Chapter 698

He deliberately avoided the crucial issues, refusing to acknowledge the poisoning crime. The unidentified corpse was dismissed with a casual remark.

Lydia Laurent's tears welled up instantly, her eyes reddening. She stood on trembling legs, her frail frame looking as if it might dissolve in the wind. "Alexander, my father made a terrible mistake this time..."

Alexander Hamilton didn’t even glance up, focused entirely on the baby in his arms. The little one giggled, playing with his shirt buttons.

"So your idea of a prime location is someone else’s home?" His voice was eerily calm. "The water test results will be out soon. Mr. Laurent knows the consequences of poisoning."

Leonard Laurent’s forehead glistened with sweat. Lydia subtly tugged at his sleeve.

This seemingly fragile daughter was the true mastermind behind the Laurent family.

"Mr. Hamilton, I accept the penalty." Leonard suddenly pulled out his phone and dialed a number in front of everyone. After a brief conversation, he uttered a familiar name.

Alexander watched the performance coldly.

"I’ve reported the project manager to the police," Leonard declared righteously. "Such endangerment of public safety must be punished severely."

The scapegoat he offered was a loyal subordinate who had served him for over a decade.

Alexander finally looked at him. "Mr. Laurent, sacrificing pawns to save the king—you’re quite skilled at that."

Lydia quickly interjected, "Alexander, Father had no choice. If that uncle really allowed the poisoning, he deserves legal consequences."

With a few words, the mastermind became an accomplice, and the true criminal was painted as the righteous one.

Evelyn Carter had intended to stay out of it, but now she spoke up. "Miss Laurent seems very informed about the case?"

Lydia blinked her innocent eyes. "Evelyn, I know nothing about managing a company. I heard you once took over the Anderson Group. Could you teach me?"

"You could ask Mr. Laurent directly."

That was exactly what Lydia wanted. She feigned naivety. "Father tried to teach me, but I’m too slow. Not like you, with Alexander guiding you every step. By the way, did your father return to the company because you went to the countryside?"

The abrupt shift was clumsy but effective.

Evelyn cut straight to the point. "What are you implying?"

"I’m just worried about you," Lydia said timidly. "Everyone in our circle is saying the Anderson heiress lacks manners, doesn’t even know basic social etiquette..."

Alexander’s head snapped up. "Who said that?"

"Just... things I overheard at parties..."

"Specific dates. Locations." His gaze was piercing. "List every name."

Lydia paled. She hadn’t expected Alexander to press the issue.

Evelyn suddenly laughed. "They’re saying I’m inferior to Annabelle, right? I’ll admit to that."

The temperature in the room plummeted.

Alexander enunciated each word. "Give me every single name of those spreading rumors. Not one left out."