"Mom, I just saw Lucas pick up Yvette. I think she's going to see Dad. Do you know why?" Winona asked, though the fact that Lucas picked up Yvette wasn't usually a big deal, she felt uneasy.
When Nellie heard Winona mention Lucas picking up Yvette, her expression changed. Since the piano competition a few days ago, she'd learned from Zeke that Yvette had inexplicably taken a leave of absence from university.
Zachary had been preoccupied with a foreign bidding project for days and hadn't been home, so Nellie didn't know why Lucas had picked up Yvette either.
"Winona, don't worry. I'll find out what your father wants with Yvette. Focus on your apprenticeship ceremony in two days. Don't let anything distract you. I'll handle this. Yvette won't get in your way. I already have a plan. Don't worry. By Sunday, she'll be a laughingstock among Seacrity's wealthy families," Nellie confidently assured Winona over the phone.
Reassured, Winona felt much more at ease. Nellie had been treating her like a precious jewel lately, pampering her far more than she ever had Zeke. Winona had been more comfortable in the past few days than in the previous two decades.
After hanging up, Winona stood in a corner, a satisfied smile on her face, staring at her phone. Her mother was plotting against Yvette; it had nothing to do with her.
At the hotel, after ending the call, Nellie stood lost in thought, her expression vicious. Blake, growing impatient, pulled her into bed. They made love.
Afterwards, Blake reached for a cigarette. Nellie slipped from his embrace, took the cigarette, and smoked a few puffs. Glancing at the still-panting Blake, she thought, "He's definitely getting old and less capable than that younger man I was with recently." If not for his influence and usefulness, she would have dumped him long ago. She handed the cigarette back, concealing her thoughts, and he smoked without complaint.
"Is the task done? Don't mess up again. Keep your men alert, or you know what happens," Nellie said.
Blake knew he'd messed up investigating Yvette, but it wasn't entirely his fault; she was too mysterious. He'd uncovered everything possible, but Nellie insisted it wasn't enough. He could only continue digging.
Exhaling smoke, Blake glanced at Nellie, recalling her Sunday plan. "A woman's heart is the most vicious thing; I can't compare," he thought. "Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong this time. They arrive tomorrow. I'll settle them and wait for your call on Sunday. Then, I'll send them over."
Nellie's expression softened. "Good. Be ready. On Sunday, I want Yvette utterly ruined."
Blake smiled. If Nellie wanted someone gone, he'd provide the knife; he couldn't live without her. They cuddled before Nellie dressed and left for Chambers Group.
At Chambers Group, Lucas led Yvette to the private elevator to the top floor, exclusively for Zachary. Receptionists and employees buzzed with excitement; it was the first time a woman other than Nellie had used it. Speculation ran rampant, with one employee suggesting Yvette might be Zachary's recently discovered daughter, a claim that shocked many given the rumored dislike between the Chambers family and Yvette.
Rumors, however, proved unreliable. In years past, employees had seen Nellie only a few times, and never other Chambers family members except Zachary's children in entertainment news. They knew only about Winona's upcoming apprenticeship ceremony. Yet, this newly discovered daughter had access to Chambers Group, personally escorted by the chairman's butler. Ordinary employees found it unremarkable, but senior employees saw it as significant.
Inside the chairman's office, Zachary, his refined face weary, frowned deeply. He'd stared at a document for two hours before finally signing it.
Knock knock!
"Mr. Chambers, I've brought Ms. Zeller," Lucas announced.
Zachary stood, excited. He'd expected Lucas to have more difficulty bringing Yvette, but she'd arrived sooner than anticipated. Nervously straightening his suit, he said, "Come in." Even trying to sound calm, Yvette could hear the excitement in his voice.
Lucas opened the door, gesturing for Yvette to enter. With hands in her pockets, she walked in leisurely. Zachary saw her beautiful profile, her long, curled eyelashes, and was struck by her resemblance to Lilian. He greeted her warmly, "Yvette, you're here."
Yvette nodded, casually seating herself and crossing her legs. Glancing at Zachary, who stood smiling by the window, she said indifferently, "What's up?"
Zachary considered this, then approached with the signed document. Observant Lucas poured coffee and stepped aside.
Zachary sat opposite Yvette and handed her the document, his eyes fixed on her. "Take a look. If there are no issues, I'll have the lawyer process it."
Yvette glanced at the will, slightly taken aback, but tossed it back onto the table.
Zachary mused, "This is my will. Why is she treating it like trash?" He was losing his mind. "What's the meaning of this?" He hadn't expected her disinterest. Even if she wasn't living poorly, Chambers Group was a considerable asset. Wasn't she tempted at all? he wondered.
Yvette popped a vanilla toffee into her mouth, savoring it. "Are you dying? Why make a will now?"