Chapter 41
When Darryl woke up again, he realized he was lying on the office floor, drenched in sweat. His clothes were soaked, but the burning pain that had consumed his body earlier was now gone.
"Damn it! Samson must have been tricked," Darryl thought. "It’s been two years since he gave me that pill—whatever effects it had should’ve worn off by now. How could I have been so foolish to take it? Luckily, nothing bad happened."
Just as he was feeling relieved, his cellphone rang. Seeing an unknown number on the display, Darryl furrowed his brows and answered.
"Hello, is this Darryl?" A gentle, attractive voice came through the phone, instantly familiar to him.
Darryl frowned, still trying to place the voice. "Who’s this?" he asked.
The caller introduced herself with a smile, "Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Yvonne Young."
"Yvonne?" Darryl gulped, immediately picturing an extremely graceful and seductive figure in his mind. He smiled and asked, "What can I do for you?"
Sounding a bit awkward, Yvonne replied, "It’s about Granny Samantha’s birthday dinner the other day at the Lyndon family. I know you gave her the Boundless Universe Fan. I’d like to take a few pictures of it, if that’s alright?"
Darryl was surprised and asked casually, "Oh, that fan? The Lyndon family thought it was just a broken old thing. Why are you interested in it now, Ms. Young?"
Without hesitation, Yvonne explained, "That’s because they don’t understand its value. I know the history of the fan. It’s an authentic piece, once owned by Emperor Qianlong."
Intrigued, Darryl replied, "Alright, how do you want to take the pictures?"
"You’re agreeing? That’s wonderful!" Yvonne exclaimed, clearly excited. She had expected Darryl to refuse since the fan was a one-of-a-kind, priceless treasure.
Excitedly, Yvonne continued, "If you're free, we can meet at my family's antique store later. There’s a room specifically for photographing antiques." She then provided Darryl with the store's address.
The antique store Yvonne mentioned was Pearl Pavilion, the largest antique shop in Donghai City. Darryl had heard of it but had never visited.
Half an hour later, Darryl arrived at Pearl Pavilion with the fan in hand. Upon entering the main hall, he noticed Yvonne waiting for him, dressed in a dark, elegant gown, more mysterious than the one she had worn at Granny Samantha’s birthday dinner.
"Darryl, you’re here!" Yvonne greeted him warmly, her eyes lighting up with excitement when she saw the box in his hands.
The store’s manager, Peter William, watched curiously. Yvonne, always composed and rational, was unusually excited today. And who was this ordinary-looking guy with her?
Sensing Peter’s curiosity, Yvonne briefly introduced Darryl. "This is Mr. Darby from the Lyndon family. We have some business to attend to. Please watch the store and let me know if anything comes up." With that, she led Darryl into a private room.
Peter was left stunned. Darryl Darby from the Lyndon family? Wasn’t he just a useless live-in son-in-law? What business could Yvonne possibly have with him? Still, he dismissed his curiosity and returned his focus to the store.
In the private room, Darryl placed the fan on the table. Yvonne, with a camera in hand, carefully photographed the fan while admiring its beauty.
Meanwhile, Darryl couldn’t take his eyes off Yvonne. She was truly captivating, with perfect facial features and a figure as alluring as one could imagine.
Lost in his thoughts, Darryl barely noticed when Yvonne finished the photoshoot. She smiled at him and said, "Thank you so much."
Darryl casually replied, "It’s no big deal. If you’d like to see the fan again, feel free to reach out anytime."
Yvonne, pleased by his offer, nodded happily before asking curiously, "How did you get the fan?"
She had wanted to ask this question during Granny Samantha’s birthday dinner but hadn’t had the chance. How did a live-in son-in-law, who had no job or income for three years, come to own such a priceless treasure as the Boundless Universe Fan?
Darryl chuckled and replied casually, "It was a gift from a friend."
Realizing he didn’t want to elaborate, Yvonne smiled and didn’t press the matter further.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Yvonne asked, "Yes, what is it?"
Peter, looking slightly embarrassed, replied, "Miss, could you come out? Someone is interested in buying some jade pieces, and I can’t make the decision."
Yvonne, slightly concerned, knew that Peter was a highly experienced antique appraiser, with over a decade of expertise. If he couldn’t make a decision, the jade pieces must be something unusual.
With this thought, Yvonne hurried to the door and stepped out. Darryl followed closely behind after packing up the fan.
Once they reached the main hall, they saw a young man standing by the counter, holding a small box.
Chapter 42
Leo White, a young man from Lin City, had come to sell his family treasure due to a relative suffering from cancer, needing the money for treatment. A few nearby store owners had gathered as well after hearing about the potential sale.
