The Stone Group was riding high on a wave of new deals, all thanks to their high-profile hook-ups with the Max Group and Mr. Miller. However, if those big shots walked away, it was like a house of cards. Everything else could come crashing down.If that happened, it was game over for the Stone Group, and the Stone family was history.Celena knew the stakes but could not help but try to clear her name. With her back against the wall, she pleaded with Cidda, "I swear, I checked out those materials myself. They're top-notch, no question. I've got all the paperwork to prove it—certificates, inspections, you name it, I can show you."She shook her head, bewildered, "It's too weird. Seven sites, all with safety issues on the same day? That can't be a fluke. Someone's got it in for me, trying to drag down the Stone Group. You've got to dig deep, Mr. Quigley. We need the truth, for my sake, for the company's."Celena would not stake her reputation on just anything, but those materials? She
Celena felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she realized she was the one they were after. Her face lost more color, and she could barely control the tremble in her body.Gripping her hands into tight fists, Celena took a deep breath to calm her nerves and managed to say, "Hello, I'm Celena."The inspector's icy stare finally landed on her, taking her in with a look that could freeze the sun. He seemed taken aback that the head of the construction unit involved in the recent accident was such a striking young woman.After a moment, he handed over the stack of documents to Celena and said in a steely voice, "Ms. Stone, good to meet you. We're the commissioners from Drunham City's Safety Inspection Department, working with the state's joint law enforcement on this one. We've been looking into the five safety incidents at your construction sites, and our investigators have been on the ground gathering evidence as soon as they got the word."After a thorough investigation, the evidence
Yafe's shock topped them all. It was not long ago that Celena had ratted him out to Reginald for his own little embezzlement scheme. Then, there she was, caught red-handed with her own stash of 150 thousand dollars.Yafe lost it right there and then, his face twisted in rage as he bore down on Celena, bellowing, "Celena, you've got some gall! Sneaking around with 150 thousand dollars? You jeopardized the company for a measly 150 grand??""Mr. Stone, Celena's heartlessness knows no bounds!" someone chimed in."Can you believe it? For a measly 150 thousand dollars, someone would do something so cruel. We're talking about five human beings, five lives!""Mr. Quigley, you've got to take this vile woman away and throw the book at her. She's despicable!""And you, inspector, thank you. If you hadn't cracked this case, we'd all still be clueless!""Celena, you sure had us fooled, huh? When you were talking about Mr. Yafe Stone... we actually thought you were one of the good ones. Turns
"We feel deeply sorry for the five people who were injured, and we will follow the relevant procedure and make compensations. "As for the issue that everyone is most concerned about, which is whether Celena has accepted a bribe, the relevant department is currently looking into it. Please don't worry. "If Celena was found guilty of bribery and passed off poor quality materials as good ones after we got to the bottom of it, we absolutely won't let her off the hook, even if she's family. We definitely will punish her severely if justice demands it."Yafe made his stance clear as the representative of the Stone family. After the press conference, the attitude of the people of Drunham City eased up. However, the public opinion on the issue was still very terrible.After the press conference, Yafe, Walter, Hayden, and their families, as well as the relatives of the Stone family, gathered at the Stone Mansion.Reginald was initially resting in his room. After he learned about the situ
A major incident happened, and the entire Drunham City was talking about it. The Stone Group would certainly be affected. Reginald did not even dare to think about how terrible the situation of the company would be at that moment. Yafe became solemn after he heard Reginald's question and said, "Our company has received a notice. All the factories and constructions under our company have been asked to stop for the investigation. "All the projects in the company have been put on hold for now. We can only see what's the next step after the investigation is over."Other projects have been affected. The projects that we've yet to sign contracts for have all failed. Some of the contracts that have been signed are put on hold before we even start working on them. Some projects that were in progress were asked to stop for the investigation, so they've been delayed."Reginald's expression was extremely darkened at that moment. His eyes were filled with a frosty glint. He was holding his g
"You have to make sure the compensation for the five injured workers is handled well. We have to do our best to fulfill their request, no matter how much money they want. At this juncture, it's especially important to pacify the families of the injured workers," said Reginald.Yafe quickly nodded and said, "Alright. Don't worry. I'll take care of everything."Reginald nodded and continued, "Oh yes, keep a close eye on Celena's situation. If she's truly found guilty after the investigation, you absolutely can't show her any mercy. You have to sever ties with her immediately and kick her out of the family and the company!"Reginald looked merciless as he mentioned Celena. Then, he looked deeply into Yafe, sneered, and walked off with his walking stick and with the help of the butler.It was after Reginald left the living room that everyone got up from the ground.Sherah patted her legs which were slightly asleep and bellowed while looking furious, "That damn bitch! I told you so! We
