Everyone emptied their sses.


    At that moment, the television in the private room started broadcasting a news report. The host, holding a microphone, said, "Today, the authorities arrested a criminal whomitted child molestation and attempted rape. They have also captured a suspected aplice.".


    The screen showed George, his head covered with a ck bag, being escorted to a police car. Then, Lilian was shown being led away.


    The three men didn''t recognize George, but they all knew lian. They froze for a moment.


    "Mr. Crone, doesn''t that suspect look like Mrs. Crone?"


    What?


    Harry, who had been about to pour more wine, stopped mid-motion. He turned toward the television.


    Sure enough, there she was-Lilian.


    His face instantly drained of color, and he stood frozen in ce.


    The host continued, "Everyone''s asking who the biggest simp of the century is- well, I''ve got to hand it to this suspect. Despite her age, she''s actually selling her own daughter just to be a simp herself. She''s doing it with such passion and enthusiasm, and it''s honestly unbelievable!"


    Harry stared at the screen, speechless.


    The three men''s expressions darkened, and they stood up and left without another word.


    "Gentlemen, please!" Harry called out, trying to stop them


    Norma, Hughie, and Edwin nced at Harry and smiled knowingly. "Mr. Crone, your charm really is something. We could never measure up."


    Without another word, they left.


    Lilian, dubbed the biggest simp of the century, had caused quite a stir. Now, even Harry was the butt of the joke


    these men. among


    The ss in Harry''s hand shattered as he mmed it on the floor in fury.


    Just then, his phone rang, the melody soft and melodic.


    It was Jessica.


    "Dad, the press conference went horribly wrong, and Mom''s been arrested. Please, bring awyer and bail her out. Jessica''s frantic voice came through, panicked and tearful


    11


    It waste at night when Harry arrived outside the police station. He came with thewyer to bail Lilian out.


    Liliatt''s face was pale-this was her first time in a police station.


    "Honey, please let me exin-"


    But before she could finish, Harry pped her across the face.


    The force of the blow made her head snap to the side, and soon, a bright red handprint bloomed on her right cheek.


    Harry''s face was stormy with rage. "You turned me into aughingstock in front of my business partners! How am I supposed to show my face in the business world now? Lilian, this is your doing! You''vepletely embarrassed me!"


    Lilian clutched her swollen face, too stunned to reply.


    All the resentment and hurt she had felt turned into a zing fury. She hated Wendy.


    It was all Wendy''s fault!


    Standing to the side, Jessica watched coldly. She didn''t step forward to stop Harry. To her, Lilian was just a stepmother, not her real mother.


    "Dad, what do we do now?" Jessica asked, her voice cool.


    Harry looked at her, his voice serious. “I think Stanley''s feelings for Wendy are a bit different now. He is the key. You need to make sure you keep him close, right in the palm of your hand."


    Jessica smirked, lifting her chin with haughty confidence. "Dad, you think Wendy believes Stanley likes her? Well, it''s time to show her who''s boss. I''ll make sure she knows exactly where she stands."


    Even now, Jessica didn''t think Wendy was a threat.


    Yes, Wendy had won a few battles, but when it came to Stanley, she would never win.


    She was certain of that.


    If Wendy didn''t believe it, Jessica was more than willing to prove it.


    Back at the Hawk family''s estate, Wendy''s phone rang again, its soft melody echoing through the room.


    It was Jessica.


    "Wendy, are you free now? Let me take you out for coffee."