Ensure He's Breathing.

Alexander strode from the room, his footsteps echoing with finality.

His voice was ice, devoid of any warmth.

"Keep him alive," he commanded his men.

"Then hand him over to the police."

Julian's face contorted with pure hatred.

"Alexander!" he roared, his voice raw.

"You liar! You gave me your word, you bastard!"

Alexander didn't even glance back.

His expression remained an unreadable stone mask as he ascended from the basement.

Julian's furious screams faded into the damp darkness behind him.

The cool night air outside was a welcome relief.

It washed away the metallic stench of blood that clung to his clothes.

His mind immediately turned to his next problem: Harrison.

His worthless, scheming half-brother.

Across town, the atmosphere was thick and heavy.

Inside a private room at an exclusive bar, the air swam with expensive liquor and cloying perfume.

Harrison lounged deep into a plush sofa, a smug smirk plastered on his face.

He nudged the woman curled against him.

"Drink up," he coaxed, his voice a low purr.

She coughed slightly, the strong alcohol burning her throat.

"Is that all you've got?" Harrison teased, chuckling.

He set his own glass down and reached out, his thumb brushing a drop of wine from her lip with exaggerated care.

"A few sips and you're done? Have you lost your touch?"

"You're terrible!" she giggled, swatting his arm playfully.

Her voice was a sugary, teasing whisper.

"Mr. Blackwood, you're being far too demanding."

Seeing her feigned pout, Harrison's mood lifted further.

He laughed, a short, sharp sound.

"Alright, my mistake. To apologize, I'll drink three glasses myself."

She quickly placed her hand over his, stopping him.

Her touch was soft, her voice dripping with false concern.

"Don't, Mr. Blackwood. I couldn't bear to see you uncomfortable."

Harrison, thoroughly amused by her flattery, pulled her closer.

Their whispered conversation grew more intimate, more conspiratorial.

"Mr. Blackwood, you seem exceptionally pleased with yourself tonight," she observed, her smile taking on a knowing, seductive curve.

Harrison's mind raced with the brilliant details of his plan.

A loud, genuine laugh escaped him.

"Absolutely! There's nothing better than watching a fool who dared cross me finally get what's coming to him," he declared, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight.

He squeezed her tighter, his excitement palpable.

The trap he had set was perfect, flawless in its design.

Before moving against Evelyn and Alexander, he had done his homework.

He knew every weakness, every potential crack to exploit.

Discovering that Evelyn had a recent, obsessed ex-boyfriend was a gift.

This messy emotional history was the perfect weapon.

He had discreetly arranged for Julian to be contacted and cunningly persuaded to target Evelyn.

Once Julian took the bait and caused a scene, the rumors would start flying.

Whispers of a rekindled affair between Evelyn and her ex would spread like a virus.

In a city like Crestwood, no woman of good standing would remain married to a man like Alexander, perceived as a disabled, powerless heir.

If Evelyn were unfaithful, public sympathy would be with her.

Who could blame her?

The scandal would destroy Alexander's reputation completely.

It would make him utterly unfit to challenge Harrison for control of the Blackwood family empire.

Harrison glanced impatiently at his expensive watch.

By now, the gossip blogs he had paid handsomely should have blown the story wide open.

The mere thought of Alexander, his arrogant half-brother, becoming the internet's favorite object of ridicule sent a vicious thrill through him.

"Time to see the show," he murmured, disentangling himself from the woman.

He eagerly unlocked his phone, his thumb scrolling rapidly.

But his triumphant smile quickly dissolved into a confused frown.

None of the accounts he had bribed had posted a single thing.

Irritation spiked through him.

His brow furrowed deeply as he began typing furious messages to the bloggers, demanding an immediate explanation.

He had paid good money for this. Were they completely incompetent?

A reply buzzed on his screen, snapping his attention back.

"Mr. Blackwood, it's not that we're refusing. The issue is we never received the photos. Without visual evidence, the story has no impact."

Harrison's face darkened into a furious scowl.

So, Julian was the one who had failed him.

Growling in frustration, he stabbed at his phone, dialing Julian's number.

His mind raced with accusations.

That idiot Julian was probably too busy trying to have his way with Evelyn to remember the plan.

The phone rang.

And rang.

No answer.

A cold, sinking feeling began to coil in Harrison's gut.

Had Julian somehow managed to ruin everything?

Each unanswered ring felt like a hammer blow, shattering his confidence and amplifying a sudden, sharp dread.

His perfect plan was crumbling.