Chapter 710

The senior board member narrowed his eyes, already calculating his next move.

"Mrs. Hamilton, your points are valid. But you and Mr. Hamilton are divorced now. With him absent, these are just your claims. If the payment is delayed and the company's reputation suffers, who will take responsibility?"

The project manager's forehead glistened with sweat. He desperately needed that kickback to cover his losses. With the Laurent family unreachable, the cash flow was on the verge of collapse. If the deal fell through, his shady dealings would be exposed.

Evelyn gave him a cool glance, her gaze as calm as still water.

"I heard you've been overseeing this project. Now that the Laurents are clearly in trouble, why the rush for payment? Aren't you worried about the company's funds going down the drain?" She paused. "I have a stake in this too."

She knew full well that Hamilton Group's funds had nothing to do with her—even Alexander couldn't access them freely. But to thwart their scheme, she had to play along.

The manager's face turned ashen. Humiliated, he slammed the table and stood. "Are you questioning my professionalism?"

Evelyn calmly lifted her teacup. "I'm merely raising reasonable concerns."

The tension in the boardroom thickened. Finally, the old fox softened his tone. "Mrs. Hamilton, how about we wait for Mr. Hamilton's return before making a decision?"

He was banking on a delay tactic. No one knew when Alexander would be back, and Evelyn couldn't camp out at the company indefinitely. Once she left, they could push things through.

The senior board member shot the manager a meaningful look.

Just as the manager was about to speak, Evelyn abruptly stood.

"Fine. We'll wait for Mr. Hamilton." She turned to her assistant. "Call for backup."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Before anyone could react, Evelyn strode straight to Alexander's office with her assistant in tow. When they emerged, they'd taken not just his laptop but also his seal and critical documents.

The office was nearly stripped bare, leaving only the furniture behind.

Several staff members wanted to stop her but had no grounds. They could only watch helplessly as the company seal was carried away.

The finance team scattered like startled birds. A subordinate whispered nervously, "Should we... still transfer the funds?"

"Without the seal? Impossible!" The manager glared at the senior board member, teeth clenched. "Should we—"

The older man cut him off with a dark look. "This has nothing to do with us. I need to make a call."

Meanwhile, Alexander finally stirred from unconsciousness.

His last memory was blinding headlights and the world spinning violently. The drugs and impact had knocked him out cold.

An unfamiliar ceiling greeted him when he opened his eyes.

The spacious room was sparsely furnished, like a suburban villa. Though the windows were wide, they were barred with steel.

"Alex, you're awake." Lydia's saccharine voice floated from beside the bed.

Alexander tried to move his arms but found them barely responsive. His gaze turned icy. "What did you drug me with?"

Lydia, dressed in a frilly doll-like dress, propped her chin on her hands. "I had no choice. You don't see how good I am for you yet, so I brought you here. Once we spend more time together, you'll understand my feelings."

His eyes darkened like ink. "Where is this?"

He needed to buy time. His greatest worry was Evelyn's safety in his absence.

"This place?" Lydia fiddled with the lace on her skirt. "It's somewhere nice and private."

Suppressing his rage, Alexander changed tactics. "Keeping me locked up means abandoning your father?"

Lydia tilted her head thoughtfully. "Of course I want to save Daddy. But Alex, you were lying, weren't you? You never planned to help him."

This house was her carefully chosen fortress—utterly secure. For once, she spoke honestly.

"Just relax and stay here. I'll take good care of you." She beamed sweetly. "As for Daddy... once things are settled outside, he'll join us. Then we'll be one happy family."

Alexander's voice dropped to a dangerous chill. "How exactly do you plan to 'settle' things? That village has hundreds of people. You can't silence them all."

"Of course not." Lydia blinked innocently. "But everyone has weaknesses. Either pay them off or... make an example. There are always ways."

"An example?" Alexander sat bolt upright. "What else are you planning? To turn people into vegetables like that college student?!"

"Don't be mad, Alex~" She pouted. "Those ingrates had their chance when I developed the mountain village, but they got greedy. People like that need... persuasion."

His pupils constricted. "So this was all your idea."

"I'd make a better CEO than Evelyn, don't you think?" Lydia preened. "Once I inherit Banyan Group, you can teach me everything. I'll learn faster than her. That rigid mind of hers only belongs in an operating room."

Alexander's fists clenched the sheets, his voice trembling with suppressed fury. "Where's Evelyn? What have you done to her?"