Detective Kevin North stood before Diana Grandelle, his face expressionless as he flashed his police badge.

Diana's face turned deathly pale as she staggered backward.

"Mrs. Grandelle, the evidence is irrefutable. Please cooperate with our investigation."

"No! This must be a mistake!" Diana shrieked hysterically.

Kevin smirked coldly and retrieved a voice recorder from his briefcase.

The trembling voice of a janitor echoed from the device: "...Mrs. Grandelle's driver paid me to cut the surveillance power line..."

Diana's legs gave way, nearly collapsing to her knees.

Her meticulously crafted scheme had been ruined by a lowly janitor.

Isabella Valentine rushed forward to embrace her. "Grandma!"

Diana mechanically pushed her granddaughter away and stumbled toward the police car.

Suddenly remembering something, she whirled around to look at the second-floor window.

Vincent Grandelle stood there, his gaze icy.

The wail of sirens faded into the distance.

Isabella ran sobbing into the mansion and threw herself at Vincent's feet. "Grandfather! You must save Grandma!"

Vincent turned slowly.

"She made her bed. Now she must lie in it."

"But she's your wife!"

"Not since the moment she harmed my apprentice."

Isabella collapsed to the floor in despair.

VIP Ward, Hospital.

Sophia Laurent lay receiving IV fluids, her face as pale as parchment.

Vincent entered carrying nutritional supplements. Seeing his apprentice's condition, tears streamed down his weathered face.

"Master..." Sophia attempted to sit up.

"Stay still." Vincent gently restrained her. "I've failed you."

Ethan Sullivan stood by the window, his eyes sharp.

"Old man, some mistakes can be forgiven. Others cannot."

When Vincent shuffled out, his hunched posture made him appear a decade older.

Natalie Sullivan burst into the room like a whirlwind.

"Sis!" She embraced Sophia fiercely. "That wicked hag deserves to rot in jail!"

Sophia managed a weak smile. "What brings you here?"

"Ethan sent me to keep you company." Natalie winked. "And also..."

She mysteriously pulled out her phone and sent a text.

Ten minutes later.

The door to the surgical ward flew open.

Isabella was taking selfies in the mirror, preparing to send them to Victor Sullivan for sympathy.

"Natalie?" She dropped her phone in surprise.

Natalie beamed sweetly. "Isabella, I brought you a gift."

A driver stepped forward with an exquisite gift box.

Isabella tore open the packaging eagerly—

A bucket of black paint cascaded over her head!

"Ahhh—" Her scream echoed down the hallway.

Natalie planted her hands on her hips. "Try harming my nephew again! This is your punishment!"

Paint dripped from Isabella's hair, making her resemble a tar monster.

"I'll tell Uncle Victor!" Isabella wailed.

"Go ahead." Natalie tossed her ponytail. "See if he'll believe his own daughter or a scheming little—"

She strode out without finishing.

Passing the nurse's station, she casually stuffed a wad of bills into the donation box.

"Get that Miss Valentine some makeup remover. The industrial-strength kind."