Sorry Too Late (by J.J. Twelve) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170 An Invitation to Treachery

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“Darius ordered us to forge the evidence! He told us to pin everything on Mr. Norwood! He stole Mr. Solomon’s drakeblood gemstone himself-he sold it long ago! We’re willing to testify! We’ll expose everything Darius did! Just… protect us!”

Darius had always been cautious, but after using the same group for so many operations, it was impossible for them not to know a few of his secrets. Now, with fear crushing then, they spilled everything. Between their testimony and the video evidence Ivana had uncovered earlier, there was more than enough proof to identify Darius as the mastermind.

In the end, the entire group was taken away for protection.

But as they were escorted out, they witnessed something that nearly scared them to death: every top figure in Silverton was lining up to shake Evan’s hand-even saluting him. That alone proved that Evan was far beyond any figure they could have imagined.

Whatever Darius thought he was-he wasn’t even close.

Darius was finished.

One group after another filed out, and even the Cortex Team eventually departed.

Evan, however, didn’t leave. He remained seated in Ivana’s courtyard, eyes lifted to the clear blue sky, silent.

“What’s wrong? You should be happy. Your name is about to be cleared.”

A gentle breeze carried a faint fragrance as Ivana appeared beside him.

Evan glanced at her, slightly startled, then gave a small smile. “I’m fine.”

There was no doubt that holding the evidence that proved Darius was the true culprit stirred something deep inside him. But the feeling didn’t last long.

It settled quickly, giving way to a flood of tangled thoughts and emotions. After all, three long years had passed before the truth finally surfaced.

During those three years, he had fallen from being the Norwood heir to a foster child of the Solberg family. He had seen far too much-every shade of human warmth and coldness.

Now that the truth was finally surfacing, his heart felt… still.

“That just proves how steady you’ve become. Whether it’s the Norwood family or Mr. Solomon, none of it shakes you anymore,” Ivana said softly beside him. “That’s what true strength looks like. Evan, you’ve grown.”

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Unlike Sylvie or Estelle, who were clingier by nature, Ivana was far more intuitive. She knew when to push and when to hold back. When to be playful. When to be quiet.

That was the charm of a woman who understood people down to their bones.

Evan was about to respond when his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen-

-it was a familiar number.

“It’s the Norwoods…” he murmured.

Ivana’s eyes sharpened. “Answer it.”

“Evan,” Darius’s voice came through-gentle, harmless. “Are you free? We’d like you to come home for dinner.”

“Dinner?”

The words were so unexpected that both Evan and Ivana looked surprised

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Choufes 170 25 5

Brion to Tra her

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“It’s been a while since we all ate together,” Darius continued smoothly. “Not just me. Dad, Mom, Alice, Beverly, Colette… we all hope you’ll come back. Just a simple meal. At home.”

Darius lied without so muck as a tremor in his voice. The Norwoods had never once acknowledged Evan as family.

They had called him a stain. A disgrace. Now they wanted him home?

It was hospitality wrapped around a blade, but Evan only smiled. “All right. I’ll come.”

He knew exactly what it was. And he wanted to see it with his own eyes.

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Chapter 11 The Dymnor That Won a Trop

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