CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273: I’M THREATENING YOU

Ethan Lynch watched Julian Lawson trying to open the safe, and he sneered.

"Don’t try to force it open." Ethan Lynch said, "The safe has an anti-explosion self-destruct device. If you do that, you won’t have time to get what’s inside."

What’s inside is not the original.

He was already under strict surveillance, questioned layer by layer back in Cygnus. Even though Silas Hawthorne’s people got him out, he still might have his briefcase checked upon returning.

That’s why he brought back a copy and put it in this special safe.

This type of safe is custom-made and can pass Cygnus security checks.

If you press the button on the side or try to open it abnormally, the machine inside will shred the papers in a second, making them irrecoverable.

The moment the safe is violently damaged, they will be shredded, but being a safe, violent destruction takes time, so there’s no chance to save them.

You can only manually try the password.

"An 8-digit code." Ethan Lynch looked at Julian Lawson, whose eyes were red and said, "In theory, you’d need to try a hundred million times, completely manually, without breaking it."

"So..."

Ethan Lynch suddenly pressed Julian Lawson against the car.

"Julian Lawson, you’d better think carefully."

"Think about everything step by step, think about yourself, what have you done!"

Julian Lawson held the safe tightly, looking at Ethan Lynch with red eyes.

He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out.

In the end, he could only clench his teeth and meet Ethan Lynch’s mocking gaze.

An invisible confrontation hung between them. Jude Chaucer watched one then the other, feeling anxious but unable to help.

At this moment.

"Screech—"

The sound of brakes broke the tension.

Everyone looked over.

As the car stopped, Silas Hawthorne opened the door and stepped out.

He supported the heavily made-up Serena Sterling as she stepped out.

"Serena!"

Ethan Lynch immediately approached.

"Brother Ethan." Serena Sterling nodded to Ethan Lynch as she spoke.

Julian Lawson, holding the safe, also wanted to go over, but after taking a few steps, he subconsciously stopped.

She seemed thinner than when he’d last seen her.

Even with a coat over her performance outfit, she looked as light as a piece of paper.

Shayla Randall’s words to him echoed in his mind again.

Stop provoking her.

Silas Hawthorne looked at Serena Sterling worriedly.

He was about to leave the venue when Serena noticed him and followed.

On the way, Silas Hawthorne told Serena about what Ethan Lynch had mentioned.

"Though it’s unclear what Ethan has exactly, he can be pretty sure." Silas Hawthorne said.

Serena Sterling watched Ethan Lynch come toward her anxiously, smiled, and said, "Brother Ethan, my concert is about to start. I’ve saved a seat for you. Let’s go watch the concert together."

Ethan Lynch wanted to expose Vera Hansen first.

But Serena Sterling shook her head.

"I’ll handle this." She said, "You’ve done enough for me."

Earlier, Silas Hawthorne had called Cygnus from the car on speaker; she heard it clearly.

She knew Ethan Lynch had broken into an institution, got injured, and was detained and questioned in Cygnus.

She wasn’t sure what Ethan Lynch had obtained in Cygnus.

By now, there might be ways to resolve things privately, but if Ethan Lynch released the items during Vera’s livestream, there’d be no room for maneuver, and Cygnus could issue an international warrant.

She waited for news from Ethan Lynch, but she’d also told him it was okay if he couldn’t find anything. She’d prepared for him to return empty-handed, like Jasper Ford’s friends had.

She hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point, where Ethan Lynch might even face imprisonment.

It was her fault.

Moreover, this matter was supposed to be handled by her.

Ethan Lynch opened his mouth to say something, but Serena Sterling looked at him seriously.

"Alright." Ethan Lynch understood her determination and agreed.

Julian Lawson still stood there, watching her from afar, holding the safe.

He was about to speak when—

"Is it so lively here?" A female voice came.

Everyone turned around.

It was Vera Hansen.

Vera Hansen walked over, followed by her hurried assistant carrying livestream equipment.

Silas Hawthorne understood Serena’s intentions and quickly pushed Ethan Lynch into the car, keeping him out of the camera frame.

Vera Hansen strolled over, smiling at those present.

"Why are you all here?" Vera Hansen asked, looking at Serena Sterling, wrapped in a coat, "Serena, aren’t you supposed to be performing your concert? Why are you here?"

Silas furrowed his brows slightly, intending to speak, but Serena stopped him.

Witnessing this, Vera immediately displayed a pitiful expression, appearing frightened.

Julian Lawson wanted to say something, but Vera looked at him: "Brother Julian, are you siding with her too?"

This put Julian Lawson in a predicament.

Then she added, "Serena, what are you planning to do to me?"

The livestream camera captured everything, as Serena watched Vera’s act.

"I do want to do something." Serena said.

This surprised Vera, as she hadn’t expected Serena’s reply.

Serena took bold steps forward, Silas worriedly tried to follow, but she held him back and continued alone.

Serena looked at Vera seriously, step by step.

Finally, she stopped right before Vera.

Vera appeared frightened, with reddened eyes and trembling body, looking as if Serena had done something outrageous to her.

Viewers flooded into the livestream, causing the chat to refresh rapidly.

"Serena, what... what are you going to do?" Vera cried.

"I want an explanation." Serena said calmly.

Serena stared at Vera.

"An explanation?" Vera looked "wronged" at Serena, then at Julian Lawson, who kept his distance to avoid provoking Serena, and suddenly seemed to understand, saying, "Is it about Brother Julian?"

"But don’t you already have Silas Hawthorne?" Vera deliberately implied Serena was two-timing.

"No." Serena did not spare a glance at Julian Lawson, saying only, "Vera, do you remember all the things you’ve done these past days?"

Vera slightly furrowed her brows, looking at Serena in bewilderment.

She didn’t understand what Serena meant.

Nor did she know why Serena showed up here.

In her plan, Serena was not supposed to appear.

"Do you need me to remind you?" Serena continued.

"Serena, are you threatening me?" Vera asked with red eyes, "Do you know how many people are watching now?"

The more Serena looked at Vera, the more disgusted she felt.

Who was threatening whom?

However...

"You can interpret it that way." Serena said calmly, "I’m threatening you."