Chapter 241

At Cornelia Police Station—

"Officer, there must be some mistake! My son would never sell drugs!" Yvette Warren's voice trembled with desperation.

Beside her, Madam Victoria clutched her chest, her face ashen. "He's just a boy! How could he be involved in something like this?"

Their panic was justified. If Henry Vanderbilt was convicted of drug distribution, the consequences would be far worse than when York had been arrested for money laundering.

Henry was the sole heir of the Vanderbilt family—the only one who could carry on their legacy. A criminal record would stain his future. What respectable family would marry their daughter to a felon?

The officer taking the statement looked up, his expression stern. "He's in his twenties. That's hardly a child. Our officers found narcotics in his possession, and given the severity of the case, he's looking at a minimum of five years in prison."

Madam Victoria swayed, her knees buckling. If not for Yvette's grip, she would have collapsed. "Officer, please, this must be a misunderstanding! My grandson is a good boy!"

"A good boy?" The officer scoffed, slamming his palm on the table. "Henry has been arrested multiple times for illegal gambling. We've let him off with warnings, but he never learns. And now? He's crossed a line that can't be ignored."

Yvette's face drained of color. She turned on Lydia, who stood silently nearby. "This is your fault! You were supposed to watch over him!"

Lydia's eyes burned with indignation. "Me? Henry has always been reckless! Why am I suddenly to blame?"

"He's your brother!" Yvette snapped.

Lydia let out a bitter laugh. "Of course. It's always about Henry. And look where your blind favoritism has gotten him!" With that, she stormed out, leaving the two women in stunned silence.

The weight of Henry's impending sentence crushed them. But then, Yvette's phone buzzed. A single photo appeared—one that made her blood run cold.

At Soul Jewelry Studio—

Evelyn had arranged for discreet surveillance, and just as she suspected, Laura Scott and her uncle had met in secret.

Uncle York and his sister-in-law. What a scandalous affair.

Her phone rang. The caller ID flashed Madam Victoria. Evelyn knew exactly what she wanted.

"Zoe, Henry is in trouble!" Madam Victoria's voice was sharp, demanding rather than pleading. "You must ask Mr. Goldmann to intervene. With his influence, Henry will be released immediately!"

Evelyn stood, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window. Her reflection was calm, detached. "Grandmother, is this how you ask for a favor?"

"Zoe, he's your cousin! Have you no heart?"

"I'm afraid I don't know you well enough to care," Evelyn replied coolly. "When things are fine, you scheme against me. Now that you're drowning, you expect my help? Tell me—why should I lift a finger?"

Her expression remained unreadable, her tone icy.

Madam Victoria's voice cracked. "You—you ungrateful girl!"

Evelyn smirked. "Ungrateful? No. Just realistic."

She ended the call.

The game had only just begun.