"If Celena has been proven guilty, it'll only be beneficial for us. Celena has been taken away by the police now, so both the collaboration with the Max Group and Mr. Miller are ours now!"The Max Group's project has already been in progress, so let's leave it be for now. Mr. Miller's project has yet to start. We have to take advantage of this opportunity. This is the project worth millions!" said Yafe.Celena's smile grew wider and said, "Dad, don't worry. I'll do my best to get my hands on Mr. Miller's project! Celena? Hmph! Who the hell does she think she is? There's no telling if she's even going to be released by the police!"Yafe's smile became even more obvious and a gloating look filled his eyes. He was not worried for Celena at all.It would be reasonable to say that Yafe never treated Celena as his daughter. He resented her very much instead.Yafe nodded and said, "That's for sure. Cidda, the officer who's in charge of this case, is well-known in the state for being impa
"Besides, since you've come to me, Mr. Green, we'll do a great job. Otherwise, we'll be betraying your trust, won't we?"Don't worry. Celena is done for this time. She'll be jailed. It's impossible to have any mishaps. She can't be saved even if the president of another international country were to come."Besides, haven't you seen the news on TV and online? Do you know who's the person who detained Celena? It's Cidda Quigley, the deputy head of the state police station's Security Accident Department! He's famous for being upright, impartial, and impersonal."It's already final that this accident has happened because Celena accepted bribes and used shoddy materials. On top of that, this case is handled by Cidda. She won't ever have a chance to overturn her conviction."After Graham made the explanation, Jameson became even more delighted. Jameson got so worked up that he applauded and said, "Hahaha! Great! This is perfect! As to be expected of you, Mr. Lopez! I was right to put you
However, Andy was a smooth talker, so the eldest member of the Drayton family liked him. Because of that, the head of the family tolerated him. That was why Andy, who was just a member of the branch family, dared to be so cocky.Andy saw Howard standing at the side from the corner of his eye as he spoke. He thought of what Howard said earlier, and that made his blood boil.He pointed at Howard and bellowed, "Uncle Derrick, this Howard is trash as well. You have no idea. I told him I was a member of the Drayton family, yet he did not take our family seriously at all."Not only did he have his men capture me, but he said cockily that he wanted to lock me up forever, and nobody could stop him."Weren't you very cocky before this, Mr. Mosier? Go on. Continue acting cocky in front of my uncle now. Detain me and lock me up forever."Andy took a couple of steps closer to Howard as he said that. He extended his hands arrogantly and said, "Come on. I have my hands stretched out for you. Hu
Soon, Andy and the thugs from the nightclub yesterday were released.Andy saw Derrick standing at the entrance of the police headquarters at a glance. He got so excited that he shouted, "Uncle Derrick! Uncle Derrick!"Fletcher's subordinates were incredibly excited to see Derrick as well. All of them shouted, "Mr. Derrick Drayton!"One of the subordinates was in Drunham City because Derrick arranged for him to be there. After he was brought to Derrick's side, he smiled apologetically and said, "Thank you for saving me, sir. Don't worry. Fletcher's faction and properties are all here. I'll be able to rebuild the faction here very soon."In other words, even if Fletcher was out of the picture, he would be able to thrive in Drunham City and replace Fletcher.However, Derrick shot an icy glare at him and sneered. "Hmph! How shameless of you to say that? There are so many of you, yet you can't deal with a small loser who only married into the Stone family."If it wasn't because this w
Howard did not expect that the Drayton family would have a connection with the Carter family. They could even produce a token from the Carter family."Mr. Derrick Drayton, I didn't expect that your family and the Carters go way back. You even got the Carter family's token out," said Howard.Derrick sneered and said, "Enough with the nonsense. Howard, my family did the Carter family a favor back then, that's why the general of the Carter family gave this token to us. He promised us that we could take out this token if we were ever in a bind in the future, and they would help us!"I'm taking out this token today to tell you that I'm going to bail Andy out of here. I'd like to see who in Drunham City has the guts to stop me!"Howard was stunned, and then he fell silent.He did not think that Derrick would take out a token from the Carter family.The Carter family was the top family in Mirstone. Nobody in Mirstone would dare to go against the Carter family. Derrick became even more
