HxH: Apex Predator

Chapter 44: Exposure & Choice

At this moment, inside Andrea's study, an eerie silence had settled between the two of them following his question.

Since he had spoken, Andrea's expression hadn't changed in the slightest.

Jessica, however, was different. Her eyes first showed confusion, then shock, before finally settling into an expression of fear and unease.

Seeing her struggling internally, Andrea smiled once again and repeated his question, his gaze encouraging her to answer.

Jessica seemed to make up her mind. She looked directly into his eyes and declared with unwavering certainty, "Yes."

The moment she spoke the word, it was as if all the energy had been drained from her body. Her entire demeanor shifted drastically, and after giving her answer, she looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Andrea's smile grew even wider upon hearing her response.

Taking two quick strides forward, he pulled Jessica into his embrace and whispered gently in her ear, "Then tell me, why do you think this way?

Is it because you lack faith in me, or is it that your superiors have given you new orders?"

Jessica didn't answer his question. Instead, she asked in return, "When did you start suspecting me?"

"I don't remember exactly, but I was certain after the family succession battle."

"Then why didn't you expose me until now? And what do you plan to do with me, now that you know I'm a spy?"

"No, no, Jessica. Don't forget—we've been husband and wife for eight years. How could I possibly harm you? All I want is for us to work together to build a better life.

So, I need you to help me—just a little—so my plan can go smoothly."

"That's impossible! I will never agree to your request. Your ambition will lead the family to ruin!

The best course of action right now is to keep the family neutral, stay out of this mess, and wait for the East Coast turmoil to resolve itself."

"Oh, Jessica, you disappoint me. I thought that after all these years, we'd understand each other without words.

But let me remind you—right now, you are the matriarch of the Agnelli family and the mother of Giovanni and Eduardo. You should make your choice carefully."

As soon as Andrea finished speaking, Jessica suddenly broke free from his embrace, pulled out a concealed micro pistol, and aimed it directly at his chest. Her stance was tense, her entire body radiating alertness.

She screamed, her voice filled with fury and hysteria, "Are you insane? You bastard! Andrea, you lunatic!

Giovanni and Eduardo are your sons!"

"I know. And I trust your loyalty to our love, Jessica. I even took them for a paternity test. They're undoubtedly our sons."

"Shut up, you madman! There has never been love between us! I was just completing my mission. There was never any real relationship between us—never!"

"Oh, that really hurts, Jessica.

It makes me question my own charm—eight years, and I still couldn't win my wife's heart?"

"But I do believe in the power of a mother's love. It surpasses romantic love.

It gives mothers the strength to go beyond their limits, the will to sacrifice everything—just like you're doing now."

"Eight years ago, as a highly trained agent from Saherta's most elite intelligence agency—the Federal Intelligence Bureau—you wouldn't have hesitated to pull the trigger and blow my head off."

"And yet, eight years later, here you are, screaming at me with a gun to my chest.

I believe it's your love for our children that is keeping you from pulling the trigger."

Andrea's voice was calm, yet his words were like daggers.

"So, if we can harness that same strength to protect our family from threats, I believe we can overcome anything.

What do you think, my dear?"

"You... you're insane!

Do you even understand? They could just as easily make Giovanni and Eduardo disappear! They could erase your entire family from existence!"

"I know. That's why I have to ensure we become an entity so powerful that the cost of destroying us is too great to bear.

That's why I'm asking you to reconsider my proposal. If we work together, we can achieve anything—but only if you give it your all.

So, Jessica, make your choice."

The room fell silent once more.

Tears silently streamed down Jessica's beautiful face.

Her eyes shut tightly, and her body collapsed as if all the strength had been drained from her.

She dropped to her knees, arms hanging limply at her sides. The micro pistol had vanished from her grasp, discarded somewhere in the room.

Her voice trembled as she muttered over and over, "Madman... bastard... Andrea, you lunatic..."

She had made her choice.

And he knew she had made her choice.

Because when faced with an imminent crisis versus a distant, uncertain threat—most people made the same decision.

Andrea continued to smile. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jessica from behind, whispering softly in her ear, "I'm sorry, my dear. It seems I still have much to improve as a husband.

I think we should have a daughter.

Giovanni and Eduardo are too lively—they would love a little sister. It's been a while since we had a beautiful night together.

After everything that's happened tonight, you must be exhausted. Let me take care of you."

Jessica was motionless, like a puppet whose strings had been cut, her soul seemingly drained away.

Meanwhile, Ryker had been training inside the kamui space for two consecutive days, honing his abilities. It wasn't until his food supply ran out that he finally returned to reality.

Unbeknownst to him, all the players had already taken their positions.

Across the entire underground world of Yorbian Continent, and even among influential crime lords from other continents, countless eyes were now fixed on the grand stage.

The East Coast of Saherta was like a powder keg with a lit fuse—every spectator holding their breath, waiting for the one who would ignite the flames.

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