Gerard's voice, icy and commanding, demanded, "Tell me who's behind all this."

"No, I just... I made a mistake about the person—" George stammered, but his words were cut short as he was suddenly forced to his knees.

“You're not willing to speak?" Gerard's icy tone loomed over George, who shivered, well aware of the methods employed by the CEO of the Harris Group.

George relented, "Yes, someone approached me."

"Who?" Gerard pressed.

"A friend of Adaline's. She paid me two hundred thousand to do this.

I don't know her name," George confessed.

Gerard gestured subtly to one of his bodyguards, who promptly escorted George out.

Laura, witnessing this, felt a nervous twitch in her eyelid. She had hoped this scandal would tarnish Lilah and separate her from Gerard.

Instead, Lilah had adeptly turned the situation in her favor.

Laura reached for her phone to warn Marlene, but a chilling gaze stopped her. She hastily put the phone away, offering Gerard a forced smile.

Fear gripped her. Could Gerard suspect her involvement?

Julie rejoined Laura, still unimpressed by Lilah. "She's so manipulative. How can she be worthy?" Julie mused.

Laura agreed silently. Regardless of the day's revelations, Lilah's relationship with Gerard was still fraught with controversy.

Happiness seemed elusive for Lilah in this arrangement.

The party began with a simple ceremony to make Jerrold a student of Kenneth. After that, the meal began.

Meanwhile, Marlene awaited Laura's message, but received none.

George instead sent a message to Marlene, claiming, "I've handled it.

Send the payment."

Marlene's eyes widened with excitement. She called George immediately.

“What's the status with Lilah?"

"She's scorned by all and forsaken by Gerard," George replied, his voice quivering with uncertainty.

Marlene was puzzled by George's tone. "Why do you sound so shaken?"

George responded, "I was frightened. Mr. Harris' demeanor was terrifying."