Chapter 192
Light poured down from above. Malfoy stared at Asher, his gaze ice-cold. “What an unexpected visitor. What brings the illustrious Mr. Blackwood to a place like this?”
Bandages wrapped Malfoy’s head and arms. He had sustained serious injuries during his failed attempt to kill Asher in a murder-suicide. From the moment Asher’s traitor had warned him, Malfoy had known his empire was crumbling. Sokolov’s term was ending, and he had become deeply unpopular. Given the political climate, his re-election as Prime Minister was virtually impossible. Once Natalia Volkova took office, she would inevitably coordinate efforts to dismantle Malfoy’s organization. Upon receiving the warning, Malfoy had begun planning his fake death, secretly escaping to Britain with the intention of taking Asher down with him.
His associate, Mikhail, had urged him to disappear and live out the rest of his life under a new identity. Malfoy had scoffed, his eyes contemptuous. “Do I look like a coward who would hide in the shadows?” “If Blackwood wants me dead…” Malfoy’s eyes had narrowed, glinting dangerously, “then I’ll make sure he accompanies me to the grave.”
Malfoy’s rapid rise to power in recent years owed much to Sokolov’s powerful backing. Throughout this period, Malfoy had engaged in shadowy businesses and criminal enterprises as a matter of routine. As the saying goes, the most profitable ventures are those listed in the criminal code—a principle Malfoy had thoroughly validated. Before Sokolov’s downfall, Asher’s efforts against Malfoy had consistently been obstructed by the Prime Minister. No matter how influential Asher was in London, he couldn’t openly challenge the Russian Prime Minister. The notion of assassinating Sokolov was out of the question… In fact, since Malfoy’s return to Britain last year, Asher had been covertly supporting Volkova’s rise to power. It was precisely because Malfoy had discovered this that he had frantically sent men to openly attempt Asher’s assassination in Russia.
“Let me guess,” Malfoy’s eyes gleamed with malicious amusement, “has Andrew succumbed to the poison?”
Asher’s expression remained impassive, his cold eyes briefly resting on Malfoy as he spoke in a cutting tone: “You instructed Grace Bennett to poison him.” His statement was definitive—not a question. Malfoy’s eyes flickered with amusement as he responded flippantly: “Did I? I can’t seem to recall.”
Asher remained unperturbed. He slowly withdrew a photograph from the folder. “Do you remember this place?” He held the image before Malfoy’s eyes. The man who had been smirking moments before instantly lost his composure, gritting his teeth. “Blackwood!” Those two syllables contained the full measure of Malfoy’s rage. Asher replied with casual indifference: “Yes?” “What have you done to my mother’s memorial?” Malfoy’s eyes blazed red, veins bulging at his temples.
Asher’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I thought you were heartless. So you do care about something after all.” “Tell me! What have you done to my mother’s shrine and grave?” Malfoy teetered on the edge of blind fury.
“Nothing much. It was such a lovely day, I thought I’d take your mother out for some fresh air,” Asher said coldly, his tone unnervingly casual. “That impressive mausoleum—I assumed your mother was actually buried there. Only after digging did I discover it was merely a cenotaph.” His voice was light, as though discussing dinner plans.
Malfoy erupted with rage. He lunged forward toward Asher. The prison guards immediately restrained him. “Blackwood! I’ll kill you!” Malfoy roared, his eyes bloodshot. Asher gave a slight nod, and Lucas entered carrying the black urn. “Sir,” Lucas said quietly to Asher. “Mm.”
Chapter 192
Seeing the all-too-familiar container, Malfoy completely lost control. He screamed with unbridled fury, his eyes burning with such intense hatred that it seemed he wanted to tear Asher apart with his bare hands.
“I’ll give you one last chance,” Asher said, reclining casually in his chair across from Malfoy, legs crossed with deliberate nonchalance. “Tell me the truth about Andrew’s poisoning, and I’ll leave your mother’s ashes in one piece.”
“Blackwood! I’ll kill you!” Malfoy struggled violently, attempting to break free and attack Asher. Asher smiled, rising unhurriedly from his seat before suddenly delivering a vicious kick to Malfoy’s abdomen. Despite Malfoy’s well-developed abdominal muscles, Asher had used nearly his full strength. Even someone as physically resilient as Malfoy likely suffered internal damage. Malfoy fell silent, not crying out in pain but wincing visibly. “Have you reconsidered?” Asher’s expression betrayed growing impatience.
After a long moment, Malfoy fixed his gaze on Asher and spoke coldly: “Yes, I instructed Grace to poison Andrew.” “At first, she refused, saying she would only do it if I ensured Thalia Winters’ death.” Asher’s expression froze, the color draining from his face. So Malfoy’s targeting of Thalia wasn’t solely to cause Asher pain. It had been a transaction between Malfoy and Grace.
Seeing Asher’s anguished expression, Malfoy actually laughed. “Hahaha! Surprised, Blackwood? The sister you’ve cherished since childhood not only harbored inappropriate feelings for you but also wanted the woman you love dead. Hahaha! How pathetic.”
Asher lowered his eyes, his emotions unreadable. After a moment, he slowly raised his gaze to meet Malfoy’s, his voice chilling enough to send shivers down one’s spine: “Very well.” In the next instant, he signaled to Lucas with a glance. Understanding immediately, Lucas forcefully smashed the ceramic urn on the floor. “No-!” Malfoy bellowed, his eyes bulging with rage. The urn shattered, scattering the ashes across the floor.
Chapter 197
Malfoy’s eyes filled with blood, his features contorted with anguish. Asher stood coldly before Malfoy, looking down at his tormented expression with a sense of vindication finally flickering in his heart. Finally, Asher instructed Lucas to bring a broom to clean up the mess, Malfoy watched helplessly as his mother’s ashes were swept into a rubbish bin.