On the tablet, there were twenty-three videos and thirty-five explicit diary entries. All of which were so graphic that they could shatter the viewer’s moral compass.
The videos involved eighteen male celebrities, but the only female protagonist was Yaretzi Elwes. The diary entries were Yaretzi Elwes’ post-coital reflections, involving thirty-five male celebrities.
After removing duplicates, Darnell carefully calculated that thirty male celebrities were on the list. Many of them were seen by the public as good men, good husbands, and good fathers.
Darnell believed that if even one of these videos were leaked, it would become a headline. The male protagonists in the videos would undoubtedly be ruined, unable to continue in the entertainment industry, and hunted down by advertisers.
He would also become the number one paparazzo in the entertainment industry…
Darnell believed that if he used these videos for blackmail, he could easily make a million per video, given that the male protagonists were all prominent figures.
Darnell smirked lightly, “Doesn’t this mean my performance target of 1. 8 billion can be achieved?”
Of course, Darnell did not act on it. Although he despised the male protagonists who fooled around after marriage, he didn’t want to actively play the moral crusader and stir up trouble.
He copied the videos and diary entries into an encrypted email and then locked the tablet away in a drawer.
As Darnell pondered how to handle the tablet, three bulletproof Mercedes-Benz cars slowly entered the scenic spot of Marfair Mountains in Whiteville.
After driving up a mountain road, the cars finally stopped in front of a small white building-Maple Oasis. Though aged, the villa exuded an air of prestige.
On either side of Maple Oasis were over a dozen similar small buildings, all with a vintage style and guarded entrances.
Marfair Mountains was not only a five-star scenic spot but also a retirement home for senior officials. Almost all the retired top leaders of Whiteville spent their twilight years here.
The three Mercedes-Benz cars passed through the main gate and parked in front of the main building.
“Bang!”
The car doors opened, and six black-clad bodyguards stepped out first, scanning their surroundings with vigilant eyes.
Then, Abbigail emerged from the middle car, looking spirited and smiling softly. Her men’s shirt and black pants reduced her femininity but added a touch of masculinity.
The morning breeze gently lifted her close-fitting red shirt, making her curvaceous body faintly visible.
Many guards couldn’t take their eyes off her.
The enchanting woman smoothed her hair and walked into the luxurious hall with a charming smile.
Hearing the sound of high heels clicking, several men and women gathered in the hall turned their heads. Seeing Abbigail, they were overjoyed. “Miss Cornish!”
A lavishly dressed woman, adorned with jewels, quickly stepped forward, dropping the phone she was holding and grabbing Abbigail’s hand, a hint of reproach in her eyes.
“Abbigail, why did you ditch your bodyguards last night? Where did you go? Your phone was off, and the bodyguards couldn’t find you.”
“Do you know how worried Thomas and I were?”
She touched Abbigail’s cheek, adding, “If you hadn’t shown up, I would have called the police.”
Facing the reproachful gaze of the lavishly dressed woman, Abbigail was uncharacteristically respectful and composed. She held the woman’s hand and said softly, “Michelle, I’m sorry. Last night, I was feeling a bit down, so I went to a bar for a drink and then slept alone in a hotel.”
Michelle whispered, “Feeling down?”
“Everyone has those gloomy days.”
Abbigail chuckled, “After a drink and a good sleep, I’m fine now.” Then she changed the subject.
“Michelle, don’t worry. I’m fine, and nothing happened to me. You don’t need to worry too much. I’m not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself.”
Michelle still insisted, “No matter how old you are, you’re still my little niece.”
Abbigail hugged Michelle to show her apology.
Then, she turned her gaze to a corner where several respectful servants stood, surrounding a sixty-year-old woman.
She was short, with little flesh on her face, looking as fragile as a dry twig that could snap at any moment. Yet, her eyes shone with a resilient light.
Abbigail’s lips twitched slightly, and she bowed slightly to the old lady. “Caitlin, I’m sorry for sneaking out while you were bathing last night.”
“It’s not that I don’t want your protection, but I needed some space. However, making you worry was my fault. Rest assured. I won’t do it again.”
Caitlin didn’t scold or show joy, stating calmly, “I’m glad you’re safe.”
Abbigail smiled, “Thank you, Caitlin.”
