Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 459

It wasn't time to burn bridges with the old crone just yet.

Lacey lovingly stroked Mara's back, patting her gently.

"Our Mara is the only sensible one left."

"I told you from the beginning that Mara was the best of them. See? She's the only one we can rely on now," Adrian said, shooting Mara a meaningful look.

"That's right, Mom. I'll make sure you and Dad are well taken care of for the rest of your lives."

With summer break officially in full swing, Mira's schedule returned to a grueling three-point rotation. She picked up her long-neglected pharmaceutical studies, resumed her martial arts training with Master Ellis, and continued overseeing the conglomerate's operations.

Her goal was to secure her Black Belt Certification and pass the advanced pharmacist licensing exam before the summer ended.

It was an exhausting workload, but she cherished these final days in Melvion City. Mira knew that once she left for university, she wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.

Despite the sheer number of toxic people she had encountered, this city was where she grew up. As her departure loomed, she felt a lingering sense of nostalgia and refused to waste a single second of her remaining time here.

She even squeezed in two art classes a week. It was a hobby from her past life that she refused to abandon; it was a source of pure joy that she intended to carry with her forever.

Stepping out of Master Ellis's dojo, Mira headed toward her chauffeured car to go to the office. Her phone buzzed. It was Lenny Forbes.

"Miss Mercer, Ethan might be in mortal danger."

"What happened?"

"Early this morning, Adrian led a mob of shareholders into Ethan's office and forced a corporate coup."

Mira knew Adrian would pull a stunt like this eventually, but she hadn't expected him to move this fast.

Thank god Ethan had prepared his exit strategy early. If he had been caught off guard, he would have been tossed onto the streets with absolutely nothing.

Given Adrian and Shane's sadistic tendencies, who knew how brutally they would have tortured him?

"Ethan and Lucas have officially severed all ties with the Mercer family."

"Both of them cut ties?"

"Yes, both of them," Lenny said, his breathing heavy, clearly on the move.

"Ethan owns a private condo in the western suburbs. He's driving there right now, but we've spotted an armed ambush waiting on his direct route."

"How far is he from the kill zone?"

Adrian has officially hired Roxanne Porter to personally mentor Mara in managing the Mercer Group."

"What? That foolish old man.

Not only did Adrian kick out his own highly competent son, but he also invited a starving wolf directly into the sheep pen. What is he trying to do? Sabotage his own empire out of sheer spite?

Lenny, get the popcorn ready. We are about to witness a spectacular show."

Adrian actually thought he was a genius for securing such a powerful ally, completely oblivious to the fact that a wolf will always be a wolf—you can never tame it.

He had suffered so many brutal losses at the hands of the Porter family in his early career, yet he still hadn't grasped the true depths of Shane's depravity.

But this played perfectly into Mira's hands. When Porter Entertainment finished devouring the Mercer Group and grew fat with stolen assets, that would be the exact moment Mira brought her own hammer down.

Total victory was within her grasp. She was absolutely certain that Shane wouldn't disappoint her in his greed.

That night, Lenny reported back to Mira. "The hit squad never caught sight of Ethan. They waited in the shadows until nightfall, received a phone call, and retreated.

Miss Mercer, you should hack into Shane and Roxanne's phones. I heavily suspect they orchestrated the hit."

"On it."