​​One of the family’s bodyguards had informed them about Lyvana being attacked. A second later, the door flew open and Julian walked back in. His face was grim.

​"He’s gone," he announced.

​Everyone turned toward him.

​"What do you mean?" the Chairman asked. "How could he escape?"

​"Marcus checked the security footage," Julian explained, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "He managed to slip out through a window and went straight through the restricted service corridor of the ground floor."

​"How could he have known about that?" the Chairman demanded, his eyes narrowing. "That passage isn’t known by anyone outside this family."

​"He had help from the inside." Julian turned his gaze directly to Eleanor, his expression darkening. "Chloe told him about it. She’s the one who let him onto the premises."

​Eleanor went pale instantly, her breath catching in her throat. Chloe is her most trusted maid. "No. That’s impossible. Why would she do that?"

​"We don’t know her motive yet," Julian said, his voice grim. "The security team is still interrogating her. The guards searched the room and found the syringe Andrew dropped."

​"What was in it?" Damon asked.

​"We won’t know for sure until the medical team runs a toxicology report on the liquid inside. But we’re going to find out."

"How exactly was he planning to carry her out of here unnoticed," Lady Glowen asked shaking her head.

"We don’t know yet," Julian replied. "But with the house this crowded for the event, he must have had a calculated plan to slip away unnoticed."

"I think we should postpone the ceremony and inform the guests to leave," Lady Glowen said with concern.

"No," Lyvana said looking around the room. "Andrew is not going to ruin my day."

"Are you absolutely sure, sweetheart?" Julian asked. "No one would blame you if we postpone this." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

​"I am sure," Lyvana said, forcing a small smile. "I just need a few minutes to clean up, change, and let the ice do its work."

​"Then that settles it," the Chairman said, his tone turning into one of absolute authority. He turned his sharp gaze to Julian. "We need to call the commissioner. I want the whole country looking for Andrew right now."

​"I already handled that this morning," Julian said. "I also just told Lily to alert the local police. He couldn’t have gone far."

Slowly, the heavy tension began to dissolve, and the Grant mansion shifted back into celebration mode, rushing to prepare for the engagement of the century.

​Across town in the Vaughn mansion, however, the atmosphere was entirely different. Mark was already shifting into damage control mode over the Catalina case.

He met with the detective on the case, in his private study. He sat behind his desk as if it were just another normal business meeting. Two of his lawyers sat on the sofa.

Across from him, the detective sat calmly. He looked at Mark for a moment before speaking.

"Tell me what you know, Mr. Vaughn."

"My client has nothing to say, Detective," one of the lawyers responded. "He hasn’t been charged with a crime, and this interview is purely voluntary."

​Vance didn’t even glance at the attorney. His eyes remained locked on Mark.

​"Can you account for your time, leading up to the warehouse incident?"

​"I have a demanding schedule," Mark said. "I met with dozens of people that week. Standard corporate consulting. Nothing out of the ordinary."

​

Vance didn’t blink. "I’m asking specifically about Ms. Catalina."

​Mark offered a slow, tight nod, as if finally recalling a minor line item on a budget sheet.

"She’s a contract freelancer. People come and go across various projects, Detective. I don’t keep track of their personal lives unless it affects my bottom line."

​"My client’s professional associations are entirely legal," the lawyer interjected smoothly. "Meeting a contractor is not evidence of a conspiracy."

​Vance raised a single hand, cutting the lawyer off without breaking eye contact with Mark.

​"Did you meet with her immediately prior to the warehouse incident?" he asked again.

"I don’t remember the exact time of every meeting," Mark said calmly. "If meeting someone once is enough to make a person a criminal, then half the businessmen in this city would be under arrest."

​Vance leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk.

"That wasn’t a denial, Mr. Vaughn."

​Mark met his stare, his expression a polite blank wall.

​"Catalina was picked up on site," Vance said softly. "We have her in custody, and she’s already confessed. We know you met with her the day before the incident."

​The lawyer shifted aggressively in his chair, cutting in before Mark could answer. "This interview is over, Detective. If you have a warrant, produce it. Otherwise, get out of my client’s office."

Vance ignored the lawyer completely. His eyes stayed on Mark as he rose to his feet and buttoned his jacket.

Then he pulled a business card from his pocket and slid it across the desk.

"We’re building a case, Mr. Vaughn," he said calmly. "You can talk now, or you can wait for Catalina to talk for you."

Mark didn’t react.

Vance gave a faint smile. "One more thing. Don’t leave the city."

Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked out.

The lawyers quickly grabbed their briefcases and followed after him.

Silence filled the room.

Mark sat there for a moment, unmoving, his eyes fixed on the business card lying on the desk.

Then he loosened his tie and went downstairs. The moment he entered the living room, two pairs of anxious eyes locked onto him.

Susan rose immediately.

"Well?" she demanded. "How did it go?"

Mark poured himself a drink before answering.

"Fine."

"That’s it?" Maya asked. "Fine?"

He took a slow sip, then looked at them calmly.

"He has nothing on me."

Susan exhaled sharply, relief flashing across her face. "Thank God."

"But," Mark added, setting the glass down, "he’s not letting this go."

Maya folded her arms. "Did you say anything suspicious?"

Mark shot her a cold look. "Do I look stupid?"