After Peter explained the situation, he introduced Yvonne. "This is our boss, Ms. Yvonne."
Leo nodded politely and said, "If even the boss can’t make a decision, I’ll have to try another store." With that, he opened the box.
Inside was a blood-colored jade pendant, its surface smooth and round, with intricate antique carvings. The most striking feature was the red, tear-like pattern within the jade.
Yvonne gasped, "Blood tear jade?"
The other antique store owners took deep breaths, marveling at the sight.
"Wow, it really is blood tear jade."
"Look at that color—it’s top quality."
The store owners were in awe, chatting among themselves. Leo, feeling proud, nodded at Yvonne and said, "You really are the boss. With just one glance, you recognized it as blood tear jade. Did you notice the carvings? It’s from the Eastern Jin Dynasty."
Blood tear jade, an ancient type of jade believed to have been infused with the blood of ancestors, was extremely rare. The red, tear-like patterns inside made it even more valuable.
After hearing Leo's claim, the other store owners grew emotional.
"It’s truly from the Eastern Jin Dynasty!"
"Look at the carvings—it’s authentic."
Admiring the jade, Yvonne asked, "How much are you asking for it?"
Though it was her first time seeing a blood tear jade in person, Yvonne had studied the material extensively. Confident in her judgment and further reassured by the other store owners’ reactions, she was sure the jade was genuine.
However, Darryl silently shook his head. While others were impressed, he knew better. Having grown up with a blood jade that belonged to his grandfather, Darryl could tell at first glance that Leo’s jade was a fake. The young man was bold to try and deceive the Young family.
Yvonne was still young and inexperienced, so it wasn’t surprising she couldn’t see through the scam. But for the other store owners to be fooled? They were clearly just going along with the hype. It was embarrassing.
Still, Darryl decided not to reveal the truth just yet, opting to observe the situation as it unfolded.
Leo waved his hand dismissively and said, "150 million bucks!"
Yvonne hesitated, biting her lip. Half a year earlier, a similar blood tear jade from the Eastern Jin Dynasty had sold for 150 million at auction. Leo had clearly done his homework before coming here.
However, an auction and a private trade were different.
"That’s too expensive," Yvonne said with a smile.
Leo stood firm. "That’s my price. I wouldn’t sell it if I weren’t desperate for money to pay for my family’s medical bills. This has been passed down through generations."
Yvonne began to have doubts, and the other antique store owners exchanged complicated glances. While Yvonne was still young, a blood tear jade was an exceptionally rare find. If she could purchase it, it would be a great gain for the Young family, who could easily afford the 150 million.
If not for their own financial limitations, the other store owners would have jumped at the chance to buy it themselves.
At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in traditional Chinese attire, wearing golden-framed glasses, entered the store. Peter quickly approached and greeted him. "Hello, sir. How can I help you?"
The man smiled and said, "I’m Jack. I’m here in Donghai City on a business trip, and I enjoy collecting antiques. I heard about the famous Pearl Pavilion, so I came to have a look."
He added boastfully, "I’m here to find some good pieces. Price doesn’t matter as long as I like it."
His eyes landed on the blood tear jade, and he immediately grew excited. "Oh, is this the red blood jade everyone’s been talking about?"
Leo responded proudly, "It sure is!"
Jack, unable to resist, reached for the jade, and Leo quickly warned, "Be careful! Don’t break it!"
Jack laughed. "Don’t worry! If I break it, I’ll compensate you."
He then asked, "Young man, is this jade yours? What’s the price?"
Leo held up two fingers and began to say, "Two hundred—"
Before he could finish, Jack slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Great! I’ll take it!"
Leo turned to Yvonne with a smug expression, as if saying, "See? I asked for 150 million, and you hesitated. Now there’s a wealthy man who doesn’t care about the price!"
Yvonne grew anxious and quickly said, "Mr. White, you agreed to sell it to me. We have rules in the antique business—negotiations aren’t over yet, so you can’t sell it to someone else."
Her nervousness grew, knowing that Jack was willing to buy the jade for 500 million without a second thought. She hurriedly said, "150 million—I'll take it. Mr. White, didn’t you say you were selling it to me for that amount? I’ll buy it."
Watching the situation, Darryl could only laugh inwardly. Leo and Jack were obviously partners in a scam, putting on a show.
It seemed Yvonne had fallen for their act completely. He couldn't help but wonder, "Is it really true that a beautiful woman like her lacks common sense?"
