Chapter 219: Don’t get too comfortable

"What does that mean?" Clara asked, but Silvia was quick to brush it off.

"Well, that was just an irrelevant thought."

Her vague response only left Clara more confused. However, she decided not to dwell on it and instead began explaining everything.

"After Dominic helped me gather the evidence against Crownwell Holdings and Kevin, I decided to track down the people they had threatened into signing those property papers. Most of them were too afraid to speak, knowing the kind of people they were dealing with. But a few were willing to come forward and help."

Clara paused before smiling confidently.

"So even though I already had enough evidence against them, I also have witnesses who can testify against them. That should be enough to keep them behind bars for years."

Gen, Silvia, and Lily stared at her in utter surprise.

"Madam, you’re seriously smart!" Lily exclaimed, giving Clara a thumbs-up. "No wonder Kevin nearly lost his mind when you mentioned the evidence."

Clara couldn’t help but scoff proudly.

"I had to do something. How could I let people who tried to take what belonged to me win by fabricating documents?"

Her expression hardened as her thoughts turned to Dorothy.

That wicked plan of forging those papers had never been enough to defeat her. And now that Dorothy had lost everything, Clara doubted she would have any way of getting Vincent out of prison.

The Hayes family had been publicly exposed, and even the truth about Clara’s birth was no longer a secret. She was an illegitimate daughter, but Vincent was hardly innocent. Despite having a wife and daughter, he had chosen to pursue another woman under the excuse of love.

Thankfully, Diana’s identity remained hidden, and Clara intended to keep it that way. At least her mother’s name and reputation were safe.

"What about your stepmother?" Gen asked. "Do you think she’ll come after you again?"

Even after being humiliated at the charity event, Dorothy had still managed to find another way to target Clara. So now that Kevin had been arrested, there was always a chance she might try something again.

"I doubt it," Clara replied calmly. "The money she planned to use to get Vincent out wasn’t legitimate. With Kevin and the owner of Crownwell Holdings under arrest, she’ll have to return what she took and face the charges against her."

Dorothy had landed herself in serious trouble, and there was little chance of recovering from it.

Vincent Hayes might have been a well-known businessman, but his methods had always been questionable. Now that his assets were being investigated and the Hayes family’s shares were falling after the news of his involvement in the attempt to harm Adrian Graham, his situation was only getting worse.

In the end, Julianna had unknowingly brought the greatest misfortune upon the Hayes family herself.

***

After handling matters with Crownwell Holdings, Dominic stepped out of the building with Mark and Toto. Mark quickly opened the car door, and the two men got inside, with Toto comfortably settled between them.

"Boss, as predicted, Hayes Enterprise is on the verge of losing everything," Mark said, glancing at the declining share prices on his phone. "Even their investors are pulling out. At this rate, they’ll barely have anything left. Soon, even the mansion could be seized."

Dominic remained calm, his expression unreadable.

"They thought I was ignoring them," he said quietly. "I was simply waiting for the right time."

Dominic had always been aware of what kind of people the Hayes family were. However, he also knew Clara had once trusted Julianna more than anyone else and had overlooked the family’s behavior because of that trust.

He had never wanted to force Clara to see the truth before she was ready.

He had simply waited for the moment when she finally saw them for what they truly were.

And now that she had, he had no reason to hold back.

Mark nodded, understanding exactly what his boss meant. However, his eyes soon shifted toward the small, fluffy creature sitting comfortably between them.

He stared at Toto for a moment before grinning.

"Well, Boss, I have to admit—you looked absolutely terrifying back there, sitting like some kind of devil with a cute little puppy on your lap."

Dominic glanced at him, and Mark quickly cleared his throat.

"Which means you and Toto are getting along pretty well."

Toto gave a happy little bark.

Dominic calmly looked away. "Don’t make assumptions."

Mark raised an eyebrow.

"Sure, Boss. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Dominic shot Mark a warning glare, and Mark immediately mimed zipping his lips.

He knew better than to tease his boss any further.

Dominic might never admit it, but having the little creature around actually made him feel good. Sure, Toto had a habit of wandering around, getting into trouble, and somehow making Dominic run errands for him.

But whenever the puppy placed its tiny paws on his leg, looked at him with those innocent eyes, and seemed to listen to every word he said, Dominic found himself strangely enjoying the company.

It was ridiculous.

He was a grown man, yet somehow a tiny puppy had managed to win him over without even trying.

A small scoff escaped his lips as he turned his attention toward the window.

Beside him, Mark continued playing with Toto, who happily pawed at his hands.

"Don’t get too comfortable," Dominic muttered, though it was unclear whether he was talking to Toto or himself.

Toto simply wagged his tail.

Mark glanced at Dominic and suppressed a laugh.

The car continued toward Heaven International while Dominic silently watched the city pass by, pretending he wasn’t paying attention to the puppy’s every little movement.

***

Meanwhile, a taxi came to a halt in front of the Hayes mansion gates, and Julianna stepped out, only to freeze when she saw people sealing off the property.

"W-What is going on here?"

Panic surged through her heart as her eyes widened in bewilderment. She stared at the mansion, unable to understand what was happening.