Chapter 233

"What... what is this?" Richard's voice trembled with disbelief as he stared at the unexpected presence of another lawyer hired by his mother.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Vanderbilt." The unfamiliar man in a crisp suit stepped forward. "I'm Mr. Hendricks, representing Madam Victoria. She's entrusted me to oversee the Viana Jewelry equity transfer documents. Please review them carefully."

Richard's face darkened instantly when he saw the altered beneficiary name - now changed to Henry Vanderbilt instead of Evelyn.

The document reeked of forgery. Any legal professional could spot the inconsistencies at first glance, let alone someone of Richard's business acumen.

"My dear son," Madam Victoria said with a triumphant smirk, "the contract clearly states Henry as the rightful heir. What possible connection could Viana Jewelry have with Evelyn now?"

She silently thanked Yvette for suggesting this brilliant scheme. Without her daughter-in-law's quick thinking, that cunning Evelyn might have actually gotten her hands on the company shares.

After all, the original document had come from Richard himself. She'd merely... adjusted some minor details.

Richard's laughter erupted like thunder, a dangerous mix of fury and disbelief. His own mother had resorted to such childish, transparent tricks to stop him? The absurdity was almost comical.

The meeting room doors swung open again.

Evelyn entered gracefully, flanked by Mr. Zachary. Her fitted black dress accentuated her slender frame, while the Gothic snake bracelet - her own design - glimmered under the lights. Matching serpent earrings and bold scarlet lips completed the striking ensemble.

Madam Victoria and Yvette exchanged disdainful glances. To them, Evelyn looked every bit the scheming temptress they'd always accused her of being.

Mr. Zachary's presence made Madam Victoria shift uncomfortably in her seat, though she quickly reminded herself that Richard would always remain her son, no matter what.

"My apologies for the delay, Father." Evelyn moved to stand beside Richard, her sharp eyes immediately catching the fraudulent contract on the table. "How interesting," she murmured with an amused smile. "I don't recall there being two versions of this agreement."

Madam Victoria's face twisted in irritation. "What nonsense are you spouting? The terms are clearly outlined in black and white!"

"Are they?" Evelyn's gaze locked onto her grandmother's. "Because I certainly wasn't aware Father had transferred his Viana shares to Cousin Henry."

"That's hardly our concern!" Madam Victoria snapped, eager to push through the announcement.

Richard slammed the document onto the table. "Mother, did you truly think such an amateurish forgery would fool me?"

"Forgery?" Madam Victoria's voice rose an octave. "This is your original contract!"

Yvette interjected quickly, "Richard, look at the details—"

"And what makes you so certain this is Father's contract?" Evelyn's question sliced through the tension like a knife.

The two women exchanged nervous glances, the air thickening with unspoken tension.

"This document came from Mr. Hendricks!" Madam Victoria rallied. "Would a licensed attorney lie to me?"

But when they turned to look, the mysterious lawyer had vanished without a trace.

Evelyn's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Grandmother, it appears you've been deceived."

Madam Victoria paled, realization dawning too late.

Mr. Zachary produced a file from his briefcase and handed it to Richard, who scanned it quickly before holding it up for all to see.

"This," Richard declared, "is the authentic agreement."