Chapter 43
Jack, clearly irritated, said, "Ms. Young, I already offered 500 million bucks for the blood tear jade. You can keep your 150 million." But Yvonne, appearing unfazed, sharply addressed Leo. "Mr. White, I will take the jade. Even though my offer is lower, you still have to sell it to me. After all, you gave your word, right?"
The other antique store owners nodded in agreement.
"Yes, first come, first served," one said.
"We must honor our principles, young man," another added.
"You’re still negotiating with Ms. Young. It’s not right to sell it to someone else," chimed in another.
The store owners all sided with Yvonne, no doubt eager to maintain good relations with the influential Young family in the antique business.
Leo sighed under the pressure and reluctantly said, "Alright. Sir, I apologize. Even though you offered 500 million, I have to sell it to Ms. Young." Turning to Yvonne, he added, "I’m not a greedy person. Since you’re willing to pay 150 million, I’ll sell it to you. A man should keep his word."
"Sigh, who knew you had such integrity?" Jack said, feigning sadness. "I offered 500 million, but you still refused. This stone is worth at least a billion, Ms. Young. You’re getting an incredible deal."
Yvonne, thrilled, quickly instructed Peter, "Hurry and arrange the payment for Mr. White."
Peter nodded and was about to ask for Leo’s bank details when suddenly, Darryl, who had been quietly observing, burst into laughter. "Hahaha! This is so funny."
Everyone looked at Darryl, stunned. Leo, frowning, asked, "What’s so funny?"
Yvonne, too, raised her eyebrows in confusion.
Darryl pointed at the jade pendant in the box and said, "Isn’t it ridiculous to watch people fight over a fake?"
With that, Darryl sent a message to Megan Castello, the leader of the Criminal Investigation Team. He had met her during a previous incident and still had her contact information. Leo and Jack's scam was too blatant for Darryl to ignore.
The entire store fell silent. Everyone stared at Darryl, shocked. Did he just call the blood tear jade a fake? Was something wrong with him? There were multiple antique store owners who had verified its authenticity, yet Darryl, the live-in son-in-law of the Lyndon family, had the audacity to call it fake.
Leo was the first to speak. "Interesting. This jade has been passed down through my family for generations, and you dare call it a fake? Who do you think you are?"
The other antique store owners began to murmur. One of them recognized Darryl. "Wait, isn’t this the live-in son-in-law of the Lyndon family?"
The revelation stirred up more gossip.
"Ah, it’s true."
"I heard this guy just lazes around all day, living off his wife’s wealth."
More laughter followed. The owner of the neighboring store, Mr. Larly, mocked Darryl, "Hey, son-in-law of the Lyndon family, you think you know more than us? You claim the blood tear jade is fake? What do *you* know about antiques?"
The crowd burst into laughter again.
"Haha! This guy is notorious for being useless in Donghai City, and now he thinks he’s an expert?"
"Maybe he’s just trying to get attention."
"Or maybe he’s here to regain some dignity, but he chose the wrong place for that. This is Pearl Pavilion. Don’t make a fool of yourself!"
Chapter 44
The antique store owners continued to laugh at Darryl, while Yvonne bit her lip, troubled. She had thoroughly researched the blood tear jade, and its material, color, and craftsmanship matched what she had learned. Why would Darryl claim it was fake?
Yvonne began to doubt her initial impression of Darryl. While she'd thought he might be different from the rumors, he seemed to be exactly what people said—useless. No wonder everyone despised him. He appeared to have no real knowledge of antiques and was simply pretending.
Meanwhile, Leo and Jack exchanged knowing smiles. They had been wary of Darryl at first, but now they realized he was just a live-in son-in-law that everyone looked down upon. Both men silently cursed their earlier apprehension.
Leo, feigning indignation, spoke up, "All the experts here, including the esteemed owner of Pearl Pavilion, have verified that this blood tear jade is genuine. They are renowned antique merchants, and you are the only one claiming it's a fake. If you can't provide a reasonable explanation, I’ll report you to the police for obstructing our business."
Darryl, unfazed by Leo's accusations, laughed again. He picked up the blood tear jade, held it in his hands, and began to explain. "The blood tear jade got its name from the fact that human blood flowed into the jade, creating tear-like markings. However, depending on factors like the jade’s material and environmental influences, it’s extremely difficult and rare for a blood tear jade to form naturally. The one you’re holding, though it has tear-like marks, didn’t form naturally. Those marks were artificially made."
He examined the jade further. "The quality of the jade is decent, and the carvings are unique, but it’s not from the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It was made recently. It still feels slightly moist, meaning it’s been buried in the ground to artificially age it."
Darryl tossed the jade back into the box and smiled. "In short, it’s a new imitation, and claiming it's from the Eastern Jin Dynasty is nonsense."