Meanwhile, Derrick and his men were already at the entrance of the police headquarters.Derrick's eyes were burning with rage as he looked at the door that was shut tightly. A sneer appeared on his lips as he said, "Hmph. Looks like they already know I'm coming, so they are deliberately trying to assert dominance."Then, he asked his driver next to him, "Where are our men? Have they all arrived?"The driver nodded and said, "They're here, Mr. Derrick. They are all waiting at the side. We'll tear down the main door to the police headquarters once you give the command."Derrick nodded with satisfaction. Then, he shouted at the police headquarters, "Howard! You're just the chief of the police headquarters! How dare you lock me outside?""I'd like to see how powerful you are today, Howard! Come on, guys. Take it down!"At his command, a group of burly men rushed out of the black van next to him. They were all holding thick bats, and they rushed up to the door ferociously.Right at t
At first, Yafe and the rest of the Stone family were stunned after they heard what Liam said. Then, they all burst out laughing.Yafe looked at Liam with a mocking gaze and said, "Are you kidding me, Liam? You're going to get the Draytons to come and apologize in person? Come on, that's the Drayton family we're talking about! Do you think they are just some nobody?"Right now, I don't want to waste my breath anymore. As long as you're able to stop the Drayton family from targeting us, I'm more than grateful. Don't you forget that you're the one who wanted to leave the Stone family? So, stop dragging us into your mess."Liam shot the crowd with an icy glare and brought Celena out of the Stone Mansion.Celena was still in a slight daze after they got into the car. Liam put on her safety belt for her and asked, "What's the matter, dear? Are you still worried about the Draytons?"Celena nodded and replied, "Yes. After all, all these were caused by the conflict between Andy and us. Jus
Liam wanted to ask what the family heirloom was, but he had no choice but to let it be after he heard what Yonatan said.However, Liam heard Yonatan's voice again, saying, "I've never seen that thing, but I heard from the Drayton family members that it was from a big shot in the military."The military?Liam's eyebrows furrowed once he heard it had something to do with the military. Then, he kicked Yonatan away, making him land next to the thugs.Yonatan passed out because of that kick.Once the thugs saw their leader was out cold, they took a couple of steps back in fear.However, Liam did not care about them at all. He looked at Yafe and the others instead.Once the Stone family members saw that they were out of the woods, they became cocky again.Yafe and Sherah, in particular, were so cocky that they ran up to Liam and condemned him, "Look what you've done! You're bad luck! What else can you do other than cause us trouble? Do you know who that is? He is from the Drayton fam
Yonatan was infuriated and bellowed, "So this is how you're going to play! Alright! I'm not going to stop until I kill you today!"Yonatan was radiating an intense desire to battle. That was the air exuded by a fighter of Fourth Order War King caliber.The Stone family was so frightened by the air he exuded that their faces turned pale. All of them took more than ten steps back in fear, afraid they would be injured by mistake.Yonatan clenched his fist and charged at Liam like a ferocious beast. His fist was packing so much power that it created a sonic boom, cutting through the air and going for Liam's face.The punch was so powerful that it could kill a bull right away.The Stone family thought Liam was going to die. Nobody would be able to survive a punch like that.Yonatan thought the same. He was very confident in his ability. He looked into Liam and knew he used to be a soldier, as well as a good fighter. However, so what?No matter how skilled Liam was in combat, could he
The moment Liam stepped into view, the Stone family members lit up as if they had spotted their guardian angel. They pointed at him, their voices rising in a chorus of relief and accusation. "Mr. Yonatan, look over here! It's Liam! I said they weren't with us!""Exactly! Mr. Yonatan, see for yourself, Liam's not part of our family!""Mr. Yonatan, now that Liam's here, if you're looking to pin the blame on someone, he's your man!""Liam, you actually showed up. If you hadn't crossed the Drayton family, would we, the Stones, have ever been dragged into this mess?""Liam, Celena, you two are nothing but trouble. You've left the family, so why keep stirring the pot for us?"...The air crackled with the Stone family's collective outrage, their faces twisted in anger as if they were ready to rip Liam and Celena to shreds.Celena and Liam's arrival was pure happenstance. They were just in the neighborhood to check in on an old friend when they overheard Yonatan's boastful taunts.Lia
Yonatan did not even bother to look at him. He checked his watch with a chilling laugh and said, "You've got ten minutes for Liam to show up. Don't say I didn't warn you."The words sent a wave of shock through Yafe and the rest of the Stone family, who stared at Yonatan, panic-stricken.Yafe was a mess, desperate to explain, but the sight of Yonatan's henchmen, eager and ready for a fight, stopped him dead in his tracks."Mr. Yonatan, I swear it's the truth. Liam has nothing to do with the Stone family anymore. You've made a mistake!"Yafe's face was flushed with urgency as he tried to convince the unmoved man."It's true, Mr. Yonatan! Liam and Celena were kicked out of the Stone family ages ago.""That's right! He's got nothing to do with us anymore. If you're after Liam, go to the villa at Emerald Lake. He's there, not here with us.""Mr. Yonatan, if you head over to Drunham City and ask anyone, they'll tell you the same thing: Liam and Celena have no ties to us Stones anymor