"We will investigate."Madam Quinn finally spoke.
The entire hall immediately became quiet.
Her calm voice carried far more pressure than shouting ever could.
"If there are any illegitimate children, they will be taken care of properly."
She placed her teacup down.
"So what if they are illegitimate? So what if they are stepchildren? As long as they carry Quinn blood, they will be treated equally."
Her eyes swept across the room.
"The children are innocent The fault belongs to their parents And according to family law...The parents will be punished."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
"Mom!"Thomas almost jumped from his seat."Investigate me! I would never do something like that!"
Evenly suddenly covered her face.
A sob escaped her lips.
"Mother..."
She sniffled pitifully.
"Please investigate."
Everyone looked at her.
"I also want my husband's name cleared."
She wiped her eyes dramatically.
"And don't leave Diego out of it."
Diego almost choked on air.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Evenly pointed toward Rose.
"He has dealings with Rose too."
Rose nearly fainted.
Why was she still being dragged into this?
Faith immediately straightened.
"That's right."
She folded her arms.
"They should investigate Diego too."
Then she smiled sweetly.
"I trust my husband I know he won't do anything like that and you are trying to ruin his name so he will show you proof then you have to apologize."
The moment those words came out...
Diego felt a headache coming.
Faith never smiled like that unless trouble was coming.
She absolutely wanted the investigation.
Not because she believed he was cheating.
But because she wanted proof that he wasn't.
Which somehow felt more terrifying.
"You're such a wonderful wife."Diego said as rolled his eyes.
Faith smiled brighter.
Diego instantly looked away.
The Quinn Family had strict rules.
Everyone knew them.
Cheating wasn't worth it.
If a husband was caught cheating:
Half of his personal authority within the family would be stripped away.
A large percentage of his shares would be transferred to his wife.
If the wife demanded a divorce...
He would lose even more.
And depending on the severity, he could be removed from family affairs entirely for years.
No access.
No resources.
No influence.
No connections.
Only an idiot would risk it.
And Diego didn't consider himself an idiot.
As for Thomas...
That was another matter entirely.
Thomas glared at Evenly.
Evenly continued crying.
Looking pitiful.
Looking wronged.
Looking like the perfect victim.
Inside, however...
She was completely calm.
She didn't actually care about the random women around Thomas.
They were insignificant.
They came and went.
None of them mattered.
But Rose...
Rose was different.
Whenever Rose appeared, Thomas always behaved differently.
Too attentive.
Too protective.
Too willing to help.
And that irritated her.
So if she could use this opportunity to take some of Thomas's shares as a warning...
Why not?
Serves the bastard right.
Meanwhile, Thomas felt his blood pressure rising.
Across the room, Heaven quietly lowered her head.
For once...
She remained silent.
She had originally planned to help support Rose if she did succeed to be with Nathan she could benefit .
But somehow...
Things had escalated so quickly that even she was shocked.
The siblings weren't fighting anymore.
They were actively trying to bury each other alive.
And Rose...
Poor Rose.
She had only wanted to provoke Emily.
Yet somehow she had become the center of a full-scale family investigation.
At this point, Heaven almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
"Are you people done disgracing yourselves?"Grandpa Quinn finally snapped.
The entire hall fell silent.
The old man looked around at everyone gathered there and felt a headache coming on.
"I finally agreed to host a one-week family vacation."He pointed at the group."And every single day there's either an argument, a fight, or some shocking family secret being exposed."
His face darkened.
"If you can't keep your secrets hidden, then why have them in the first place? At this point, you might as well grab a microphone and announce them to the world."
The younger generation immediately lowered their heads.
Grandpa Quinn wasn't finished.
"Then you all complain when I kick you out and make you live in your own houses after turning eighteen."
He scoffed.
"If it were up to me, I would've thrown all of you out at ten."
Madam Quinn nodded beside him.
Completely agreeing.
Unlike most grandparents who desperately wanted their children and grandchildren visiting every day...
The Quinn couple wanted peace and quiet then having children was mistake they wanted one then and accident happened and they had triplets Nathan, Thomas and vera they thought raising them let them take over the family property then they can have peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, their descendants seemed determined to destroy both.
"We finally gather together after months apart..."Grandpa Quinn pointed at them again."And this is what we get?"
He took a deep breath.
"No more week-long family gatherings."
Everyone froze but didn't argue they wanted to use this to get shares instead they face problem.
"Especially not in my personal residence."
Grandpa Quinn wrapped an arm around Madam Quinn's shoulder.
"My wife and I enjoy our peace too much Never again."
Madam Quinn nodded immediately.
The truth was...
Both of them had already been looking for an excuse to send everyone home.
This was simply the perfect opportunity.
Meanwhile, Emily stood up.
"I'm going out."
Everyone looked toward her.
"I'll be back before the family dinner tonight."
Nathan immediately stood up too.
"Where are you going without me?"
Emily looked at him.
Then casually pushed him back onto the couch with one finger.
The movement was so natural everyone knew it happened often.
"I'm taking Ava with me."
Emily picked up her handbag.
"It's time she starts learning the Haley Family business And eventually inherits the Haley name."