Darryl's voice was calm, but his words rang through the room, silencing everyone. The antique store owners, previously confident in their assessment, were now in doubt. Could it be that they had been wrong all along?
The truth was, none of the store owners had ever seen an authentic blood tear jade before. They had only heard of it, which made them hesitate.
Yvonne, meanwhile, was taken aback. She knew some of the details Darryl had mentioned but was surprised by how clearly he presented the facts. Where had he learned all this?
Leo, now visibly frustrated, sneered at Darryl. "You talk a good game, but do you have any proof to back up your claims?"
Everyone’s attention turned to Darryl. The antique store owners and Yvonne waited anxiously for his response.
Darryl smiled confidently. "Of course, I can prove it. In a naturally formed blood tear jade, the blood takes on a mist-like appearance after a long period. In a man-made version, the blood hasn't had enough time to dissolve, so you’ll see tiny droplets inside the tear marks. A special magnifier will reveal this."
Peter, the store manager, quickly retrieved a magnifier specifically designed for antique appraisal. He examined the jade carefully and exclaimed in surprise, "There really are tiny droplets inside!"
The other antique store owners hurried over to take a look. Even Yvonne, in her high heels, joined the group, eager to see for herself.
Leo’s face flushed red with anger, but he was at a loss for words. He could only point at Darryl in frustration, unable to respond.
Chapter 45
Just then, the sound of police sirens filled the air. Panic spread across Leo's face as he attempted to flee.
"Trying to run?" one of the store owners shouted. Several workers in the store quickly grabbed Leo and pinned him to the ground.
Jack, pretending to be a victim, cursed loudly. "Damn it, it’s really a fake! This scumbag almost made me spend 500 million bucks!" He rushed forward, spit on Leo, and started to leave, thinking he could slip away unnoticed.
But before he could exit the store, Darryl blocked his path.
"What’s your problem? Why are you blocking me?" Jack snapped, clearly agitated.
Darryl smiled and said, "You can’t just leave your partner behind, can you?"
Jack's face turned pale. "What are you talking about?"
Darryl shook his head, amused. "No need to keep pretending. Your acting is pretty convincing, but you’re not fooling anyone."
Panicked, Jack tried to push past Darryl, but Darryl’s grip was firm, and Jack couldn’t break free.
In desperation, Jack shouted, "Idiot! He was trying to scam me too! This has nothing to do with me!"
Just then, Megan entered the store with several police officers. She wasn’t in uniform but still looked authoritative, her tight jeans highlighting her athletic build.
"Is he involved too?" Megan asked Darryl, referring to Jack.
Before Darryl could answer, Jack pleaded, "Officer, please help me! I’m just an innocent buyer. This man refuses to let me go for no reason."
Several antique store owners backed up Jack’s claim. "Yes, Mr. Trevor came here to buy antiques. We’re witnesses!"
"Hey, Darryl," one of them added, "you might’ve been lucky to identify the fake jade, but you can't just accuse anyone like this."
Darryl laughed silently at their naivety. It was clear that Jack and Leo were in this scam together, yet the store owners still couldn’t see it.
Even Megan seemed to believe Jack and the others. She frowned and said, "Darryl, you can't accuse him without proof. Let him go."
Jack grinned smugly at Darryl. "Did you hear that? I have important business to attend to tomorrow. Are you going to take responsibility if I miss my meetings?"
Darryl sighed in frustration. If he let Jack leave, the man would surely find a way to get Leo out too, and they would continue their fraud elsewhere.
Just as Darryl was about to release his grip, something about Jack’s face seemed off.
In a flash, Darryl reached out and tore something from Jack’s face—it was a mask!
Gasps filled the room. Jack’s true face was now visible, and it was nothing like the honest expression he had worn before.
Megan immediately recognized him. "It’s you!" she exclaimed. Jack was a wanted suspect in an antique fraud case from the previous year.
"Hurry!" Megan shouted to her officers. "Check Leo’s face for a mask too!"
Chapter 46
A few police officers quickly ran over to check, and without much surprise, they ripped a mask off Leo's face as well.
A year ago, a wealthy merchant who came to Donghai City for investment had been swindled out of an antique painting valued at one billion bucks by two partners. The head office of the police department put immense focus on this case, instructing Megan to solve it as quickly as possible. However, the duo was smart, and despite Megan tracking the case for a year, she failed to find any leads. She never expected that she would catch them today.
Megan trembled slightly, realizing she had just made a significant breakthrough!
The other antique store owners, who had initially wanted to testify for Jack, were left speechless. They were well aware of the fraud case that had happened a year ago. None of them had ever imagined that these two were the masterminds behind it, let alone that they had the audacity to cheat the powerful Young family.
