Chapter 183

He did not want to betray Liam, but he could not stand idly by while his sister died. He was deeply conflicted. From the master bedroom balcony, Liam observed Levi's every reaction as he entered the garden, cigarette in hand. Later, after stubbing it out, Liam met Levi in the study.

"How did it go?" Liam asked.

After a moment, Levi replied, "I… saw Mr. Simon."

Liam, knowing his father's methods, asked directly, "Did he threaten you?"

Levi, a long-time employee, bowed. "Mr. Hall, I'm sorry! You have to save my sister!" He then confessed everything.

Twenty-eight hours had passed; less than a day remained. Liam already knew the mastermind. He dispatched men to apprehend Faith.

"Where is the chip?"

By the river, fear consumed Faith. "Who are you? I don't know anything about chips!"

"You're lying."

Liam's men were relentless. Faith's resolve crumbled under their pressure.

One man said, "One last chance. Hand over the chip, or face life imprisonment for stealing and hiding classified information."

Faith bit her lip, remembering Simon's promise of protection, yet uncertain. "As long as the chip isn't in my hands, no one can give me a heavy sentence!" With that, she tossed a black box into the river.

"Shit!" A man leaped from the car and into the water.

"Liam!" Emma shouted, revealing she had been observing with Liam. Seeing Faith's attempt to destroy the evidence, Liam jumped in without hesitation. Emma rushed out, but the man had disappeared. She stared at the seemingly calm, yet potentially dangerous, river. Just as she was about to follow, Liam's men stopped her.

"Mrs. Hall, don't worry. Mr. Hall is a strong swimmer. We'll check."

Another man added, "Mr. Hall won't let you get in. Let us find him."

Emma nodded. "Thank you. Please be careful."

Several men dove in. A minute felt like an eternity. Emma's anxiety mounted. Just as she feared the worst, men emerged.

"We found it!" one shouted. "Mrs. Hall, don't worry. We're bringing Mr. Hall back!"

The current strengthened, but they worked together, pushing against the torrent. Soon, they reached shore. Liam was drenched, water dripping from his hair onto his pale skin. He held the chip. "Emma, I got it."

Emma quickly removed her coat to dry him. "Hurry and dry yourself, don't catch a cold." The weather had turned cold; the river wind was biting. Despite the chill, Liam felt warmth in Emma's concern.

Faith bit her lip in humiliation. Liam's gaze fell upon her. "Save it for the police."

The car's dashcam recorded Faith throwing the chip into the river, proving Emma's innocence and implicating Faith in leaking state secrets. The Jennings family panicked, sending Gordon Jennings, a decorated war hero, to intervene. However, the situation was too grave; he couldn't clear her name. Faith received a three-year sentence, lessened due to Gordon's reputation and her first offense.

Upon hearing the sentence, Faith created a commotion. She cried, "Grandpa, I don't want to go to jail! I didn't steal the chip! I was following orders! It was Simon Hall!"

An elderly man entered. "Miss Jennings, what are you saying? I don't understand. How could I have instructed you? Isn't this our first meeting?" Simon effortlessly absolved himself.

Rage consumed Faith. She knew she couldn't offend Simon, not even her grandfather could challenge him. Her eyes burned with hatred.

Derek stepped forward. "It's not too late to repent. You're young. After three years, you can start afresh."

Faith screamed, "No, it was you!"

Simon laughed. "I've never been to Charon Military School. The surveillance footage shows only you." His actions were flawless. Faith was no match for him. She was taken away.

Chapter 18T [Correction: Presumably Chapter 184]

Gordon stood rigid, staring coldly at Simon, seething. He understood the machinations, but lacked evidence, his anger bottled up.

"Mr. Hall, you will face retribution!" Gordon vowed. He would never forget the injustice.

Simon remained calm. "Justice always prevails. Mr. Jennings, when your granddaughter is released, educate her well." He left with a smile.

Outside, he locked eyes with a man and woman. His face darkened. With a cold snort, he entered his Mercedes and drove away.

Emma and Liam knew Simon wasn't innocent, but Faith deserved her punishment. Liam immediately sent men to protect Sharon.

Simon quickly realized Levi had betrayed him, enabling Liam's success. He tried to harm Sharon, but it was too late.

At the Icovine Estate, Emma expressed her gratitude to Levi. "Levi, we owe you so much." He had saved her family, preventing Philip from needing to create a fake chip.

Emma offered him priority access to blood supplies. The sentence ends abruptly.