Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 658

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Archer and Olive hurried over.

Seeing they were completely unharmed, the two let out a collective sigh of relief.

Hudson swept his gaze over them. "That crew just now. Who sent them?"

Archer took a half-step forward, lowering his voice. "We've secured the perimeter. Based on their tactics and style, they're foreign mercenaries."

Hudson's brow lifted slightly. "Mercenaries?"

"Yes." Archer nodded. "We believe it's the exact same crew that ambushed Madam in Chicago."

He paused, adding, "I showed them some photos for identification. They all pointed to the same man."

Hudson turned to look at him.

Archer met his gaze, enunciating every syllable clearly. "River Sterling."

Hudson scoffed, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I haven't even gone looking for him yet, and he's already throwing himself at my doorstep."

"Boss, how do you want this handled?"

Hudson's thin lips pressed into a tight line. Before he could speak, he noticed Nora pulling her coat tighter around herself, clearly shivering from the cold.

"There's no rush."

He pulled her into his arms. "Arthur will clean up the rest."

He shot a cool, unfathomable look at Arthur.

Arthur understood immediately, nodding firmly. "Understood, Boss."

Hudson withdrew his gaze and guided Nora into the house.

The door clicked shut behind them.

Arthur watched them disappear into the living room before turning to Archer and Olive with a knowing glance. "Alright. Let's get to work."

Olive flashed a wide, toothy grin, cracking her knuckles loudly. "Hehe, it's been a while since I stretched my legs. Almost forgot how to do my actual job."

Archer smiled brightly, but a chilling, lethal glint flashed across his eyes...

...

Meanwhile, back at Lancaster Hall.

News of the attack on Hudson's car arrived swiftly.

Beatrice sat on the sofa, her face stormy and dark. Clement Burke stood a half-step behind her, slightly bowed, delivering the report of the ambush word for word. Once finished, he stepped back in silence.

The room descended into a heavy stillness.

He raised his eyes, looking at Beatrice with naked pleading. "Mom, you know what the doctors said about Hudson's condition. He doesn't have much time left. The Lancaster empire is massive—we can't just leave it without an heir, can we? I don't have the skill for it, and Lawrence is useless. But River is different. The boy has an iron grip and true vision. If you give the nod, he will absolutely protect the Lancaster legacy."

Beatrice's fingers slowly traced the head of her cane. She didn't respond immediately.

Complex emotions swirled in her cloudy eyes. It took a long time before she finally spoke. "Even so, you cannot make a move against Hudson. His days are numbered. Can you really not wait that long?"

Arthur tightened his lips and said nothing.

He knew the truth in his heart: he couldn't wait.

If he waited until Hudson died to pick up the scraps, what would even be left?

Hudson was a man who calculated every single step while alive, and in death, he would undoubtedly scorch the earth and destroy anything he couldn't take with him.

Rather than passively inheriting a pile of ash, it was better to strike while Hudson was still breathing and seize control.

Beatrice studied his silent profile, perfectly aware of the calculations running through his head, but she chose not to expose him.

She simply closed her eyes and let out a long, heavy sigh. "Bring the boy to see me. Let me get a look at him."

Arthur's head snapped up, his eyes gleaming.

He knew she was finally yielding.

"Yes, Mom," he agreed rapidly, entirely unable to suppress his joyous smile. "I'll arrange it right away."