At the same time, they curiously glanced at Darryl. The masks Leo and Jack wore were so realistic that no one had seen through them. How had Darryl figured it out?
They didn't ask further, especially with Megan present.
At that moment, Megan instructed her officers to bring the two into the car, and then she walked up to Darryl.
Biting her lip and looking awkward, she said, "Darryl, I'm sorry. I was too impulsive earlier. I almost missed the chance to crack this case. Thank you so much for your help."
Darryl smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "It was nothing. I just didn’t want to let the bad guys get away."
Megan nodded, still curious. "How did you know Jack was wearing a mask?"
Darryl thought for a moment before casually replying, "It wasn’t anything special. When he was struggling earlier, a tiny piece of the mask lifted, and I noticed it."
In truth, Darryl was puzzled by her question as well. Jack’s disguise had been flawless. The only imperfection was where the mask met his neck, a detail that would be unnoticeable to most people. Darryl couldn't understand why he had seen it so clearly. Since when had his vision become so sharp?
Megan didn't doubt him, though. She smiled and said, "No matter what, I really appreciate your help. I owe you dinner sometime."
After that, Megan left.
During the ride back to the police station, Leo and Jack, who were seated in the backseat, fumed with anger and frustration. They had spent a lot of time planning their fraud scheme, and they had thought it was foolproof. But they hadn’t expected Darryl to ruin their plan at the most critical moment.
Jack turned to Leo in anger. "That guy is Darryl Darby, right?"
Leo nodded. "That's what the other antique store owners said. He’s apparently the live-in son-in-law of the Lyndon family."
Jack gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "Damn it! When we get out of here one day, we’ll kill him!"
Back at the Pearl Pavilion, after everyone had left, Yvonne walked over in her high heels and asked, "Darryl, how did you know the two of them were frauds?"
Darryl grinned and casually replied, "It wasn’t a big deal. I’ve read a lot of detective novels. And honestly, their acting was pretty bad."
Yvonne laughed at his relaxed tone, but then her curiosity deepened. "That knowledge you shared earlier about the blood tear jade, where did you learn it from?"
Darryl froze for a moment. That was a tough question. After a brief pause, he said, "I learned about antiques from an old master, so..."
He shrugged as if to say it was nothing significant.
In reality, identifying the authenticity of the blood tear jade was a simple task for him. But Yvonne suddenly became emotional and nervous. "What is the name of this old master? Where does he live?"
Yvonne had been unable to tell if the blood tear jade was genuine, but Darryl had identified it so easily and had shared knowledge she had never known before. The master who had taught him must be even more knowledgeable, and she was determined to meet him no matter what.
However, Darryl’s next response left her disappointed.
He replied apologetically, "I haven’t seen him in years. I don’t know where he is anymore."
Hearing that, Yvonne sighed. She didn’t press the matter further. Instead, with a complicated expression, she looked at Darryl and gently asked, "Darryl, can you promise me something?"
"What is it?" Darryl asked, intrigued.
Yvonne spoke softly, "I’d like to invite you to be the Pearl Pavilion’s official antique appraiser. You don’t need to come in every day, just when we need your help. The monthly salary would be fifty thousand bucks. Is that alright with you?"
Chapter 47
To be honest, Yvonne was worried that offering 50 thousand bucks might be a bit too low. However, that was the limit of her authority.
At that moment, Peter, one of the staff in charge, sighed deeply.
What? An esteemed antique appraiser deserving a monthly salary of 50 thousand bucks? His own salary was only slightly over 10 thousand a month! Although he was a bit envious of Darryl, Peter had to admit that Darryl's knowledge and skills, particularly in appraising the blood tear jade, surpassed his own. This realization stopped him from feeling too dissatisfied.
After a brief pause, Darryl nodded and said, "Oh... since I don’t need to be here every day, that should be fine."
Despite it being a generous offer, Darryl acted as if it were difficult to accept.
Peter, watching Darryl’s reaction, was left speechless. Had Darryl gone crazy after becoming the live-in son-in-law?
Yvonne, however, was thrilled. "That's great! It's finalized then."
Darryl smiled, bidding farewell to Yvonne, as it was getting late.
---
The next afternoon, when Darryl arrived at his office, his assistant Pearl quickly approached him to provide an update.
"President, today is the airing of the latest episode of *Superstar*. It's also Giselle’s debut on the show. Would you like to attend and show your support?"
Darryl shook his head. "I’ll pass. Set up a re-broadcast in my office later, and I’ll watch it from here."