At this moment, Michelle squeezed Abbigail’s hand tightly, “Abbigail, we know you’re a grown-up, and we know you’re stronger than your peers. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have achieved what you have.”
“But you have more enemies than you can count on both hands and feet. You never know when they come after you.”
“Especially now that Zane is getting bail, I feel uneasy and worried.”
She clearly knew Zane. “That man is a scoundrel, capable of almost anything. If he’s out, he’ll definitely come after you.”
Michelle’s eyes were filled with concern. “The Cornish family and the Needham family have been close for generations. Thomas and your father were comrades-in-arms, and I’ve watched you grow up.”
“I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. If something happens to you, how can I explain it to Thomas? And how can Thomas explain it to your parents?”
“Michelle, I’m sorry. I was wrong. I won’t be so reckless again.”
Seeing Michelle’s concern, Abbigail was deeply moved and gently reassured her.
“I’ll try to go out less to avoid danger. If I must go out, I’ll obediently bring Caitlin along. Now that I’m back safe and sound, you should be happy.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t say more.”
Michelle stroked Abbigail’s cheek. “Stay home these next few days. Thomas should be back in a couple of days.”
Abbigail asked softly, “Has he taken care of his affairs in Goldkeep?”
“Whether he resolved it or not, he has to come back.”
Michelle’s face showed clear dissatisfaction. “He’s not a doctor. What’s the point of staying in Goldkeep? He might as well come back early to handle Zane’s situation.”
“Michelle, Uncle Thomas has done his best with Zane’s case.”
Abbigail’s eyes showed a hint of worry as she sighed, “If Zane can get out, it just means we underestimated him.”
“Not only did he manage to navigate the powerful families in Goldkeep, but he also made bold moves to eliminate all the evidence against him. Skyline Bank was bombed, a truckload of account books was burned, and over a dozen key witnesses disappeared.”
“What frustrates me the most is that even luck is on his side, allowing him to get seriously ill at this time and qualify for medical parole.”
“Do you have any other evidence to take him down?”
Michelle was well aware of how dangerous Zane was. “If he’s out, there will be no peace.”
Abbigail’s pretty face showed a trace of helplessness as she shook her head gently. “There’s no more evidence. All the evidence was destroyed. Although we caught a few involved, none of them admitted to being sent by Zane.”
“Cortez Impey suddenly refused to testify against Zane, and the account books never made it to the police.”
“I was feeling down last night after hearing this news, so I went out for a drink.”
She straightened up slightly, “Aunt Michelle, don’t worry about this. The police and the task force will handle it.”
“The Needham family, the Peel family, and the Wolmer family want a piece of the pie, so they won’t let Zane off easily.”
Michelle sighed, “They won’t go all out. They’ll take advantage when they can and bail when they can’t. Relying on them to bring down Zane might be a bit difficult.”
Then she waved her hand in frustration. “Alright, forget it, forget it.”
“No matter how things develop, as long as you stay here, no one can harm you. The Pasmore family still has the power to protect you.”
Then she scrutinized Abbigail’s outfit. “Your clothes… they look like men’s.”
Abbigail smiled, “For safety, I disguised myself when I went out last night.”
“Nonsense!”
Michelle tapped the back of Abbigail’s hand. “Do you think I didn’t check the surveillance footage? You were wearing a dress when you left!”
Abbigail froze for a moment, then laughed and explained, “I was wearing a dress when I left, but I changed into this men’s outfit before entering the bar.”
“It cost a hundred and eighty bucks.”
She casually explained, “Street vendor stuff, not worth much.”
“Really?”
Michelle pinched the shirt and examined it, then immediately exclaimed, “It cost a hundred and eighty? You couldn’t buy it for eighteen hundred dollars!”
Abbigail was shocked. “Is it that expensive?”
Michelle tugged at a loose thread on the shirt’s cuff and explained, “This is from a brand called ‘One Thread’. The entire garment is woven from a single thread.”
“‘One Thread’ is a world-renowned luxury brand, designed by the master, Abuno. They only sell twelve pieces per season, each priced at thirty thousand dollars.”
“You can’t buy it even if you have the money. Buyers must be of prominent status and noble birth, or someone respected by Abuno.”
“In Westergold, only one person is a client of ‘One Thread’, and that’s the powerful Mr. Rhodes from Goldkeep.”
Abbigail’s face darkened as she thought of Darnell’s closet full of red shirts…