### Chapter 69 “Gamble again, and I swear I’ll personally saw off both your arms!” Henry's voice cut through the air like a sharpened knife, seething with rage. “Why are you taking it out on him? He’s just come to! Do you really think he lost all that money on his own? I’m convinced it was that little monster, Cassandra Tate!” Olivia’s voice rose in indignation as she stormed out of the room, angrily dialing Cassandra's number. Not long after, Cassandra stepped into the dimly lit room, her eyes immediately finding Cole, who lay frail and pale on the hospital bed. A deep wave of guilt washed over her, making her hang her head in shame. “Mom… Why are you pointing fingers at Cassandra? Someone plotted against me last night, or else I wouldn’t have lost that much!” Cole’s voice, though weak, bore a newfound clarity, revealing the fire burning inside him. “It was Uncle Elliot… He’s the only one who could do this! He’s furious that I once dated Avery Tate, and he wants me dead!” “I know it’s that ruthless uncle of yours!” Olivia shrieked, her eyes wide with panic. “He’s deranged! He doesn’t care about you or your father! We have to be careful not to provoke him!” Henry shoved Olivia aside, frustration boiling over. “What are you blathering about in front of an outsider?! Elliot and I have never seen eye to eye because of our age gap! If your son had any grit, Elliot wouldn’t dare swat him down like a fly! Take a good look at yourselves; it’s enough to give anyone a migraine!” With that, he stormed out, leaving tension hanging in the room like a thick fog. “Mom, don’t cry! It’s all my fault. I’m nothing but a coward! Why did you even bother saving me? You should have let me slip away!” Cole’s voice trembled with self-loathing. “Don’t talk like that, Elliot! You might not be as cruelly cunning as your uncle, but in my eyes, you are far superior!” Cassandra squeezed his arm gently, her voice filled with a fierce determination. “Get better first, then we’ll figure out a way to exact our revenge! Once he’s out of the picture, your father will stop comparing you to him!” Cole’s despair began to ebb, and Olivia’s sobs softened to mere sniffles. “Cole, you’ve seen Avery’s true nature now, right? She’s aligned with your uncle, and you need to let her go. We must eliminate both of them! Once they’re gone, your uncle’s fortune will be yours.” Cassandra’s ambition was glaringly evident, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous allure. Olivia turned her cold gaze toward Cassandra. “What do you bring to this table? I heard your mother got a fortune from the Tate family. Why didn’t she step in to help with those loan sharks last night?!” Cassandra pouted, defensive. “While it’s true my mom has money, she’s currently setting up a new company overseas. By the time that venture takes off, our wealth might eclipse even Elliot Foster’s! The foreign market is ripe with opportunities…” “Don’t feed me that nonsense! The way you two were gambling last night, you would have bled out every cent!” Olivia snapped. “Please, we swear it won’t happen again!” Cassandra raised her hands in resignation, tears brimming in her eyes. “We were just curious, wanting to see what it was like. It was a mistake!” “Cole is our last hope, especially since Elliot won’t have any children,” Olivia lamented, her voice heavy with maternal concern. “Why is that? Is there something wrong with him?” Cassandra asked, genuine curiosity spilling from her lips. “I’m not spilling any secrets to you! You aren’t even my daughter-in-law yet,” Olivia retorted coldly. “You want my forgiveness? Prove you’ll support Cole from now on.” “I’ll do whatever it takes! Just watch me,” Cassandra declared, her confidence radiating like a fierce light. Meanwhile, across town, Chelsea occupied a plush booth at a chic restaurant, holding a glass of red wine like it was a precious artifact. Anxiety twisted her brow as she beseeched, “Charlie, have you lost your mind? Are you really trying to shatter my heart by giving that much cash to Avery Tate? If you're flush with money, how about sharing some with me?” Charlie shook his head dismissively. “I can easily give you whatever you need, Chelsea, but you’re missing the point. Money can’t mend the wounds Elliot Foster has inflicted. I’m just returning the favor, giving him a taste of his own medicine.” “Really? You think you can thread the needle with Avery Tate? Do you genuinely believe Elliot will simply let that slide? He’s infatuated with her.” Each syllable dripped with skepticism as Chelsea’s disbelief grew with every passing moment. “Stay out of this mess, Charlie,” she warned urgently. “It’ll cause me more trouble than you know if you make an enemy of Elliot.” “I’ve never gotten along with him anyway,” Charlie replied nonchalantly, swirling his wine glass and regarding her with an easy smile. “I see potential in Tate Industries. They’re not as dreadful as people claim. Once I get involved, I’ll turn that entire company around.” Chelsea shot him a look of disbelief, fists clenched slightly. “Avery Tate is my sworn enemy. Are you actively trying to rile me up by giving her financial backing?” “Look at it from a fresh angle. Helping her might just win her over,” he offered, the corners of his mouth tilting mischievously. “And what if she doesn’t fall for your charm? You’re remarkable, no doubt, but I still think Elliot has the edge.” Admiration slipped into her voice as her thoughts drifted. “His authority, his indifference, his self-restraint—” “Do you know how his father met his end?” Charlie interrupted, a scoff escaping his lips. He leaned back, swirling the wine again before locking eyes with her. “Elliot killed him.”