Giselle’s transformation had been orchestrated by the Lyndon family, and his wife Lily was directly involved. Darryl knew that if he attended the live event, there was a risk his identity could be exposed.
"Yes, President," Pearl nodded and made the arrangements.
---
An hour later, the show was broadcast live on the screen in Darryl’s office. Without a doubt, Giselle had star potential. With Lily's expert makeover, she appeared vibrant and stunning, and the audience roared with excitement when she took the stage.
However, midway through the recording, something went wrong. At the request of her fans, Giselle began singing a song, but her earpiece malfunctioned. Although she started strong, the technical issue caused her to fall behind the beat.
Frustrated, Giselle eventually stormed off stage, and soon the incident was all over the media. Speculations swirled. Some people accused her of lip-syncing, while others thought she had staged the incident to stir up publicity. Doubts about Giselle’s singing ability spread rapidly.
Watching the news, Darryl slammed the door in frustration and called for Pearl.
"Investigate this thoroughly. I want to know exactly what happened," Darryl ordered coldly.
Pearl nodded and made several phone calls. It wasn’t long before she returned with the details.
"President Darby, there were three staff members responsible for handling Giselle's earpiece backstage. All of them have denied responsibility for the malfunction."
Darryl smiled lightly.
"It must have something to do with those three," he said calmly. "Bring all of them here."
"Yes, President!" Pearl, intrigued by Darryl's confidence, left without asking further questions.
As soon as she exited, Darryl made another call.
"Felix, come over to Platinum Corporation. Now," he instructed.
Ten minutes later, the three staff members were brought into Darryl's office, all looking calm. Sitting behind the desk was Felix Blakely, dressed sharply in a suit.
Darryl had many ways of getting the truth out of them, but he didn’t want to bother with it himself, and he certainly didn’t want too many people knowing about his true identity. That’s why he had called Felix in to handle the situation.
Felix stared at the three staff members and asked coldly, "During the program, Giselle’s earpiece malfunctioned. What really happened?"
Meanwhile, Darryl sat to the side, casually smoking a cigarette, not reacting to the questioning.
The three staff members exchanged glances and silently agreed not to say anything. Shaking their heads in unison, they claimed they didn’t know what had happened, assuming Darryl was merely Felix’s bodyguard.
Felix let out a small laugh. "Do you know who I am?" he asked, his voice dripping with authority. "I am Felix Blakely."
Their faces turned pale at his words.
"What? Felix Blakely?" they stammered, finally realizing they were in deep trouble.
Chapter 48
Felix Blakely?
Upon hearing his name, the three staff members began to shiver, with one even trembling noticeably. Felix was notorious across Donghai City, known for his connections to both the good and the dark side of society.
Why was he there? And what was his relationship with Platinum Corporation?
Felix’s voice turned cold, "It's fine if the three of you refuse to talk. But let me be clear, if my investigation reveals that you had anything to do with this, you can imagine the consequences."
As soon as Felix finished his sentence, the man standing furthest to the left couldn't handle the pressure any longer and blurted out, "I'll tell... I'll tell everything!"
The other two exchanged nervous glances before nodding in agreement, realizing there was no escape.
Darryl, still seated on the couch, smiled to himself.
After a few minutes, Felix dismissed the three of them and turned to Darryl. "Mr. Darby, it's all clear now."
Darryl laughed as he stood up, patting Felix on the shoulder. "You're doing great, Felix. In just two years, your business is booming, and you're more famous than ever."
Felix humbly replied, "Mr. Darby, don’t mention it. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you."
After a brief chat, Felix bid farewell and left Darryl’s office.
---
As soon as Felix left, Darryl’s phone rang. It was Samantha, his mother-in-law.
"Where have you been, you useless man? Something serious has happened at home, and you're still loitering outside? Get back here now!"
Hearing Samantha’s harsh tone, Darryl didn’t argue. He knew it had to be about the incident with Giselle, and that Lily was likely in trouble since she was responsible for Giselle's makeover. Still, Samantha would never call him directly unless something major had happened. The fact that she did meant the family’s old grandma was furious and had demanded everyone gather at the Lyndon family residence.
Whatever it was, it was serious.
Darryl hung up the phone and quickly headed back to the Lyndon residence.
On the way, he called Giselle.
Giselle, feeling upset in her apartment, answered the call politely, "Brother Darryl, I’m sorry. I didn’t know things would turn out this way."
She was worried that her career was at risk because of the mishap on the show, and that Darryl was calling to scold her.
Darryl sighed. "It wasn’t your fault. I’ve investigated the matter, and it turns out that there’s an internal issue within the Lyndon family."
Giselle gasped. "What happened?"
