Chapter 300

"Is that so?" Nicolas clapped his hands. The person Darwin brought was Corey's closest confidant, his body drenched in ice water. The extent of his torture was unknown. Before the man appeared, Nicolas thoughtfully covered Thea's eyes, shielding her from the gruesome sight.

"Mr. Xander sent me to approach Gregory," the man cried, his sobs continuous. "Mr. Xander is dissatisfied with April's matter. He wanted Ms. Rowland to pay the price and eliminate Gregory, a long-standing problem. I was forced. Nicolas's methods are too cruel; no one could withstand them without confessing."

Endless cries echoed in Corey's ears. His face drained of color, he approached Nicolas. "Mr. Hendrix, I didn't know—"

Nicolas interrupted, "Mr. Xander, instead of making excuses, why don't you check on your Viper organization? The police are about to raid your hideout." His sneer sent a chill down Corey's spine.

The Viper, an underground organization with high-level connections, would normally receive advance warning of police action. However, Nicolas had personally pressured the authorities, ensuring their cooperation. The police chose Nicolas over Corey without hesitation.

Returning to his hideout, Corey discovered Nicolas wasn't bluffing. Not only was the hideout raided, but all Viper activities were swiftly dismantled. Everyone capitalized on the downfall of the Viper, vying for the best results in the operation. Corey became a target, and he didn't disappoint the police.

At home, Thea and Joyce listened to Jamie's report, their surprise palpable. For years, the Viper had operated undetected, their underground business even more extensive and reaching into forbidden areas. "Such people should have died a long time ago," Joyce exclaimed, waving her fist. "Mr. Hendrix has done a great job, eliminating this evil."

Jamie, unhappy, squeezed beside her. "Why aren't you praising me? I personally led the investigation into Mrs. Hendrix's case."

Watching their closeness, Thea smiled sadly, her loneliness evident. Ivy's death had been solved, and Emmalie's parentage revealed.

Sarah, a fugitive for years, quickly confessed. Emmalie was her daughter, conceived after Sarah's relationship with a poor man was ended by Ivy, who was secretly working for the Forrester family who sought to improve their standing through Sarah's marriage. Sarah, already pregnant, focused her hatred on Ivy. Sarah disappeared after the breakup, believed to have eloped, but the poor man never contacted her again. Thea felt no sympathy, however, because Sarah had stolen Thea's real sister years ago, leaving her body undiscovered in the mountains. Ivy spent her life searching for Emmalie, unaware that her obedient daughter was an imposter who had tried to kill her; Ivy likely met Thea's real sister in the afterlife.

Emmalie's parentage caused a scandal online. Her former agent also betrayed her. The marks from Emmalie's abusive past resurfaced, further damaging her reputation. Online comments highlighted her questionable character.

Emmalie's rage consumed her upon learning her mother's betrayal. She smashed everything in sight. "No, this isn't true! I'm a Rowland! They're all lying, jealous and trying to destroy me!" she screamed hysterically, her mind unraveling. Years of living as Emmalie had erased her true name, and she felt no guilt over seizing Thea's life.

The door opened, bringing light to her darkened room. Thea stood there, cold and composed. Emmalie, sitting defeated on the floor, was no longer charming or gentle.

"Emmalie, your bail is over," Thea stated coldly. "Don't forget your murder charge. The police are losing patience."

Emmalie's eyes narrowed. "Are you here to laugh at me?"

Thea admitted, "You know everything, then? It seems you haven't forgotten what you did. Watching your downfall gives me another ten years of life."

(Chapter 300 Continued)

"Thea, go to hell!" Emmalie lunged, her eyes blazing. But Nicolas intercepted her, knocking her down. He rarely struck women, but Emmalie was an exception—disgusting.

"Nicolas," Emmalie cried, hurt by his coldness. "I knew you first! Why do you only see Thea? I'm not inferior in beauty or talent!" She'd hoped to attract his attention, but it was wishful thinking.

Nicolas sneered. "You're no match for Thea. Where did you get such confidence?"

Thea spoke, "Your brother, Duncan, saw the online rumors and sent you a letter." It was a letter of severance; Duncan wanted nothing to do with Emmalie.