupils contracted in terror.
Before he could even bite down on the poison capsule hidden in his mouth, Jerrick had already dislocated his jaw.
Operatives from the Dragon-Thorn Squad immediately swarmed in, securing Alaric's assistant on the floor.
Nicholas's gaze darkened.
He raised a hand.
The Blackwood security detail hidden in the shadows instantly moved to seal off the exits.
Jasper strolled leisurely over to Alaric, his smile dangerously charming. "Chairman Sinclair, your assistant has some quick reflexes."
"Tell me, is it standard protocol for a charity foundation assistant to bite down on cyanide before making a run for it?"
Alaric's face was an ugly shade of gray.
He forced himself to speak. "I have no idea what he's done. He is merely my assistant. Perhaps he was bought off by someone else. This has nothing to do with the Sinclair family."
Serena let out a soft "Oh." "Nothing to do with the Sinclair family again."
"The man standing right beside Chairman Sinclair made contact with the Severian poisoner."
"The relief station funded by the Sinclair Foundation is run by Obsidian Sun transit personnel."
"The cash flow from the Sinclair Foundation funnels straight into Whitecliffe Harbor's offshore accounts."
"And Chairman Sinclair himself publicly pressured me for the core Severian rescue data tonight."
She paused, her voice dripping with lazy disdain. "So many coincidences. You truly are innocent, Chairman Sinclair."
Alaric's throat tightened, his face turning livid from the mockery.
By now, even without a complete judicial chain of evidence, it was enough for everyone to see the truth.
The Sinclair family was dirty.
The Sinclair family was tied to the Obsidian Sun.
Old Mr. Lancaster leaned on his cane, his voice sharp. "Edward."
Edward's tone was ice-cold. "I've already notified the relevant authorities."
Old Mr. Blackwood let out a cold laugh. "The Blackwood family will also gladly cooperate by submitting all data on the Sinclair Foundation's recent overseas projects."
The last bit of color drained from Alaric's face.
The Lancaster family.
The Blackwood family.
Combined with the Elyndorian medical team, international medical titans, and the involvement of the Obsidian Sun.
His hand was completely immobilized.
He looked down and saw a slender silver needle piercing straight through his wrist.
The silver tail of the needle was still vibrating.
The faint metallic glint stung his eyes.
The black microchip inside the cufflink popped out and clattered to the floor.
Alaric's blood ran cold. He immediately reached to yank the needle out.
Serena lowered her delicate hand, her expression serene and her tone casual. "I'd advise you not to move. If you do... I can't guarantee you'll get to keep that hand."
Alaric froze, his face turning an angry shade of purple.
Serena smirked. "The Obsidian Sun's lackeys are always so pathetic. Can't protect the evidence, so you try to destroy the terminal."
She looked at him, her smile mocking. "You're a little too green to pull that trick in front of me."
The guests were too stunned to speak.
They had only known that the Lancaster heiress possessed miraculous medical skills.
But seeing her flick a silver needle with such casual precision, driving it straight through a man's wrist.

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