Darryl smiled and said, "Follow my instructions carefully and everything will be fine."
After hearing Darryl's plan, Giselle nodded, "I understand, brother Darryl."
---
When Darryl arrived at the Lyndon residence, the family’s old grandma had already called an emergency meeting. The atmosphere was tense, with anger and dissatisfaction written on everyone's faces.
The Lyndon family was concerned that Platinum Corporation would hold them accountable for Giselle’s mistake on the show, and all eyes were on Lily.
Lily, wearing a knee-length dress and stilettos, looked stunning as always, but her expression was grim. Everyone was staring at her, knowing she was in charge of Giselle’s makeover.
When Darryl entered the room, no one paid him any attention.
Did the "useless" son-in-law come just to watch the drama unfold?
At that moment, William stood up and pointed at Lily. "Lily, it wasn’t easy for our family to establish a working relationship with Platinum Corporation. This mistake was your responsibility. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Lily bit her lip, glancing nervously at her grandmother. "Grandma, I’ll leave it to you to decide what to do."
Before the old grandma could speak, William laughed mockingly. "Lily, are you trying to seek pity from grandma? Even if you’re punished, that won't fix things."
He turned to the old grandma and said, "Grandma, I suggest we remove Lily from her position in the company. We can’t afford to risk upsetting Platinum Corporation because of her incompetence."
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.
Grandma Lyndon looked at Lily for a long moment and then said, "Fine. Lily, starting tomorrow, you won’t need to come to the office anymore."
Lily, deeply upset, wanted to defend herself but didn’t know what to say.
Suddenly, Darryl, who had been sitting silently beside Lily, spoke up, his voice steady and calm, "I object."
The tense silence in the room was suddenly broken by bursts of laughter from several of the younger members of the family.
What nerve! Did this "useless" son-in-law think he had the right to speak in a situation like this? Was he out of his mind?
Chapter 49
He objected?
Every member of the Lyndon family turned to Darryl, filled with disbelief and scorn. They thought he was utterly shameless.
Old grandma's face darkened as she asked in a cold tone, "What did you just say?"
Darryl, with a calm laugh, replied, "You're blaming my wife, Lily, for the incident on Giselle's show without even investigating the situation thoroughly. You dismissed her from her position without understanding what really happened. Isn’t that a bit rash?"
Grandma's expression grew even more severe. "Are you implying that I wrongly accused Lily?"
Darryl was about to respond confidently, but before he could, William couldn’t hold back his frustration any longer. He slammed the table, pointing at Darryl and shouting, "Who do you think you are? This is a Lyndon family meeting! Since when do you have the right to speak? What gives you the authority to challenge grandma’s decision?"
Darryl shot William a cold look. "I'm only asking for a thorough investigation before making any conclusions. Why are you getting so worked up?"
"Shut up!" William's temper flared, and he was on the verge of fighting Darryl. But remembering how Darryl had humiliated him during grandma's birthday dinner, he restrained himself, though his anger was still palpable.
Darryl glanced around the room, then fixed his gaze on William. "During the show, Giselle’s earpiece malfunctioned. I believe it was a setup, and the person responsible knows who they are."
His words were loaded with implication, but no one seemed to believe him.
William, now furious, retorted, "Why are you looking at me when you say that? Don’t make baseless accusations!"
Raising his voice slightly, Darryl replied, "I didn’t say it was you. Why are you getting so defensive?"
At this point, grandma had had enough. Her voice was sharp as she scolded, "Darryl, if you continue spouting nonsense, get out!" She didn’t even bother to look at him as she spoke.
When it came to the incident with Giselle, grandma was more inclined to believe that it was Lily’s fault than to suspect her favorite grandson, William. Ever since the family’s birthday dinner, where she had made it clear that if Lily continued to stand by Darryl, she should no longer call her "grandma," her feelings towards Darryl had only soured further.
The rest of the family was secretly pleased to see grandma turning her anger towards Darryl.
Even Wentworth, who had remained quiet so far, rubbed his forehead in exasperation and said, "Darryl, sit down. Stop making a fool of yourself!"
Lily, visibly nervous, whispered, "Please, stop saying such things."
Samantha, though silent, wore a look of disdain. She clearly thought Darryl was making things worse.
Despite the hostile stares directed at him, Darryl remained calm.
Grandma then said decisively, "Enough. Lily will no longer be involved in the company’s affairs. This meeting is over."
As everyone prepared to leave, a sultry voice interrupted the tension from the doorway. "Hold on!"
All eyes turned to see a stunning woman walking into the room—it was none other than Giselle.
