Robert whisked Yulia from the stage, passing Winona as if she were a stranger. Victor hesitated, seeing Winona's tears, but the situation left him no choice but to follow. The venue fell silent, a hush settling over the audience.

Zachary, in a dark suit, strode to the center of the stage and took the microphone. His lips were pursed, his face stern, yet his eyes held a flicker of relief unnoticed by most. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “I have another announcement. I have decided to bequeath all my assets—shares in Chambers Group, my money, stocks, real estate, and antique collections—to my daughter, Yvette. The necessary documents are executed. Effective today, Yvette is my sole heir.”

A wave of shock rippled through the room. The whispers were audible: Does Zachary mean to leave everything to Yvette? How is this possible? This is unprecedented! Regardless of how much a daughter is loved, the assumption is that the estate goes to the son. No one would allow a daughter to inherit a company. And he has a son!

Yvette, however, remained unfazed, sitting languidly, her eyes bright and keenly observant. Her slender fingers tapped the rim of her cup, a silent question in her gaze: Had her father discovered something?

Jeremiah, owner of numerous companies far exceeding Chambers Group, remained unconcerned with the family's petty cash. Yvette could have any of his if she wished. In the garden, secluded from the drama unfolding on stage, Yvette and Jeremiah enjoyed themselves as if in paradise.

Simon and Wyatt, seasoned by life's vicissitudes, registered only mild surprise. Nellie stared at Zachary in disbelief, rooted to the spot.

Zeke materialized, storming onto the stage. “Dad, have you lost your mind?” he shouted. “Were you threatened? Are you suffering from dementia? How could you do this? I’m your son, the rightful heir! How can you leave everything to Yvette simply because she’s Cyanbird?”

Zachary’s eyes narrowed, icy. “Your opinion is irrelevant. Leave the stage.”

Zeke refused to budge, bewildered by the sudden shift. Yvette was now beyond his reach, but Zachary's decision was even more unacceptable. He glared at his father, his animosity palpable. The audience watched in hushed silence, occasional whispers passing between them.

Zeke considered his options. He knew Nellie held legal claim to half the estate. He pulled the pale Nellie toward Zachary. “Mom, Dad’s lost his mind! You must say something! You own half of this! Do you want to give it to Yvette, too? What about Winona and me?”

Nellie’s lips moved, but no sound came, her gaze fixed on Zachary with deep affection. Zeke’s anxiety mounted. He saw Nellie's silence as a betrayal and knew Winona, equally dazed, wouldn’t help.

Before he could speak, Zachary reclaimed the microphone. “Furthermore,” he announced, “I am ending my marriage with Nellie. We will separate and never see each other again. The divorce agreement will be sent to the Smith family.”

Turning to Nellie, his composure unwavering, he continued, “Regarding the property, your mother signed a prenuptial agreement waiving all claims to marital assets. She has no claim to Chambers Group wealth. I can bequeath it as I see fit.”

Zeke was stunned. His mother had signed such an agreement? His last recourse was gone. Yet, seeing Yvette's effortless acquisition of the family assets, his resentment burned. He thought of Zachary as a callous scoundrel, leaving everything to his ex-wife’s daughter, showing Nellie no respect.

Winona, among the audience, sneered inwardly. Dad must have discovered Mother’s infidelity, she thought. This affects Zeke and me. We have nothing.

Nellie trembled, pointing at Zachary. “Honey, we’ve been married twenty years! Even if I haven’t been much help, I’ve endured so much! How can you treat me this way? Give the property to Yvette, I won’t object. But please, don’t abandon me!”

Her plea was humble, but Zachary remained unmoved. He had considered a more amicable parting, but knowledge of Nellie’s actions prevented it. He felt a burning rage toward her.

He approached Nellie. Under her hopeful gaze, he lowered his head and laughed softly, his voice only for her ears. “Zeke and Winona… they aren’t my children, are they? You drugged me. You think I haven’t suspected why I’d wake up in bed with you all these years? Whose children are they? Blake's? Your professor? The male model you’ve been supporting? Let me guess. I never touched you. It was all in your dreams. Familiar? You used that hallucinogen. And you likely don’t know where Blake’s men went after trying to kidnap Yvette. They’re at the police station, along with Blake.”