?<strong>Chapter 174:</strong>


    Was the evidence important? Adrian didn’t think it was. Amara had always insisted that Quincy was responsible for her husband’s death, so it couldn’t be a baseless usation. Adrian had nearly confirmed its truth when he gauged Irene’s reaction recently. The details were irrelevant to him. Only the oue mattered.


    It was already certain that InfinityGlobal and Kenny’s studio had vited copyrights. Driven by their interests, Miller Group would ensure a thorough investigation. This time, even Irene couldn’t intervene. Even if Quincy managed to evade consequences now, Adrian was determined to see him behind bars. The man who murdered his father was beyond redemption.


    Realizing they were at an impasse, Quincy shifted his tactics. He resumed his seat and inquired earnestly, “What must I do for you to release me?”


    After a moment’s contemtion, Adrian proposed, “What if you relinquish your im to Grandma’s inheritance? I might then consider sparing you and your family.”


    Consider sparing him and his family? Under Adrian’s relentless pressure, Quincy felt utterly cornered. It was clear why Adrian, his nephew, excelled in strategy and cunning, much like his brother. Quincy had long epted his own mediocrity, attributing it to his parents’ favoritism towards his brother from a young age, denying him any opportunities to prove himself. He believed that with equal footing and resources, he could have surpassed his brother.


    Consumed by years of envy, he finally snapped. Leveraging his brother’s trust, he staged a fatal ident during a mountain trip, killing Adrian’s father. The act was spontaneous, and he was gued by remorse afterward. However, his guilt waned after Amara and Adrian openly opposed him, especially after overhearing a heated argument between Amara and Irene, where Amara demanded his arrest. From that moment, his remorse faded under theirbined pressures.


    The thought of forfeiting his inheritance was out of the question. Wasn’t the entire ordeal a battle for that very estate? “Adrian, allow some room forpromise. If you stop cornering me, couldn’t we coexist peacefully going forward?”


    Adrian didn’t answer. Instead, he nced at his watch and stated, “You have five minutes to decide. And only one chance.”


    Quincy’s frame shook at the prospect. Without agreement, all paths to peace would close. Yet, a desperate alternative lingered—Adrian’s death. In a swift motion, Quincy drew a gleaming dagger from beneath the table, its silver edge catching the light as it lunged towards Adrian. “To hell with you, Adrian!”


    Adrian’s expression darkened instantly. He sidestepped, using the sofa’s armrest for leverage, narrowly avoiding the de. The dagger sank deep into the leather, feathers spewing from the puncture as Quincy yanked it free.


    The air thickened with tension, poised on the brink of violence. Adrian, agile and alert, sought the right moment to disarm Quincy. The struggle was brief. Within minutes, Adrian had Quincy pinned against the table, wrenching the dagger from his grasp.


    Themotion had drawn attention. People burst into the room. Seizing the moment, Adrian twisted Quincy into a shield against the neers. Quincy seemed resolved to his deadly intent from the start.


    The intruders, clearly skilled, outnumbered Adrian. “Uncle Quincy, assembling such a force to end me—I’m ttered by your regard,” Adrian taunted, de pressed to Quincy’s throat, ensuring hispliance.


    The stakes were stark. Today, one or both would meet their end. “You think Ick the courage to finish you?” Adrian whispered, audible only to Quincy, who felt a chill as his pulse raced.


    “Adrian, reconsider. My death won’t grant you freedom,” Quincy pleaded. Adrian’s eyes, red and wild, bore into Quincy’s. “What does it matter? If my end is nigh, I’m dragging you down with me.”


    With that grim promise, Adrian drove the dagger into Quincy’s shoulder. Quincy’s cry of agony echoed. Although his men readied their weapons, hismand halted them. “Stay back!” He knew Adrian’s resolve was real.


    “Leave this ce!” Quincy bit out through clenched teeth. “We are family, and we should leave this room together.” Adrian tightened the dagger against Quincy’s neck and edged towards the door with deliberate slowness. Risking everything often meant confronting one’s mortality head-on.


    Nearing the door, Adrian allowed himself a moment of relief. Freedom was just beyond the doorway. Unexpectedly, Quincy, despite his wound, revealed another dagger concealed at his waist. Adrian grunted in surprise and pain. Ignoring his own injury, he retaliated swiftly, plunging the de into the same wound on Quincy’s shoulder, this time twisting the dagger cruelly.


    Quincy arched his back, his neck veins bulging as he let out an agonized scream. As Quincy’s men hesitated, Adrian, blood spilling from his mouth, growled defiantly, “Step forward if you are not afraid of death! I’m ready for allers.”


    With those words, he got out of the room. His own men, hidden outside, saw him emerge and quickly formed a protective ring around him. The oue was clear.


    Adrian’s assistant rushed to his side, eximing, “Mr. Miller! You’re wounded!” Adrian’s face was ashen, his grip on the dagger weakening. “Mr. Miller! Mr. Miller!”


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