Chapter 268: You Know What to Do

“Of course. Look at everything I’ve done for you lately. Given the Sterling Family’s standing, I have no reason to go out of my way to offend Asher Keating and the Grant Family.”

Morgan Sterling smiled faintly, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. He looked at the woman before him, a little curious as to why she was suddenly asking this.

“Then… would you be willing to kill Leah Sinclair for me?”

“What?”

Morgan Sterling grabbed Phoebe Peyton’s hand and frowned. ‘Has this woman lost her mind? Kill Leah Sinclair?’

“Yes!”

Phoebe Peyton sat up straight, the malice in her eyes growing more apparent. Ever since the idea had first popped into her head, she hadn’t been able to control it.

She had thought it over and over. The only way to solve this once and for all was for Leah Sinclair to die. Otherwise, even if she managed to marry Asher Keating, Leah would always have a place in his heart.

Only the dead are for remembering, and remembering is all you can do.

Seeing Morgan Sterling frown, Phoebe Peyton leaned in again, a sweet smile on her face. “Only when she’s dead will Asher forget her. I know you must have people who can do this. We just need to stage an accident, without anyone ever knowing…”

As she spoke, her fingers slowly trailed down his body. Morgan Sterling caught her hand, his tone ominous. “Let me think about this. Making her die isn’t difficult, but… what happens after she’s dead?”

“I know. That’s why I’m discussing it with you.”

Phoebe Peyton sighed. She wasn’t that stupid. Staging an accident was easy; the aftermath was the hard part. The key was how to do it perfectly, without arousing suspicion from Asher Keating or the Grant Family.

Besides, she was running out of time. If Liam Peyton’s trip back home went smoothly, his engagement would be settled soon. Then it would be her turn. Elijah Peyton had already called her, and everything he said hinted that he planned to marry her off in an alliance.

Morgan Sterling looked at the woman before him, sneering inwardly, but his expression remained gentle. “Let me plan this out properly,” he said in a warm tone. “In the meantime, don’t you dare make any rash moves. I’ll let you know when I have a plan.”

“I understand. I know what’s at stake. We’re in the same boat now, after all.” As Phoebe Peyton spoke, she exhaled softly by Morgan Sterling’s ear, her smile captivating.

“Mm, I know. It’s getting late. Have Hugh Sterling take you home. I’m a bit tired.”

Morgan Sterling patted her hand reassuringly, a trace of fatigue showing on his face. Phoebe Peyton couldn’t very well stay any longer. She put her mask and hat back on, and Hugh Sterling led her out.

When Hugh Sterling returned, he seemed hesitant to speak. Morgan Sterling glanced at him before turning back to the night view outside the window. “Something on your mind?”

“Chairman Sterling, are you really going to consider what Miss Peyton just said?”

“Hah, consider what? She’s crazy, but am I? Kill Leah Sinclair… The nerve of her to even think of it.”

Morgan Sterling sneered. He saw right through Phoebe Peyton’s scheme. She was just spooked by the news of Liam Peyton’s engagement, terrified that she would be next.

Plus, if she used him to kill Leah Sinclair and the truth ever got out, Asher Keating and the Grant Family would come after him, Morgan Sterling. And Phoebe Peyton’s hands would be clean.

‘Leah Sinclair.’

Morgan Sterling thought of what Leah Sinclair looked like, and his heart grew colder. ‘This woman… I haven’t even gotten my hands on her yet. Kill her? No way.’

“But Chairman Sterling, if you don’t agree, do you think Miss Peyton might… tell people about you two? That last thing she said… I felt like she was threatening you.”

This was what Hugh Sterling was worried about. They had reviewed everything over the past two days. The Sterling Group had suffered huge losses recently; it couldn’t afford any more trouble.

If Phoebe Peyton used this to blackmail Morgan Sterling and he refused, she could spread the story. Then, forget Asher Keating—the Grant Family and the Peyton Family wouldn’t let them off the hook either.

A thin, cold smile played on Morgan Sterling’s lips. “Keep a close eye on her. Don’t let her do anything stupid. Whether she decides to kill Leah Sinclair herself or she tries to spill the beans… if it really comes to that, you know what to do, right?”

Hugh Sterling’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at Morgan Sterling and hesitated. “Chairman Sterling, isn’t… isn’t that too risky? She’s from the Peyton Family.”

“Hah, just a pawn the Peyton Family can cast aside at any moment. Does she think she has the right to threaten me?”

The implication of Phoebe Peyton’s last sentence was clear. It seemed like she was discussing things with him, but in reality, she was warning him: if her life became difficult, she wouldn’t let him have an easy time either.

Morgan Sterling stared at the dark, heavy sky, his face grim. ‘When did it get to the point where every Tom, Dick, and Harry could threaten me?’

Edward Yates and his team were quick this time. Aaron Keating did indeed own a small apartment. Because it was in a rather remote location, Asher Keating had left it alone. Edward’s team checked the surrounding surveillance footage and had someone tail Phoebe Peyton, confirming that she and Morgan Sterling were indeed in contact and their relationship was far from simple.

That day, after finishing his report to Asher Keating, Edward Yates added, “Sir, we’ve discovered that it’s not just our people tailing Miss Peyton. Morgan Sterling has people following her too.”

Asher Keating raised an eyebrow. “Morgan Sterling has people following her too?”

“Yes. And according to our men, ever since Miss Peyton went to the hospital to see Morgan Sterling that one time, the two haven’t met again. Miss Peyton has gone to the hospital a few times, but she hasn’t been inside since.”

“I see. Tell them to get ready. The day Morgan Sterling is discharged from the hospital, we’ll send him a ‘big gift’ first.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”

After Edward Yates left, Asher Keating leaned against his desk and lit a cigarette. He looked out at the gloomy sky. From the 68th floor, the high-rises were shrouded in a thick fog. Occasional flashes of lightning tore through the sky in the distance, giving the distinct impression of the calm before the storm.

After a low rumble of thunder, Leah Sinclair ran into the Baystream Building. The moment she was inside, a torrential downpour began. Louise Holt repeatedly expressed her relief at their good timing; otherwise, the two of them would have been soaked to the bone.

Leah Sinclair looked up at the curtain of rain outside and thought of Asher Keating’s recent message. He had only said one thing: it was confirmed.

She knew Asher Keating had decided to make his move.

Asher Keating didn’t come home for three whole days, and for three whole days, it rained in Riverfall. The continuous downpour stirred a strange, recurring melancholy in people’s hearts.

It happened to be the weekend. As Leah Sinclair entered the Keating Group building, holding an umbrella and a thermal lunch container, she ran into Phoebe Peyton and her group, who were moving things.

Phoebe Peyton saw her too and greeted her with a smile. Leah asked her, “The rain’s coming down so hard. Why not move another day?”

“My brother already picked this as an auspicious day. Besides, more rain means more water, which also means more wealth.”

Phoebe Peyton had someone load a sealed box into a vehicle, then turned back to her and smiled. “Are you here to bring Asher his lunch?”

“Mhm, I’ll head up then.”

Leah Sinclair was about to leave, but Phoebe Peyton stopped her. “Leah Grant, did you know my brother is already looking at dates for his engagement?”