The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 179

With the final, brutal swing of the bat, a sickening crunch echoed through the room as the man's ribs completely shattered.

The beaten driver lay slumped in the chair, coughing up blood, desperately trying to lift his head.

Through his swollen eyes, he looked across the room at the man who had single-handedly annihilated his entire crew of eight.

Julian Vance sat elegantly in a leather chair, his legs crossed, his strikingly handsome face completely calm, as if he were enjoying an afternoon at a museum.

Throughout the entire bloody interrogation, Julian hadn't spoken a single word.

He wasn't yelling. He wasn't even angry.

But the absolute, dead-eyed indifference radiating from him was far more terrifying than any threat. He looked like the Grim Reaper casually waiting to collect a soul.

The driver's psychological breaking point finally shattered.

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Please, just stop hitting me!"

By noon the next day, a massive, explosive headline dominated every major news outlet and trended at number one across all social media platforms.

[BREAKING: THE PRESTON CORPORATION RAIDED BY FEDERAL AGENTS FOR MASSIVE TAX EVASION. CEO CALEB PRESTON TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AT DAWN.]

Caleb Preston had operated like a tyrant in the business world for decades. Seeing him finally get dragged out of his mansion in handcuffs had countless people secretly cheering in their offices.

Audrey felt like her entire world had just collapsed. She was sobbing hysterically, completely inconsolable.

"Grandma, what are we going to do?! Are they going to put my dad in prison?!"

Eleanor was still trapped in a state of sheer, paralyzing shock. She hadn't seen this coming at all.

How could something like this happen entirely out of nowhere?

"Grandma... please!" Audrey wailed, terrified by the old woman's silence. "You have to help him! Please!"

Eleanor pulled the sobbing girl into her arms, trying to sound confident.

"Shhh, it's alright. Don't panic. This has to be a massive misunderstanding. A man of your father's stature doesn't commit tax fraud. Once the authorities review the books, they'll realize they made a mistake."

Audrey rubbed her swollen, bloodshot eyes. "Grandma, I'm so sorry. I've brought so much trouble to this family..."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, child," Eleanor soothed. "This has absolutely nothing to do with you. Stop overthinking it. I could never blame you for this."

Just as she finished speaking, Claire practically skipped into the living room, looking like she had just won the lottery.

Eleanor, already on edge, finally snapped at her.

"Where the hell have you been these past few days?! Leo was in the hospital, and you didn't even bother to show up! What on earth have you been doing?!"

Claire didn't even look guilty. She was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Grandma, I told you I was flying out to Austin for a few days to hang out with some friends! Did you forget?"

Whatever this Hailey girl had, Claire had, too.

Sooner or later, she was going to steal Julian Vance right out from under this bitch's nose.

Downstairs, the front door swung open, and Adrian walked in.

Audrey practically threw herself at him.

"Adrian!"

Adrian had seen the breaking news on his phone and rushed straight home.

He knew how fragile Audrey was, and he was terrified she was going to have a complete nervous breakdown.

Her husband had recently died, and now her father was being hauled off to federal prison. Adrian felt an overwhelming surge of pity and fiercely protective love for her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, crushing her to his chest.

"It's okay. Don't be scared. I'm right here."

Audrey buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Adrian, I'm so terrified. I'm scared they're going to lock my dad away forever. And I'm scared your family is going to be so disgusted by the scandal that you'll throw me out."

Adrian held her tighter, his voice fierce and unwavering.

"You silly girl. I promised you I would take care of you for the rest of your life. I promised I would never abandon you, no matter what happens. Have you forgotten?"