Layne was too busy talking to Oliver to even glance at Channing.
After a few seconds, he addressed him emotionlessly:
“This mall is under your name, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’m buying this toy store. And fire this woman; she’s an eyesore!”
The sales assistant didn’t recognize Layne, but she had seen Channing from afar during the mall’s opening ceremony.
Even the chairman had to bow to him. What was she, a small sales clerk?
Terrified, her legs went weak, and her face turned pale.
“I’m sorry, sir… I didn’t mean it; I was just joking.”
The atmosphere was awkward.
Though Cheyenne didn’t know what had happened, she could guess from her grandfather’s reaction.
Her face darkened, and she glared coldly at the woman.
Cheyenne’s cold stares made the woman even more anxious.
She was clearly a bully who preyed on the weak.
Cheyenne disdainfully looked away and spoke to Layne.
“Why get angry over someone irrelevant? Oliver has plenty of toys.”
“Yes, grandfather, let’s go home. Oliver misses you.”
With the two treasures coaxing him, Layne had no time for anger.
“Alright, alright, let’s go home. Grandpa brought you something special, something even your mommy would be jealous of.”
Oliver became even more excited.
As they walked away, the sales assistant thought she might have escaped trouble and sighed in relief.
Walking at the back, Kelvin frowned with concern and whispered to his father-in-law.
“Dad, are we really letting this go?”
Channing chuckled coldly.
“Of course not. Take my card and call the mall manager. I want this store gone in three days.”
He was never a gentleman nor a benevolent person.
Channing’s principle: he could tolerate anything, but not being taken advantage of!
A week had passed since the peace suppression, and all those involved were brought to justice.
The Weaver family was destroyed and expelled from Onistead, and the Lara family lost its reputation and was in decline.
Juliana, the eldest daughter of the Chambers family and Hayden’s fiancée, was sentenced to eight years for her involvement in Elsa’s kidnapping.
Her career was over.
The Chambers family, known for its scholarly reputation, was forced to disown her to protect its name.
Her online defenders were left dumbfounded.
Juliana’s pity-ploys no longer worked, and the Twitter comments were full of scorn.
The best PR team couldn’t quell the public outrage.
“I used to swear Juliana was wrongfully accused. Now my face is burning.”
“Actors are heartless. Kidnapping a child-Juliana, are you even human?”
“From now on, I turn from fan to hater. Two types of people don’t deserve to live: rapists and human traffickers. Goodbye, never supporting any celebrity again.”
“Poor Kate, her daughter kidnapped, the culprit close by. No wonder she hit her publicly. I’d want to kill her.”
Even some fanatic fans trying to defend Juliana were ridiculed.
The evidence was provided by the authorities, and no one from the Chambers family supported her. Their attempts to rewrite the story were laughable.
With the court’s verdict, Juliana’s fate was sealed.
She couldn’t return to the entertainment industry, as the country barred disgraced artists from going abroad.
Her name topped the black list, making it impossible to erase her sins with time.
While many had been brought to justice, not all threads were resolved.
Sasha, the Weaver family’s young daughter, was still missing.
Glenn scoured every inch of Dragon Serpent Isle but found nothing, leaving him both relieved and worried.
Relieved that Sasha wasn’t on that deadly island; worried because she was still in danger with Sam.
He couldn’t tell Kate the truth, as she was in the early, fragile stage of her pregnancy.
Better to find Sasha before facing her.
“Wait for me, Kate. Sasha, too. I’ll find you and bring you home.”
He looked out of his office window at the blood-red sunset, reflecting on his empty hands.
From nothing to happiness, to emptiness again-was he, Glenn, destined to be unhappy?
He didn’t think it was greed to want an ordinary, happy life.
“Am I being greedy?”
“Kate… wait for me. We’ll reunite soon.”
“Sasha, hold on… Dad is coming for you.”
His fists clenched, holding onto his resolve despite his empty hands.
He wouldn’t allow his happiness to be taken.
Just then, his phone rang.
Thinking it was a routine staff call, he ignored it.
When he finally checked it the next day, he was instantly alert.
“If you want your precious daughter, have Kelvin and Cheyenne meet me at XXX.”
“Sam.”
The detailed address was clearly a trap, but Master Glenn had no time to ponder it.
Grabbing a coat, he rushed out.
Meanwhile, in the Presidential Palace’s study, Mr. Harrison met with Cheyenne, Kelvin, Iker, and Old Bray.
The modern presidential residence concealed a room with traditional charm; the air rich with the scent of ink-a stark contrast.
Old Bray admired the study before even entering.
They had to pass through a security check, especially strict against carrying any weapons.
A young guard at the entrance explained:
“We ensure strict security for the President’s safety.”
“No problem, start with me.”
Old Bray set aside his brass pipe, ready for inspection.
A refined figure in black emerged from the room, dismissing the guards.
“No need. These people can be trusted.”