The room instantly became quiet.
Heaven blinked.
"Oh my."
Her smile widened slightly.
"Isn't Ava a Quinn? If you let her inherit the Haley Family name, doesn't that mean she's giving up part of her Quinn inheritance?"
She tilted her head."One shouldn't be greedy, right? I'm sure your siblings wouldn't appreciate that."
The moment those words left her mouth...
Emily stopped walking.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Then she turned around.
Her expression was calm.
Which somehow made it even scarier.
"You are the Quinn couple's guest."
Emily smiled."Not mine."The smile disappeared."So I won't bother pretending to be a gentle host."
The entire hall went silent.
"First of all..."Emily looked directly at Heaven."Shut the fuck up."
Heaven's smile froze.
"Ava will inherit the Haley Family. If anyone has a problem with it, they are welcome to come bite me."
Emily crossed her arms.
"I built the Haley Family into what it is today Alone So who I choose as my successor is none of your business."
She paused.
"As for Quinn inheritance...my husband is a Quinn My children are Quinns What belongs to my children will go to my children Rightfully."Her eyes narrowed"Or by force if necessary."
Nobody dared interrupt.
Then Emily looked Heaven up and down.
"And Heaven You aren't even a blood relative Yet you keep inserting yourself into Quinn Family affairs."
Her tone became mocking.
"Is that how wives from elite families behave these days? How improper Or perhaps you're simply showing everyone how much of a busybody you really are."
Heaven's face instantly turned pale.
Before she could answer, Emily turned around again.
"I'm leaving."
Then she walked out.
Without giving anyone another glance.
The hall remained completely silent.
Nathan calmly stood up.
Everyone looked toward him.
"My wife doesn't joke when it comes to our children."
His voice was gentle.
Dangerously gentle.
"So choose your words more carefully next time."He looked at Heaven."Because today she was being nice."
Then he adjusted his sleeves.
"As for the rest of you..."Nathan yawned."Your faces are boring me."
And with that...
He turned around and left.
Leaving behind another battlefield.
And several people questioning their life choices.
The black limousine glided smoothly through the city like a king leading an army.
It wasn't an ordinary limousine.
The custom-made armored vehicle stretched nearly twice the length of a normal luxury car.
The exterior was polished to a mirror-like black finish, reflecting the surrounding skyscrapers as it passed.
followed ten identical white luxury limousines in perfect formation five in the front five in the back.
Each vehicle maintained the exact same distance from the one in front, creating an intimidating convoy that instantly caused traffic to part.
Motorcycles escorted both sides of the convoy while security SUVs followed at the rear.
Pedestrians stopped to stare.
Some secretly took pictures.
Inside the limousine, however, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
The spacious cabin looked less like a car and more like a luxurious private lounge.
Cream-colored leather seats wrapped around the interior in a U-shape.
Dark walnut panels lined the walls, accented with thin strips of warm golden lighting.
A crystal minibar occupied one corner, stocked with premium juices, sparkling water, imported teas, and expensive wines.
The floor was covered by a thick handmade Persian carpet, soft enough to sink one's feet into.
A transparent partition separated the driver from the passengers, ensuring complete privacy.
The soft scent of white tea and jasmine drifted gently through the cabin.
Emily sat lazily on one side of the limousine with one leg crossed over the other.
She looked completely relaxed, scrolling through funny videos on her phone while occasionally chuckling under her breath.
Across from her sat Ava.
Unlike her mother, Ava had several documents spread neatly across the fold-out table.
Her expression was calm as she carefully reviewed reports one after another.
The Haley Family was one of the ten most influential families in the world.
Unlike the Quinn Family, whose influence extended into almost every industry imaginable, the Haley Family had built an empire by specializing in luxury consumer businesses.
Their cosmetic brands dominated both high-end and everyday markets.
From makeup lines and skincare products to plastic surgery hospitals and aesthetic clinics, their name was known worldwide.
They owned luxury jewelry brands, designer handbags, shoes, belts, watches, and countless fashion accessories.
Their mining companies supplied precious gemstones and rare metals.
They controlled several prestigious associations, including music, art, fashion, and entertainment organizations.
Their tea companies, alcohol brands, shopping malls, and lifestyle businesses stretched across every major continent.
These industries alone were enough to secure the Haley Family's place among the world's strongest financial powers.
However...
Very few people knew that behind the glamorous businesses lay another empire.
One hidden from the public.
Casinos.
Private clubs.
Luxury hotels.
Exclusive restaurants.
Bathhouses.
Underground auction houses.
Those businesses existed under different names and different companies.
Only Emily, Nathan, Ava, Luis, and the trusted executives responsible for managing those sectors knew the complete picture.
That hidden empire had been personally built by Emily over many years.
To show Ava family work on money and Nathan's own assets had yet to be formally divided, the family had already reached a quiet understanding.
Everything Emily controlled, along with the Haley Family inheritance, would eventually be placed under Ava's management.
Luis would inherit his father bussiness and would face the Quinn family.
Meanwhile, Madam Quinn had already hinted that the industries she personally owned outside the Quinn Family businesses would also eventually go to Ava.
