James clearly remembered not putting Hawthorne on the guest list for today's event.

So why the hell was Hans there? Had Hawthorne orchestrated this entire spectacle? Was he there to enjoy the show or to inspect his handiwork?

The realization hit James, but it was too late.

Trapped in the back of a police cruiser, he was completely powerless. They had even confiscated his phone.

"It's Hawthorne, isn't it? He framed me! Tell me it was him!"

James was losing his mind.

He knew a bit about Patti Yale getting thrown in prison.

He had even secretly laughed at how utterly stupid that woman was for trying to push Hawthorne into the ocean and messing with the Langford family back in Starfall City.

He had only used a fake wire transfer to manipulate her, and Patti had actually been reckless enough to try and murder Hawthorne for it.

She was an absolute idiot.

But karma had a funny way of working.

The boomerang had swung right back and hit him squarely in the chest.

James was spiraling into a panic, but the officers remained stone-faced all the way to the precinct.

The moment they threw him into a holding cell, James glared through the bars at the captain.

"Get my attorney on the phone immediately. I demand my lawyer."

The captain looked at him blankly.

"You'll get your lawyer, but first we need your statement. A couple of detectives will be in shortly to ask you a few questions."

But James was a cunning, seasoned veteran of corporate warfare.

He knew better than anyone that a single misplaced word right now could lock him behind bars for the rest of his life.

"Don't play those games with me. I haven't committed a single crime, and you have zero grounds to interrogate me. I want my lawyer, and I am not saying a damn word until he gets here."

The captain gave him a long, hard look before dropping two simple words.

"Suit yourself."

He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving James alone in the freezing, concrete cell.

Meanwhile, a furious Sallie and her father were rushing toward their private vehicle, desperate to escape the scene.

Hans was already waiting near her car.

Seeing him standing there made everything instantly click in Sallie's mind.

Mr. Yeager was clutching his chest, feeling faint and unwell after the explosive confrontation with the police, so Sallie immediately had her driver take him home

first.

Hans stood casually by an SUV, waiting patiently for her.

Knowing exactly who was behind this nightmare, she marched up to him, boiling with rage.

"Where is your boss? Today was supposed to be our company's triumphant IPO. I was even debating whether to to invite Hawthorne as

VIP, but clearly, he's far too busy to show his face."

FindNovel.net

She had actually mailed an invitation, but it was sent via standard post and wouldn't

arrive for another two days.

Hans looked at her, his voice perfectly smooth and unhurried.

"That's very kind of you, but Mr. Everhart is indeed quite busy these days. Gwyn is pregnant and due in a few months, and they are busy. planning their wedding for the end of the year. If you're interested, he would be thrilled to have you attend."

His polite tone only earned a sharp scoff from Sallie.

"Cut the crap. You're here waiting for me. And James's arrest—Hawthorne is behind

this, isn't he? Why the hell would he do this to us?"

Hans offered a faint smile.

"I'm not here to discuss that, mainly because I genuinely have no idea. I was just as surprised as you when James was taken away. I highly doubt my boss had anything to do with it, considering he is currently accompanying his wife to her ultrasound appointment. If your company is facing legal trouble, likely due to internal

mismanagement or past illicit dealings catching up with your husband, not because of anything we did."

Sallie glared venomously at his smooth excuses.

"Your slick lies won't work on me."

"I'm simply here to take you somewhere," Hans replied coolly.

"There are a few people I think you should meet."

Sallie stared at him, hyper-alert.

"What are you planning? Don't think you can trick me. I know all about the recent attacks on Hawthorne and Gwyn."

Everyone in Greenvale knew that Gwyn had been pushed into the ocean and kidnapped, and the news had already exposed Patti Yale as the culprit.

Even though Patti was already behind bars, Sallie wasn't about to willingly step into a trap with Hans.