Upon hearing this, Avery adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, a chill smile curling at the corner of his lips, "Any traces left behind?"


    "Every crime leaves a trace. But without witnesses, it''s as if there are no traces," Director-General Wayne replied with a charming smile. "Mr. Chambers, don''t you trust me? I am a professional."


    A criminalmitting crime was frightening enough.


    But what was even more terrifying was that the perpetrator was a seasoned police officer with extensive experience and high professionalpetence.


    "Great, thank you for your hard work."


    Avery temporarily forgot the frustration caused by his wounds, his smile growing broader, "With Director-General Wayne handling things so reliably, I won''t let you down once I seeded."


    "You are too kind, sir. As long as the new drug is sessfully developed, I am willing to do anything," Wayne replied earnestly.


    "It will be, You have to believe in our ''Mr. Impossible.""


    After the call ended, Avery''s gaze turned dark and brooding as he stared at the ck screen, silently smirking, "Incredible."


    Harvey, with admiration, said, "To think a high-ranking official would willingly submit to you, ready toy down his life. It truly shows your charismatic leadership!"


    "It''s not my charisma, it''s the allure of the new drug."


    Avery looked out towards the stormy skies, his eyes shadowy andplex, "Not just him, I too am waiting for that day toe."


    Thinking of the data reports he had sent to M Country, a spark of hope flickered in his heart, "It shouldn''t be too far off now."


    Just then, another call came in.


    It was from Jeff Chambers'' chief secretary.


    Avery''s gaze hardened, he adjusted his Windsor knot and answered the phone in a measured tone, "What is it?"


    "Mr. Chambers, the chairmanmands your presence at the corporation this afternoon."


    "Does it have to be today?" Avery asked, his tone annoyed and disdainful.


    "It has to be today. That''s an order from the chairman."


    Without waiting for a reply, the secretary coldly hung up.


    "He''s nothing but a dog with a powerful master! How dare he be so disrespectful!" Harvey fumed, clenching his fists.


    "You said it yourself, they''re but dogs. If they bite me, would I bite back?" Avery''s voice was icy cold, his eyes shadowy, "It seems my father has prepared a ''gift'' for me, his most favored son."


    When Lionel got into trouble, Mark, head of S-Star Group, spared no expense in hiring the topwyers in the country to defend his godson, but the outlook was bleak.


    Moreover, the media had sensationalized the case, demonizing Lionel to the fullest extent, portraying him as a remorseless murderer and a devil incarnate. The defamation was one thing, but the entire S-Star Group suffered immensely.


    Over the years, Mark had painstakingly legitimized his business, and now it seemed all his efforts were on the verge of copsing overnight.


    After visiting Lionel, thewyer met with Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy, his expression troubled, “The autopsy report states that the victim died from a severe blow to the head that fractured his skull. However, Mr. Griffith insists he never touched the victim''s head; he only punched him a few times in the face and kicked him in the stomach, never striking as severely as alleged. There''s a significant discrepancy between reality and Mr. Griffith''s ount. With no cameras at one end of the alley and no witnesses, all evidence currently points against him. Given the media uproar, even if it was a manughter due to loss of control, the sentence could still be severe, especially since Mr. Griffith has a prior record."


    "Did Lionel say why he resorted to violence?" asked Evadne, her beautiful face tense.


    "Mr. Griffith did it because his people were dealing drugs. He said you''d understand the implications once you heard it''s about drugs."


    Drugs, again! The root of all evils!


    If not eradicated, the whole town of Elmsworth would be thrown into chaos!


    "Now, these drugs have infiltrated S-Star Grouppletely."


    "If Lionel goes down and no one is there to stabilize the situation, the entire S-Star Group could fall under drug control in no time." Thaddeus, his dark eyes brooding, voiced his suspicion, "I suspect those targeting Lionel intend to take control of S- Star Group by infiltrating it. Lionel''s presence is a significant obstacle, hence the ruthless framing."


    Evadne inhaled sharply, feeling suffocated, "If that''s the case, then Mr. Lionel Griffith''s position is indeed perilous!


    With Lionel arrested, and Mr. Mark Griffith having only Aviana as his daughter, S- Star Group is in chaos. Aviana, despite her reluctance, might have to step in to stabilize the situation."


    Thaddeus spoke gravely, "I advise against Aviana stepping forward now. Whoever does will be a target. Regarding those so-called veterans of S-Star Group, I had Gordon investigate them privately in the past few days; not one of them is good. Although Aviana is Mr. Mark Griffith''s daughter, she has long severed ties with S-Star Group and is unfamiliar with its current state. If she goes, she might be bullied."


    "Who dares bully my Aviana?!"


    Evadne''s eyes shed fiercely, an aura of menace surrounding her, "Behind Aviana is the Ashbourne family! If they try to touch Aviana, I''ll tear them apart!"


    Thewyer stood dumbfounded, trembling slightly.


    Good heavens, this noble heiress had a fiercer aura than a bandit queen!


    Thaddeus gently embraced the furious Evadne, affection spreading in his eyes, "Evadne, I know this involves your family, and it''s hard for you to stay calm. But think about it. Right now, the public is denouncing S-Star Group, and if Aviana steps in now, those with an agenda can easily shift the me onto the Ashbournes."


    Evadne pressed her lips firmly together, her gaze sharp and intense:


    "We''re family, and in times like these, we stick together,e hell or high water. We can''t just sit this one out!"


    "But have you considered how Aviana might feel about all this?" Thaddeus sighed softly, stroking her silky hair, "She chose to stand by her uncle, severing ties with her own father. What do you think drove her to that? Wasn''t it to prevent S-Star Group''s troubles from affecting the Ashbourne family?


    If the Ashbourne family is to be affected, the guilt will torment her for life."


    Just as Evadne felt at a loss, Jason Dempsey knocked and entered: "President Ashbourne, I''vepleted the research you requested."