A blatant power play. Naked humiliation.
The late autumn water was cold enough to induce hypothermia in minutes, and the currents here were treacherous.
Evelyn tugged at Liam's sleeve, feigning concern. "Liam, forget it."
"If it's lost, it's lost. The water is too cold. Sister's body is weak—don't make her go."
Her mouth said *no*, but her eyes danced with anticipation.
"It's your wedding ring," Liam said coldly. "It must be found."
"Isn't she a professional? If she can't handle a little dip, what was she doing acting tough with fifty million dollars?"
I ignored their performance. Bent down and handed the child to my assistant.
Shed my coat, revealing the black wetsuit underneath.
"One condition."
I checked the oxygen tank, voice flat.
"I retrieve the ring; you destroy the DNA test on the spot. Unopened. From then on, the Farley family and I are even. This child has nothing to do with you."
Liam froze, then scoffed. "So eager to destroy it? You know the result will ruin you. Fine. I agree."
In his eyes, my bargaining was just an admission of guilt.
I pulled on my goggles. Bit down on the regulator.
Jumped.
I broke the surface without a splash, vanishing into the gray-black water.
On the dock, the monitoring screen flickered to life, displaying the real-time feed from my suit.
My heart rate: a steady, flat line.
Liam stared at the readout, brows knitting together.
The water was forty-six degrees. My calm irritated him.
Visibility was almost nonexistent.
Suddenly—a powerful surge slammed into me.
*Sabotage.*
The air supply hose shuddered violently, and the flow from the regulator cut off.
Suffocation hit instantly.
I looked up. Through the murky water, the operator under the boat was violently shaking the line.
Evelyn had bribed someone.
She wanted me dead.
On the monitoring screen, my heart rate didn't even flicker.
I didn't scream. I didn't struggle.
Deadly calm settled over me like a second skin. My fingers found the main air supply hose, severed it, and twisted open the backup mini cylinder.
Child's play.
The water's momentum became my weapon. I flipped hard, breaking the undercurrent's grip, and plunged straight into the seabed silt. Rusted scrap metal. Rotting nets. And there—a faint glint.
My fingers hooked like talons and snatched the ring with vicious precision.
Three minutes later, I broke the surface.