To maintain fairness, Luis would later receive a portion of the Haley Family properties as well, balancing the distribution between the siblings.
The only sounds inside the limousine were the turning of documents and Emily's occasional laughter whenever another funny video appeared on her screen.
Emily didn't even look up from her phone. The glow of the screen reflected in her half-lidded eyes as another short video played.
"The Chi family wants to increase the money we pay to use their route?" Ava asked, closing the document with a soft snap.
"Hmm." Emily lazily scrolled to the next video. "Pride has gotten into their heads."
She sighed, sounding more bored than annoyed. "They never learn."
"Then we find another family willing to take their place." Ava smiled sweetly, as if discussing tea instead of murder."Removing the Chi family completely would create unnecessary drama. We simply kill the family head and let someone else inherit the position."
Emily finally glanced up, raising an eyebrow.
"And what if it comes back to bite us? I don't want another fool with main-character syndrome sitting in that chair, secretly believing they can overthrow us."
Ava let out a soft chuckle.
"Who said I'd give them the chance?" She folded her hands neatly on her lap. "I've already found the perfect scapegoat. By the time anyone realizes something is wrong, they'll already be chasing the wrong person."
Emily's lips curved into a faint smile.
"And the new family head?"
Ava's smile widened, almost angelic.
"They'll be my first test subject already use them ."
Emily locked her phone and finally gave Ava her full attention.
"The new poison?"
Ava nodded once.
"It leaves almost no trace he depends on the antiode any thoughts to harm us lead to Death." She tilted her head innocently. "
For a brief moment, silence filled the luxurious limousine as the convoy of white vehicles continued speeding down the highway.
Then Emily leaned back against the leather seat and smiled.
"Go ahead. Just make sure whoever replaces the Chi family remembers exactly why they were allowed to sit in that position."
The limousine convoy slowly came to a stop in front of a towering private clubhouse hidden in the financial district.
The moment the lead vehicle stopped, bodyguards in black suits stepped out in perfect synchronization.
Their sharp eyes swept across every corner of the street before opening the limousine doors.
Pedestrians instinctively moved aside.
Some secretly took photos.
Others whispered among themselves, wondering which influential family had arrived.
Luxury cars lined both sides of the road, while businessmen and elegantly dressed guests entering the building couldn't help but steal curious glances at the convoy.
Emily stepped out first.
Ava followed beside her, her expression calm as if this level of attention was nothing unusual.
Nearly twenty bodyguards surrounded the mother and daughter as they entered the building.
The lobby manager hurried over personally.
"This way, Mrs. Emily."
He bowed respectfully before leading them toward the private elevator.
No one dared stop them.
The elevator opened directly onto the top floor.
A pair of heavy mahogany double doors engraved with golden dragons slowly swung open.
Inside was an enormous private meeting room.
Dark walnut walls were decorated with traditional ink paintings and expensive calligraphy.
A crystal chandelier hung overhead, reflecting warm golden light across the room.
The center held a massive oval conference table carved from a single piece of rare blackwood.
Every chair was handcrafted leather with embroidered golden patterns.
Behind the seats stood floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city skyline.
A tea station occupied one corner of the room where rare teas worth thousands of dollars rested inside glass display cabinets.
Fresh orchids and white lilies filled the room with a faint elegant fragrance.
Everything inside screamed wealth, status, and power.
Six middle-aged men were already seated around the table.
Each had two or three bodyguards standing silently behind them.
The moment Emily entered, every pair of eyes landed on her.
One of the men, sporting a thick mustache, stood with a smile.
"Mrs. Emily."
The remaining five greeted her one after another.
Then his gaze shifted toward Ava.
He chuckled.
"Bringing your daughter to a meeting? Is this a business negotiation...or a children's party?"
Several of the men laughed softly.
Ava didn't even spare him a glance.
She casually tossed a thick document onto the conference table.
It landed directly in front of Mr. Chi.
The laughter stopped.
Mr. Chi frowned.
"What is this?"
The other five men instinctively exchanged glances.
Ava smiled sweetly.
"Evidence."
She rested both hands on the table.
"It contains records of all six of you secretly working together Bribery Backdoor deals Moving money And your little plan to gradually seize control of our casino business and auction houses."
The smiles on the six men's faces disappeared almost instantly.
For the first time since Emily entered...
The atmosphere became heavy.
Mr. Chi slowly closed the document without opening it.
"So what if we did?"
He leaned back in his chair.
"This is business Everyone wants the biggest slice of the cake."
His eyes narrowed.
"Especially when your mother has been taking most of the profits for years so be grateful we still want to work with you guys."
He folded his hands together.
"One shouldn't be so selfish."
A fat, middle-aged man sitting beside him nodded immediately.
"Exactly We're only trying to create a fair distribution After all...everyone deserves an opportunity to benefit."
Emily finally looked up from her phone.
She lazily locked the screen and placed it on the table.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"A fair distribution?"
Her voice was calm.
"So. You six secretly formed an alliance used my routes made money under my protection and now you want to take my businesses."She tilted her head slightly."And you call that fairness?"