Chapter 215: Who said I am here empty-handed?

Silvia, Gen, and Lily immediately turned toward the familiar voice. The moment they spotted Clara, their eyes lit up with delight.

"Madam! You’re finally here!"

Without another thought, all three rushed toward her like children who had been waiting for their mother to rescue them from a group of bullies.

Clara barely had time to react before Lily grabbed her arm.

"Madam! You have no idea what we’ve been through!"

Clara glanced at the three women before looking toward the bulldozer parked outside her bakery.

She had arrived later than expected that morning, only to discover that Kevin and his men were already preparing to demolish the place.

However, the bakery was the least of her concerns at that moment.

Her first priority was making sure the girls were unharmed.

"Are you three alright?" she asked worriedly, examining them from head to toe. "Did anyone hurt you?"

"We’re fine, Madam!" Gen replied, although her aggrieved expression suggested otherwise.

"Fine?" Lily exclaimed. "We were practically fighting for our lives!"

Silvia rolled her eyes.

"Stop exaggerating. Nobody was fighting for their life."

"Excuse me! Those men were twice our size!"

Clara frowned. "What men?"

Gen quickly intervened. "Madam, we’ll explain everything later. But where have you been? We tried calling you so many times, and your phone was unreachable!"

She sounded like a child complaining to her mother after being bullied at school.

Clara sighed, feeling guilty for making them worry.

"I’m sorry. Something important came up, and I couldn’t get here any sooner."

Lily immediately pouted. "Do you know how many years I’ve aged waiting for you?"

Silvia gave her a sideways glance. "Judging by your behavior, not even a day."

"Silvia!"

Despite the situation, Clara couldn’t help smiling at their familiar bickering. She gently squeezed Gen’s hand before looking at the other two.

"Thank you for protecting the bakery. I’m relieved you’re all safe."

Her expression then turned serious. "I’ll explain everything later. For now, let me deal with these people."

The three women blinked at her.

"Madam, are you sure?" Gen asked anxiously.

Clara nodded confidently. "Don’t worry. I know exactly what I’m doing."

Lily exchanged a glance with Silvia before stepping aside. "Alright, Madam. But if you need backup, just say the word!"

Silvia folded her arms. "Preferably before she starts throwing flour again."

Clara raised an eyebrow but decided not to ask. Instead, she walked past them and stopped directly in front of Kevin.

Her earlier warmth vanished, replaced by an icy expression.

"Now, Mr. Kevin," she began calmly, "would you care to explain why you’re trying to demolish my bakery?"

Kevin studied the woman standing before him before letting out a humorless chuckle.

"Miss Clara, perhaps you’ve forgotten our previous conversation. Allow me to remind you that this bakery now stands on land legally owned by Crownwell Holdings."

He straightened his jacket, maintaining his professional demeanor.

"And if you still believe this property belongs to you, I suggest you examine the documents I handed to your employees. Everything is clearly stated there."

His tone remained polite, but the arrogance beneath his words was unmistakable.

Kevin was confident that Clara couldn’t possibly challenge the documents. After all, he had personally ensured that every detail appeared legitimate.

However, Clara’s reaction was nothing like he had expected.

"Is that so?" she asked calmly.

The smug smile on Kevin’s face faltered.

He had expected her to panic, argue, or perhaps even beg him to reconsider. Instead, she stood before him with an unreadable expression, seemingly unaffected by his threats.

"Yes, Miss Clara," he replied, clearing his throat. "I’m afraid there’s nothing more to discuss."

Clara tilted her head slightly.

"Nothing more to discuss? How interesting."

Kevin’s brows furrowed.

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Well, Mr. Kevin, you seem awfully confident about those documents."

"Of course I am. They’re legally binding."

Clara smiled faintly.

"Then I suppose you wouldn’t mind if I had someone examine them."

For a brief moment, Kevin’s expression stiffened.

"You’re welcome to consult whoever you like. It won’t change anything."

"Wonderful," Clara replied pleasantly. "I’m glad we’re in agreement."

Behind her, Lily leaned toward Silvia.

"Why do I feel like Madam is about to do something terrifying?"

Silvia watched Clara’s unusually calm expression.

"Because she only smiles like that when someone’s about to regret their life choices."

Meanwhile, Kevin struggled to maintain his composure.

Clara’s confidence was beginning to unsettle him.

And for the first time that morning, he wondered whether he had seriously underestimated her.

There’s no way she could’ve found anything, Kevin reassured himself.

He had been in this business for years, and forging property documents was hardly unfamiliar territory. As Crownwell Holdings’ legal representative, he had discreetly manipulated countless transactions, ensuring that every fraudulent document appeared perfectly legitimate.

His expertise had earned him the CEO’s trust, along with considerable influence within the company.

More importantly, he had never been caught.

Does she seriously think she can expose me? How ridiculous!

Kevin straightened his shoulders, regaining his earlier confidence.

"Miss Clara, I understand that this property holds sentimental value for you. However, emotions won’t change the law."

Clara raised an eyebrow.

"How thoughtful of you to remind me."

Kevin frowned at her sarcastic response but continued.

"I suggest you cooperate instead of creating unnecessary trouble. Otherwise, Crownwell Holdings will have no choice but to take further legal action."

"Legal action?" Clara repeated, looking genuinely amused.

"Precisely."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"Then I suppose we should let the law decide who actually owns this property."

Kevin’s smile stiffened.

"That’s exactly what I’ve been telling you."

"Wonderful! Then we finally agree on something."

Clara’s cheerful response left him momentarily speechless.

Behind her, Lily exchanged a confused glance with Silvia and Gen.

"Why does Madam look so happy?" she whispered.

Gen shrugged.

"Maybe she found something we don’t know about."

Silvia narrowed her eyes at Kevin.

"Whatever it is, I hope it wipes that irritating smile off his face."

Meanwhile, Kevin studied Clara suspiciously.

Something about her composure bothered him. She hadn’t even asked to examine the documents, yet she spoke as though she already knew their contents.

Impossible. I’ve covered every loophole.

He quickly dismissed his uneasiness.

"Miss Clara, unless you have something substantial to present, I suggest you step aside and let us proceed."

Clara’s smile widened.

"Oh, Mr. Kevin. Who said I came here empty-handed?"