Winona glanced at her phone, greeted Richard, and asked Victor and the others to proceed. She then moved to a corner to answer the call.

"Hello," she said.

A stranger's voice responded, "Ms. Chambers, I've administered the sleeping pills to Lucas as instructed. He merely felt unwell and suspected nothing. He's asleep now. As you requested, he asked me to collect Ms. Zeller, and I'm leaving now. I'll take her to the hotel."

He paused. "Ms. Chambers, you know how strict Lucas is with the staff. If he discovers this, I'm finished. So, I expect the $150,000 as promised. I've already booked my return flight."

Winona, though inwardly disgusted—she typically found such household staff repulsive—patiently reassured Fabian, fearing his mistakes would expose them to Yvette.

"Don't worry, Fabian. As long as you deliver her today, the $150,000 will be transferred. You can return to your family with that money," she offered, then added a threat, "But don't get ahead of yourself. If you fail, you know the consequences. Crushing you would be as easy as stepping on an ant."

Fabian, startled by Winona's harsh tone—a far cry from her usual gentle demeanor—was also perplexed by her instructions to take Yvette to a hotel instead of the Chambers residence. He'd hesitated considerably before agreeing to her midnight request, ultimately swayed by the lure of the money. It was, after all, simply taking Yvette to a hotel in broad daylight; Winona wouldn't do anything untoward.

Winona hung up, a sinister smile playing on her lips. She swiftly deleted the number and transaction details, leaving no incriminating evidence.

Yvette emerged from Argrol University, clad simply in athletic wear and worn canvas shoes, her black backpack slung over her shoulder. Her appearance belied her identity as the eldest daughter of the Chambers family, one of Seacrity's four great families.

Fabian, waiting by the car, immediately spotted Yvette, whose beauty and charisma far surpassed Winona's. The housekeepers, having previously considered Winona beautiful, now understood there were always those who were more striking.

He approached, bowing slightly. "Miss, I'm Fabian Evans, Lucas's assistant. Mr. Chambers is unwell, so I'm here to collect you. Please, get in the car."

Yvette nodded and entered the back seat. She accessed her phone, revealing a recent message from Jeremiah: "[Aren't you planning to invite me tomorrow?]" followed by a smiley emoji.

An almost imperceptible smile touched her lips, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. She chose not to reply, pocketing her phone. Leaning against the window, she gazed out as sunlight streamed in, a picture of serene leisure.

Casually, she glanced at Fabian driving. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Fabian, nearly losing control of the car, panicked. He'd been glancing at her repeatedly, believing undetected, but she'd observed his every move. Remembering Winona's warning, he stammered, "Ms. Zeller, I'm sorry. I wasn't… I just…" His nervousness rendered him incoherent; cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Yvette's cool gaze sharpened. Fabian wiped his sweat; her intensity was almost unbearable. His heavy breathing betrayed his anxiety, a change Yvette immediately sensed.

"This isn't the way to the Chambers residence, is it?" she observed.

Though momentarily unsettled, Fabian, recalling Winona's instructions, responded smoothly, "Ms. Zeller, it's Mr. Griffin's welcome party. The family is at the Exoir Hotel, and Mr. Chambers instructed me to take you there."

His seemingly flawless explanation was riddled with holes. Yvette, after a brief, amused glance, looked down, silent.

Assuming he'd fooled her, Fabian relaxed, anticipating his escape with the money.

Zachary rushed to Room 203 of the Exoir Hotel after work, unwilling to overlook Richard's reputation. Richard's initial displeasure at Zachary's lateness—explained away by Nellie's sincere apologies and Winona's supporting explanations—dissolved upon Zachary's arrival. Richard, mindful of Zachary's status as his apprentice's father, forgave the delay.

The dinner conversation flowed easily; Zachary's business acumen ensured a convivial atmosphere, quickly forging a rapport with Richard.

Suddenly, Richard paused, glancing at Winona's quiet disinterest before sighing to Zachary.

Zachary, perplexed, inquired, "Mr. Griffin, is something troubling you? Please, let me know if I can help."

Richard, having learned from Nellie and others of Yvette's recent disruptive behavior—her perceived crudeness and bullying of Winona—felt compelled to intervene. He considered Winona, his soon-to-be apprentice, needing protection.

"I hear you recently found a daughter, Yvette?" he began, continuing without waiting for a reply, "These girls are both dear to you. You shouldn't neglect one for the other. Winona seems upset, but won't confide in me." He added, "Victor told me Yvette is bullying her. The Chambers' family matters aren't my concern, but Winona will be my apprentice tomorrow. If no one else will protect her, I will. Don't you agree?"