Dressed in a simple, form-fitting top and a short black skirt, she looked even more captivating than usual. The room fell silent in awe of her presence. Everyone was taken aback by her arrival, though they quickly assumed she was there to blame someone for the mishap at the show.
The men in the room couldn't help but stare, mesmerized by Giselle’s beauty. It was no wonder she was the ambassador for Platinum Corporation—her flawless figure and striking looks captivated everyone.
Grandma, visibly surprised, greeted her with respect, "Miss Lindt, please, take a seat!"
As a rising star under Platinum Corporation, Giselle had a bright future in the entertainment industry. Grandma dared not treat her lightly.
Lily, on the other hand, was anxious. She wanted to apologize for the mishap but couldn’t find the words.
However, Giselle didn’t sit down. Instead, she walked directly to where grandma sat. Darryl, observing from the side, knew Giselle wouldn’t take a seat, as it wasn’t her style.
Grandma quickly continued, "Miss Lindt, I assume you're here regarding the show. I apologize on behalf of the Lyndon family. We will take full responsibility for the incident. Rest assured, I will investigate the matter thoroughly. As you can see, I’ve already removed Lily from her position to prevent this from happening again."
Lily, who stood silently nearby, shivered at grandma’s harsh words. It seemed there was no hope left for her.
Giselle, maintaining her composure, spoke, "I’ve already conducted my own investigation."
She paused for a moment before smiling kindly at Lily. "Ms. Lyndon, there’s no need to worry. You’re not responsible for what happened."
What?
Lily wasn’t responsible?
Chapter 50
Is it true that it was someone else's fault?
Everyone was stunned.
Grandma was shocked and asked, "What happened, Miss Lindt?"
Giselle didn’t respond. She only smiled softly and turned to look at William.
When Giselle mentioned she would investigate, William thought he might get lucky. But when she looked at him, he realized he was in trouble.
Giselle then spoke toward the door, "Bring the three of you in!"
Immediately, three backstage staff members entered, their heads lowered.
Upon seeing them, William's head began to spin. Though stunned, he still tried to act calm.
Giselle addressed the trio, "Tell the truth!"
One of them glanced up, scanning the room until his eyes landed on William. "It was him. Mr. William Lyndon instructed us to do it."
Another chimed in, swallowing nervously, "Yes, he paid us to sabotage Miss Lindt's earpiece. He promised more money once the job was done."
The third person didn't speak but nodded, glaring at William.
What?
It was William?
Everyone was in shock at the revelation from the staff members, and William appeared just as confused.
His face turned red as he cursed under his breath, but seeing Giselle’s expression, he swallowed his words.
William, known for his rude behavior, tried to restrain himself in Giselle’s presence, as she represented Platinum Corporation.
"You three idiots, don’t accuse me falsely! Do you even know who I am? Have you thought about the consequences?" William glared at them, barely containing his anger.
His expression was menacing.
At that moment, the grandma of the Lyndon family stepped forward, saying, "This is serious. You three better be sure. Did he really instruct you to do this?"
Even though Giselle pointed it out, Grandma couldn’t believe William would be responsible.
Faced with William's hostile look and pressure from the Lyndon matriarch, the three backstage workers exchanged worried glances.
Telling the truth would anger William, but angering Felix Blakely would be worse! Who would dare challenge Felix?
"I have proof!"
One of them spoke up, and the other two pulled out their phones simultaneously.
"I have the money transfer from Mr. Lyndon saved on my phone."
"Me too. I haven’t spent a cent of it!"
Wow!
With undeniable evidence, the room erupted into chaos.
Grandma’s face turned green with rage, her body trembling. She pointed at William and demanded, "William… you… why would you do this?"
William's mouth hung open, but no words came out.
His fierce, defiant demeanor disappeared as he collapsed, deflated, to the floor.
Lily, who had been troubled throughout, finally exhaled in relief.
"Miss Lindt, this is the result of my poor upbringing. How do you wish to handle this?" Grandma asked, nearly fainting from fury as she glanced regretfully at Giselle.
Even now, Grandma was still trying to defend William, her favorite, despite his grave mistake.
Giselle remained calm, showing no mercy. "The situation is clear. Regardless of the circumstances, your Lyndon family caused this. You have the right to decide what happens next, but don't disappoint me."
Grandma nodded in shame, then turned and glared at William. "You’ve truly disappointed me. I always held you in high regard. From now on, you’re not allowed to be involved in any company matters. You’re grounded for six months. Stay at home."
William cried and pleaded, "Grandma, please… I was wrong."
Grandma ignored him and turned to Giselle, smiling. "Miss Lindt, is this outcome satisfactory?"
Giselle didn’t respond but instead looked toward Darryl.
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