Chapter 211: Incredibly handsome gentlemen

While the men were busy destroying everything inside the bakery, two figures stood at a distance, quietly watching the chaos unfold.

"Did you tell them to destroy everything?" Dorothy asked, turning toward Kevin. "I don’t want them leaving anything behind that could be used as evidence."

Kevin watched the bakery with narrowed eyes.

"Don’t worry, Mrs. Hayes. They won’t even spare the security cameras. Without the footage, Clara won’t have any proof against us."

Dorothy smiled in satisfaction.

After Clara refused her ultimatum, Dorothy had decided to use Kevin to teach her a lesson.

As Crownwell Holdings’ legal representative, Kevin had spent years helping the company’s CEO acquire properties illegally. Forging ownership documents and exploiting vulnerable landowners had become second nature to him.

When Dorothy approached him with the documents belonging to Clara’s grandparents, he immediately recognized an opportunity.

The property had been purchased years ago with their hard-earned money. Clara had since transformed it into a successful bakery, fulfilling her late mother Diana’s dream.

However, none of that mattered to Dorothy.

With Hayes Enterprises’ accounts frozen, she desperately needed money to hire a lawyer who could secure Vincent’s release on bail.

With Kevin’s assistance, she had forged the ownership documents, transferred the property into her name, and sold it to Crownwell Holdings.

Now, she intended to force Clara out.

"Make sure they finish everything before the police arrive," Dorothy instructed.

Kevin smirked. "Leave it to me."

Dorothy returned her attention to the bakery, her expression hardening.

She had spent years enjoying the wealth and respect that came with being Vincent Hayes’s wife. The thought of losing her status and becoming an object of pity was unbearable.

And she certainly wouldn’t allow Clara to be the reason for her downfall.

"You should’ve accepted my offer, Clara," she muttered bitterly.

A cruel smile spread across her lips.

"Now you’ll learn what happens when you dare to challenge me."

Dorothy was confident that Kevin could handle everything without Dominic getting even the slightest hint of what was happening. With Clara’s bakery being torn apart, she was certain her troublesome stepdaughter would finally have no choice but to surrender.

A smug smile spread across her lips as she put her sunglasses back on and watched the destruction unfold.

***

Meanwhile, inside the bakery, Lily and Gen watched the men with growing anxiety.

Silvia, on the other hand, looked ready to explode.

"This is not happening," she muttered through gritted teeth.

Lily immediately turned toward her.

"Silvia, what are you planning? Don’t even think about fighting them! Those men are twice our size!"

Silvia clenched her fists.

"So we’re supposed to stand here and watch them destroy everything?"

"Of course not!" Lily exclaimed. "But unless you’ve secretly developed superhuman strength overnight, fighting them is out of the question!"

Gen quickly stepped between them.

"Girls, arguing isn’t going to help."

Lily nodded before turning toward her.

"Gen, call Madam! Tell her what’s happening!"

Gen immediately fished her phone out of her pocket and dialed Clara’s number.

Unfortunately, the call wouldn’t connect.

"The number you’re trying to reach is currently out of coverage."

"Shit!" Gen cursed before trying again.

The result was the same.

Lily noticed her anxious expression.

"What happened?"

"I can’t reach Madam. Her phone’s out of coverage."

Lily pursed her lips.

"Then let’s call Master! I’m sure he’ll send someone immediately."

"No!" Silvia interrupted.

Both women turned toward her in confusion.

"What do you mean, no?" Lily demanded. "At this rate, we won’t have a bakery left!"

Silvia folded her arms.

"Have you forgotten what Madam said? We shouldn’t disturb Master when he’s busy making billions!"

Lily stared at her.

"Silvia, they’re destroying our bakery!"

"And Madam wants to become equally rich so her husband won’t have to work so hard!"

Gen nodded thoughtfully.

"She’s right. You know how determined Madam is to make enough money so Master can finally relax."

Lily looked between them in disbelief.

"Are you two seriously discussing their retirement plans while our furniture is being smashed?"

Another loud crash echoed through the bakery.

All three women flinched.

Silvia glanced at the shattered display case.

"Well, when you put it that way..."

Lily threw her hands into the air.

"Besides, he’s already a billionaire! I’m sure missing five minutes of work won’t send him into bankruptcy!"

Gen hesitated.

"But what if Madam gets upset that we disturbed him?"

Lily opened her mouth, then reluctantly closed it.

Knowing Clara, that was entirely possible.

She might be married to one of the wealthiest men in the country, but she was fiercely determined to build her own fortune.

