Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 444

Not only had Mira taken first place in the national academic decathlon, but she had also somehow established herself as a high-profile fund manager.

"If we let her keep climbing, she'll become completely untouchable," Roxanne said, her eyes narrowing. "Once she gets too big, she's going to turn around and crush us. No. The moment we finish off Ethan, we focus all our resources on destroying her."

Shane nodded slowly. "How is the situation with Ethan progressing?"

Since returning to Mavaria, his daughter had proven to be a ruthlessly effective right hand.

"Everything is on track," Roxanne replied with a cold smile. "The first dose of the drug should be in his system tonight."

"Good."

At the Mercer estate, the atmosphere around the dinner table was suffocating. Mara played the dutiful daughter, carefully ladling out the soup.

She served her parents first, then placed a small, elegant bowl in front of Ethan before finally serving herself.

"You're growing up, Mara. So thoughtful," Ethan noted, though his voice was laced with sarcasm as he stared at the steaming liquid. He vividly remembered Mira's warning to watch what he ate. A cold knot formed in his stomach, and he didn't touch the spoon.

From the corner of her eye, Mara kept darting nervous glances at him. That drug had cost a fortune. The thug had initially promised it for ten grand, but had jacked the price up to fifty grand at the last second. If Ethan didn't drink it, she wasn't sure if she could source another batch.

The television in the living room was playing a replay of Mira's victory interview, but everyone at the table pointedly ignored it, silently agreeing not to upset Mara.

"Mrs. Higgins, turn the TV off," Lacey finally ordered, annoyed by the reporter's endless praise of Mira.

Turning her attention back to the table, Lacey noticed Ethan glaring at his bowl. "Mara went out of her way to serve you. Why aren't you drinking?"

"I don't have an appetite for soup tonight," Ethan replied flatly.

"Drink it," he commanded, his voice dripping with ice.

"Ethan... I was just trying to be nice..." she stammered, her face draining of color. "Why are you..."

"What the hell is wrong with you, Ethan?!" Lacey exploded, standing up from her chair.

But Ethan didn't blink. He kept his predatory gaze fixed entirely on Mara. His suspicions were screaming at him now. "If there's nothing wrong with the soup, why won't you drink it?"

After Julian's mysterious accident, paranoia had become his default state. Combined with Mara's previous betrayal of stealing the company's bid data for the Porters, Ethan was certain she was a parasite trying to kill them all.

Realizing she was cornered, Mara trembled as she reached for the bowl. "Fine... I'll drink it."