Chapter 546
A figure stood on the eighteenth-floor balcony. Victoria Ashford finally let out a breath, her lips curling into a smile.
Beneath that smile lay years of paranoia, madness, and hatred.
She despised Penelope Ashford more than anyone.
Why should Penelope enjoy all the privileges of being Reginald Ashford's daughter alone? Victoria could have had the same lavish life.
She knew she was powerless against Evelyn Sinclair. But Penelope? That was a different story.
If Penelope died, Victoria would be the sole heiress of the Ashford family.
Evelyn was playing poker with Isabella Montgomery, Natalie Beaumont, and another friend when she received the news of Penelope's murder.
Bennett called to inform her—Victoria Ashford had been arrested.
Evelyn's emotions tangled.
She pitied Victoria. But she also despised her.
The news killed her mood for games. She left immediately.
She called Bennett, instructing him to ease the pressure on the Ashford family.
Her anger had been spent. It was time to leave them some breathing room.
When she asked Dominic Kingsley about the European situation, he stammered, claiming ignorance. "Nathan Blackwood is handling it," he said.
Curious, she considered calling Nathan but dialed Emily Whitaker instead.
Despite his busy schedule, Nathan hadn't neglected the matter.
After piecing together the details, Evelyn grasped Pacifica Tech's recent predicament.
She couldn't help but admire Nathan's skill.
The driverless car incident had been suppressed. Gerard Lichman's international lawsuit was quietly buried, replaced by a covert investigation into the truth.
Over the past week, news of Pacifica Tech's brake system failures spread like wildfire across continents.
Car owners banded together, preparing legal action.
But Pacifica Tech had powerful backers—investors with political and business influence worldwide. Their connections made them formidable.
In the past, Pacifica Tech had handled accidents clumsily. Their arrogance angered car owners, dragging the issue into the public eye.
A corporate lawsuit could stay hidden. But public outrage? That was impossible to contain.
Pacifica Tech supplied parts for multiple luxury brands. Their braking system, marketed as the world's safest, had now shattered global trust. Sales plummeted.
Yet Pacifica Tech refused to admit fault. Instead of introspection, they doubled down—suing the car owners.
Evelyn scoffed at their baffling moves. Someone was clearly pulling strings.
If it was Nathan, then she had no doubt—he was playing a long game, leading Pacifica Tech straight into his trap.
As Evelyn left work, she spotted an unexpected visitor in the lobby.
"Mr. Sinclair?"
Preston Sinclair smiled, his gentle eyes and humble demeanor impossible to ignore.
He held a small navy-blue gift box. When Evelyn approached, he handed it to her.
"Oliver asked me to deliver this. Please accept it."
Evelyn froze, then quickly took the box.
"Where is Oliver?"
The boy usually insisted on delivering gifts himself, adorable in his solemnity.
Preston cleared his throat. "He's in class. No time to come today."
Evelyn laughed, secretly wondering if the box held chrysanthemums again.
"Open it," Preston urged.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. When she lifted the lid, her lips twitched.
"Wow... another exquisite chrysanthemum."