Chapter 159 A Room Of Big


    Shots


    The middle-aged man leading the group strode in confidently, his jacket slightly ruffled from the brisk walk. Several individuals followed close behind him, including Waldo.


    Thanks to the swarm of sensationalist reporters, the situation had spiraled, drawing in people who had no business being involved.


    "Excuse me, please," one of the neers said.


    Matias hesitated for a split second before stepping aside to clear the way.


    The group entered, and the man at the forefront spoke in a steady, authoritative voice. "I''m here to testify on her behalf."


    Nate''s sharp gaze darkened slightly as he assessed the man who had just walked in.


    Then, his eyes flickered toward Corrine, and the faintest hint of amusement curled


    at


    the corner of his lips.


    So that was why she had been so unshaken. She had been holding a trump card


    all


    along.


    Standing to the side, Arion felt his pulse quicken as yet another powerhouse figure


    entered the scene.


    Had it not been for Corrine''s unexpected entanglement in this case, he-an ordinary police chief-would never have witnessed such a gathering of influential people in his


    lifetime.


    Snapping out of his daze, Arion wiped the dampness from his palms and hurriedly stepped forward, forcing a polite smile. "Mr. Av, what brings you here for something


    so... minor?"


    Cleavnd Av let out a low chuckle. "This is no minor issue."


    A whisper rippled through the crowd. "Who is that guy?"


    Chapter 159 A Room Of Big Shots


    "No clue, but from the way he''s dressed, he''s clearly not someone to cross."


    “Not just him. This room is filled with big shots!"


    "Let''s just sit tight and see how this ys out."


    The crowd murmured in hushed ton".


    tension. "I have the evidence you


    tones before Cleavnd''s voice cut through the


    ed"


    He gave a subtle nod to Edna Scott, who stepped forward and handed a thick brown envelope to the reporters.


    The moment they saw the red official seal stamped across it, hesitation flickered across their faces. It suddenly felt as if they were holding a scorching piece of coal.


    The reporters exchanged uneasy nces, none daring to be the first to open it, as if the contents inside were ssified secrets that couldnd them in trouble.


    Wilbur, though unfamiliar with Cleavnd, quickly grasped his significance just by observing Arion''s deferential stance. His fists clenched slightly, and he inhaled deeply.


    Now was not the time to loseposure or look like someone out of his depth. Yet, the weight of his earlier misjudgment of Corrine made his knees feel rmingly


    weak.


    Cleavnd''s gaze swept across the gathered reporters, his expression grave. “Miss Hond is not a suspect. She is a top-tier restoration specialist and a valued special consultant to our department."


    He let the statement sink in before his tone turned sharper, moremanding. “I don''t know who is behind this deliberate attempt to stir chaos, but given the gravity of the situation, rest assured-we willunch a full investigation, and those responsible will


    be held ountable."


    When the head of the cultural relic department finished speaking, a stunned silence fell over the room. Even Edna, who had been following behind, found herself momentarily speechless.


    When she first joined the department, she had heard whispers of an enigmatic expert in cultural relic appraisal and repair. The master appraiser''s keen eyes could detect thenticity in an instant. A brilliant mind who could unravel the very techniques used to forge counterfeits.


    Three years ago, this same individual had even coborated withw enforcement to


    crack a high-profile smuggling ring.


    But above all, what set this person apart was their unparalleled relic restoration skills


    an artistry so rare, it was nearly mythical.


    Legends often carried an air of mystery, and Edna had spent years specting about what this expert might look like.


    Perhaps a wise elder with silver hair, spectacles perched on the bridge of their nose, exuding meticulous precision in every movement. Or maybe a reclusive schr, someone shrouded in mystery, rarely seen but widely revered.


    Never-not even in her wildest imaginings-had she expected the expert to be a young


    woman.


    The reporters, too, were left utterly dumbfounded.


    The revtion had blindsided them, leaving their preconceived notions shattered.


    His involvement was the strongest move to silence the relentless journalists.


    This time, Corrine hadpletely flipped the script.


    Even after the broadcast ended, the buzz persisted, with heated debates lighting


    up


    online forums.


    Unexpectedly, the unforeseen continued to unfold.


    As the onlinemunity engaged in heated discussions, the website suddenly became


    inessible.


    Keywords associated with "Corrine" were unexpectedly banned.


    Everyone online quickly realized that Corrine Hond was not someone to be


    underestimated.


    Leah, seated in her vehicle, watched as the broadcast concluded, her gaze heavy with deep resentment and frustration.


    Why did sess always seem just out of reach?


    Her wellid ns had been on the brink of fruition, yet they unraveled at the most


    crucial moment.


    Anger simmered within her as she struck the steering wheel repeatedly in a fit of rage.


    At that moment, her phone began to ring.


    Leah picked up, and the caller on the line made a straightforward demand for payment. "Miss Burgess, ensure the funds are transferred on time, or we will bepelled to expose the truth."


    These maneuvers against Corrine had been orchestrated by Leah herself. Leah had never expected Corrine to take legal action against the journalists.


    In their line of work, such derations were typically mere threats, but Corrine meant


    business.


    The caller, growing impatient with Leah''s silence, issued another warning, "Miss Burgess, remember, we''re in this predicament together. If we go down, you''reing with us. Considering your ns for a return to the entertainment industry, you know


    what needs to be done."


    With that, the conversation ended as the caller disconnected.


    Overwhelmed with fury, Leah threw her phone in a moment of despair.


    This demand forpensation had nearly drained her financially.


    Despite her bitterness, Leah couldn''t confess to anyone; doing so would mean acknowledging her defeat.


    epting this bitter reality was a difficult pill to swallow.