Chapter 144

"Are they alive?" Kayla's voice cracked, eyes wide with panic.

"They have to be! They are alive!" Tears streamed down Kayla's face as Grayson's cries pierced the silence. "Mommy! I want Mommy! Save her! I'm sorry, Mommy, I'm sorry!" He thrashed, trying to escape the butler's grasp. "Let me go! I have to find Mommy!"

The butler, clearly distressed, held Grayson back gently. "Mr. Vanderbilt, don't worry. We'll find your mother."

Dominick stumbled, Julian catching him just in time. "Dom!" Julian's voice was strained. Dominick's eyes were vacant, unfocused, tears silently tracing paths down his cheeks.

"Dom, pull yourself together," Julian urged, his voice thick with sorrow.

Dominick closed his eyes, a single word escaping his lips. "Julian... find her... from the video."

"We'll find Paisley!" Paul's voice was choked with emotion. "We have to!" Reginald sprang into action. "I'll arrange it immediately." The Vanderbilts' influence in Harrowfell was considerable. The video provided a lead; the search could begin.

"Find her! We have to find her!" Kayla cried, her helplessness palpable.

Suddenly, Marissa's laughter echoed through the room, jarring and cruel. Lauren exploded. "What's so funny? How dare you laugh!"

"Why shouldn't I?" Marissa sneered. "You Vanderbilts are pathetic!"

Kayla's fury ignited. She slapped Marissa. "How dare you hit me!" Marissa shrieked, struggling against a restraining servant.

Marissa, unable to break free, laughed hysterically. "You're all so stupid! The child is dead, and now you care? Is this your regret? Enjoy it!"

Lauren could only glare, speechless with rage.

Marissa raised an eyebrow. "Jeremy's an idiot. He wasted the money I gave him. Probably gambled it away. Useless. If I'd known, I'd have done it myself!" She straightened, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "My goal is achieved. Paisley is dead!"

Chapter 141

"Murder is illegal, Marissa! Inciting murder is illegal!" Kayla's voice was laced with bitter disappointment.

"So what? I got what I wanted."

"My brother doesn't love you! This was all for nothing!"

Marissa scoffed. "Do I need his love? Am I as foolish as Paisley, cooking and fawning over ingrates? I want power, money!"

Silence hung heavy in the air. Marissa’s words cut deep.

"Hit a nerve?" Marissa taunted. "You Vanderbilts are fools! You abandon those who care for you and trust fakes like me. You trusted me completely!"

Lauren and Reginald’s faces burned with fury, but they were speechless. Marissa had spoken the truth.

Kayla felt the sting of Marissa’s words like a fresh slap.

Marissa turned to Dominick, venom dripping from her words. "I hate you most. I think Paisley hated you most, too."

"What does my brother have to do with this?" Kayla snapped. "He loved Paisley!"

Marissa sneered. "That's love? He's nice to everyone. He even dates me! But Paisley? No patience. He expects her unconditional loyalty. Any complaint is a tantrum. Because he knows she loves him, he knows she'll never leave. What kind of love is that?"