Victor glanced up, catching Yvette’s sharp gaze. Her piercing look made him feel exposed, as if she could see through his plan to kill Winona from the beginning. He offered an awkward smile, then looked away uncomfortably.

Yvette squeezed her fingers, then turned to Zachary. "Let's go," she said.

Zachary nodded, sparing a final glance at Winona's lifeless body; his expression heavy with resignation. Death had finally claimed her, ending her troubled life. Hopefully, she would find peace in the next.

Seeing them leave, Victor quickly instructed his men to secure the scene, then jogged to catch up, calling, "Mr. Chambers, please wait."

Zachary and Yvette paused, turning back as Victor adjusted his tie. He addressed Zachary with composed humility. "Mr. Chambers, I assure you the Carter family had no part in today's events. Please don't misunderstand our intentions. My grandfather, Claude, has decided to withdraw from Seacrity and focus on expanding in Mysonna. Soon, only the Chambers and Lewis families will remain."

Zachary's surprise was evident. The Carters, entrenched in Seacrity for generations, were abandoning the city? Reflecting on their recent stock sell-off, he realized it wasn't a market strategy—this was a complete retreat. It was abrupt.

Victor lowered his gaze, concealing the complexity of the decision. Leaving Seacrity was monumental for the Carters, uprooting a centuries-old legacy. But they'd run out of options. His grandfather had admitted to quietly encouraging the events that led to Yvette's mother's downfall, though he hadn't directly participated.

Initially, Yvette, a seemingly harmless young woman from the countryside, had attracted little attention upon her return. But things spiraled quickly. She garnered the interest of Betrico's elite, becoming a renowned artist and an Interpol officer. Her involvement had undoubtedly turned the tide in the Chambers family's clash with the Smiths. The outcome for Dennis and the Smiths made the Carters realize the stakes were too high. Before Yvette could turn her attention to them, they needed to withdraw to Mysonna, beyond her reach.

Victor recalled the arranged marriage Claude had planned for Rebecca, securing the Carters' influence in Mysonna through a powerful family connection. Witnessing the defeat of Winona's men, Victor understood Yvette's danger. Claude had been right; a confrontation would be disastrous. Claude knew the shrewd Jaiden Lewis would never cross the Chambers, and once the Carters withdrew, Seacrity would belong to the Chambers.

Zachary offered a courteous, "Congratulations," his voice polite. He knew Claude's departure was strategic, but the specifics remained unclear.

As Victor watched them leave, he began to relax—until Yvette stopped. Without turning, she smirked faintly. "Running won't change the consequences of your actions," she said slowly.

Victor froze, a chill coursing down his spine as cold sweat broke out. Does Yvette know something? he wondered.

Zachary, though puzzled, refrained from questioning her remark.

As they disappeared, Victor immediately called his grandfather. "Hey, Claude…"

As soon as Yvette and Zachary left the factory, Layla's driver hurried over, visibly relieved to see Yvette unharmed. He'd been prepared to risk his job to ensure her safety.

"Miss, are you alright?" he asked anxiously. "I called the police—they should be here soon."

Zachary glanced curiously at the driver. Looking at the kind driver, Yvette's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Are you interested in a new job?"

The driver hesitated, sighing pessimistically. "Miss, finding work isn't easy. If Ms. Chambers fires me, I'll have no options. She's a branch member of the Chambers family, favored by Mr. Chambers. If she speaks out, no one in Seacrity's elite circles would hire me."

Zachary's eyebrows shot up. When had I ever shown favor toward Layla? he thought.

Yvette raised a brow. "Don't you have something to say?"

Clearing his throat, Zachary addressed the driver. "I'm the Mr. Chambers you're talking about. If you're interested, I'd be happy to hire you. Twenty thousand monthly salary, full benefits through the Chambers Group. Acceptable?"

The driver gaped. A twenty-thousand salary with benefits seemed like a dream.

Zachary produced his business card, easing the driver's uncertainty. Seeing the card, the driver's nervousness turned to excitement. This was a billionaire, a man whose influence could shake Seacrity's business world, treating him respectfully.

Yvette gave the driver a cool look. "Think it over. If you're interested, contact him."

The driver nodded vigorously. This opportunity was beyond his wildest dreams. "Ms. Chambers, Mr. Chambers, I don't need to think it over. I can start tomorrow."

"Great," Zachary replied. "Report to the Chambers residence in the morning."

As he watched them leave, the driver felt incredibly lucky. His daughter's words echoed: Be kind, and the heavens will reward you. Had he ignored Yvette, he doubted this fortune would have come his way.

In the car, Zachary kept glancing at Yvette, his mind lingering on her cryptic words to Victor.

Yvette noticed. "Go ahead," she said with a faint smile.

Zachary hesitated. "So, uh, Yvette… that last thing you said to Victor about 'running'—what exactly did you mean?"

His curiosity was unguarded.

Propping her chin on her hand, Yvette replied calmly, "Claude might have been involved in what happened back then."

Zachary's grip faltered. He pulled over. "That Claude jerk had a hand in it?" His expression hardened. "Then let's go after him—he can't get away."

He reached for his phone, but Yvette's cool gaze stopped him. "It's only a suspicion," she said. "I have no evidence."

Zachary paused, his fingers hovering over the dial. He nodded firmly. "Your suspicion is all the evidence needed."