"Fine!" Lily groaned. "Then what are we supposed to do? Ask these men to sit down and enjoy some complimentary pastries?"

Silvia’s eyes suddenly brightened.

"Actually, I have a better idea."

Lily immediately grew suspicious.

"Why do I feel like I’m about to regret hearing it?"

Silvia reached for the rolling pin resting on the counter.

Gen quickly grabbed her wrist. "Absolutely not!"

"What? I was just going to scare them!"

"With a rolling pin?"

Silvia shrugged. "It’s the only weapon I have!"

Lily rubbed her forehead helplessly.

"We fight flour, knead dough, and occasionally burn our fingers. These men are definitely not our cup of tea!"

Gen and Silvia stared at Lily for a moment before nodding thoughtfully.

"Right," they agreed in unison.

Lily nearly rolled her eyes. Wonderful! Now they finally agree with me!

Ignoring their ridiculous expressions, she began nervously biting her nails, desperately trying to come up with a solution.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. "Wait! I’ve got it!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

Gen and Silvia immediately turned toward her.

"What?" Gen asked suspiciously.

Lily glanced at the men, who were still busy destroying the bakery, before motioning for her friends to come closer.

"Come here. I have a plan."

Silvia narrowed her eyes. "Please tell me it doesn’t involve begging them to leave."

"Of course not!" Lily whispered indignantly. "Do I look that stupid?"

Neither woman answered. Lily stared at them. "Seriously?"

"Just tell us your plan!" Gen urged.

Lily quickly pulled them closer and began whispering into their ears.

At first, Gen looked doubtful, while Silvia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. But as Lily continued explaining, mischievous smiles slowly spread across their faces.

Silvia grinned. "Oh, I like this!"

Gen nodded. "If we do it properly, it might actually work."

Lily smirked triumphantly. "Ladies, it’s time to teach these idiots a lesson!"

***

The men, who had been busy destroying the bakery and intimidating the three women, suddenly noticed something strange.

The girls had gone completely silent.

"Boss, why aren’t they screaming anymore?" one of the men asked, glancing suspiciously toward the counter.

Their leader paused, a broken chair still in his hand.

"What?"

"Those three. They were arguing with us a minute ago, but now they’re whispering among themselves."

The leader turned toward Lily, Gen, and Silvia, who were huddled together in a corner.

Kevin had hired them to frighten the women into abandoning the property. Their instructions were simple: destroy enough furniture to make the threat convincing and ensure the girls never dared to challenge Crownwell Holdings again.

They had already smashed the security cameras, just as Kevin had instructed. Without any footage, he had assured them there would be no evidence linking him to the destruction.

Everything had been going according to plan.

Until now.

"Maybe they’ve finally realized they can’t fight us," another man suggested with a smug grin.

"Then why are they smiling?" the first man muttered.

The leader narrowed his eyes.

Sure enough, Lily had stopped looking frightened. Instead, she was whispering something into Gen’s ear while Silvia nodded enthusiastically.

Something about their sudden change in behavior made him uneasy.

"Hey! What are you three plotting?" he barked.

Lily immediately straightened and flashed him an innocent smile.

"Plotting? Us? Of course not!"

Silvia nodded solemnly. "We were just discussing how incredibly handsome you gentlemen are."

Gen nearly choked.

The men exchanged confused glances.

Their leader’s expression darkened.

"Are you making fun of us?"

"Absolutely not!" Lily exclaimed. "We wouldn’t dare!"

She then leaned toward Silvia and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"See? I told you he wouldn’t mind appreciating a compliment."

The leader clenched his jaw.

"Enough! Whatever you’re planning, forget it!"

Lily merely smiled.

"Oh, don’t worry. We’re just getting started."

The leader stared at Lily’s suspiciously cheerful face.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing!" Lily replied sweetly. "Actually, since you gentlemen have worked so hard destroying our bakery, wouldn’t you like something to drink?"

Silvia turned toward her with an exaggerated smile.

"Of course! We should at least offer them some refreshments before they destroy the rest of our livelihood."

Gen pressed her lips together to suppress a laugh.

The leader frowned.

"Do you think we’re idiots?"

Lily tilted her head. "Would you like me to answer that honestly?"

"Lily!" Gen hissed.

"What? He asked!"

The man’s face turned red with anger. He took a threatening step forward, but Lily immediately raised both hands.

"Fine! No refreshments! Goodness, some people really don’t appreciate hospitality."

While Lily kept the men distracted, Gen discreetly slipped behind the counter.