Zion''s voice was stern. "You did what needed to be done. People like them don''t deserve mercy."


    Maeve knew it all too well. She had shown leniency once when James tried to kill her. And now, with Sharon and James harming Philip, their actions had made a mockery of her kindness. Zion held Maeve''s slightly trembling hand, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Trust me, everything will be okay.""


    He was usually aloof and rebellious, so his tendemess surprised Maeve. Despite his reputation as a ruthless figure, she noticed the subtle gentleness in his eyes, masked by a facade of indifference. Meanwhile, in Brooks Manor''s study room, Larry reported to Sergio, who was sitting at his desk. "It''s confirmed. James took those photos."


    Sergio watched the footage on hisputer. It showed James sneaking out of the hotel room after setting Maeve up. There was no doubt about his guilt.


    Seeing Sergio''s silence, Larry couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Brooks, today''s incident clearly had nothing to do with you. Why did you take the me? Won''t it worsen Mrs. Brooks''s opinion of you?" "It''s better for her to hate me than see me as a stranger," Sergio replied calmly. "Go to the Scott Manor and find James. I''ll handle him personally,"


    Larry hesitated. "Mr. Brooks "N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    For years, Sergio had kept his hands clean, knowing that any scandal could jeopardize his position as the head of the Brooks family.


    "Mr. Brooks, this isn''t something you should do. Let me handle it," Larry insisted.


    Sergio''s cold re silenced him. "I won''t repeat myself."


    "Understood, Mr. Brooks."


    Outside the door, Cecilia overheard the conversation and knocked nervously.


    When Larry opened the door and saw her, he frowned. "Ms. Hoffman, Mr. Brooks isn''t going to see anyone right now."


    "Sergio, I have something to tell you," Cecilia insisted, her voice soft and seemingly innocent. It was a facade that ra used to fool Sergio. It was no longer the case. He wouldn''t make the same mistake again.


    "Ms. Hoffman, let me warn you. There would only be one Mrs. Brooks. If you don''t know your ce, I don''t mind letting you disappear from this world," Sergio''s voice was cold


    Cecilia, however, gathered her courage and stepped inside. "Mrs. Brooks Senior has already acknowledged me as the future Mrs. Brooks. This is


    a fact.


    "With the rumors about you attempting to kidnap and assault Maeve spreading, we need to show a united front, even though you''ve been released today. As your future wife, I can help you through this crisis." Cecilia was confident her words would sway Sergio. After all, the Brooks family''s century-long legacy was at stake, and she couldn''t believe he''d choose a woman over that.


    Yet, Sergio''s response was unexpected. Heughed.


    "Why are youughing?" she asked, confused. "I''mughing because... Why would it be you?"


    T