The next day.


    A news swept across Elmsworth and spread throughout the country like wildfire:


    Avery had officially taken over, stepping up as the CEO of Chambers Group and the Chairman of its Board of Directors, inheriting all the legacy left by Mr. Jeff Chambers.


    Five dayster, Jeff''s funeral took ce.


    Avery organized an extremely grand funeral for his father, which was no less extravagant than the Fairhaven group''s, and perhaps even morevish.


    Compared to the once struggling and crisis-ridden Fairhaven Group, the stream of peopleing to pay their respects to Jeff was endless. It spoke volumes of Jeff''s extensivework and the deep roots Chambers Group had in Elmsworth.


    More importantly-


    Over the past two years, the rtively unknown Avery had repeatedly turned the tide at the Chambers Group. It was clear evidence of his formidable leadership skills!


    Naturally, many in the business world were eager to get close to Avery, hoping to hitch a ride on the Chambers Express.


    Little did they know, this express was on a collision course with a towering iceberg, and when that happened, they would face total annihtion!


    At the headquarters


    Evadne sat in the CEO''s office, brows furrowed as she scrolled through the news about Avery on her tablet.


    At the same time, Aaron called her:


    "Evadne, I''ve revisited the crime scene twice thesest few days, but still haven''t found any clues. The person who delivered the fatal blow was too skilled and left no trace. I''m starting to think we''re dealing with an insider job!"


    Leaning forward, elbows on the table and hands supporting her head, Evadne was deep in thought.


    Insider.


    Somehow, all her suspicions pointed towards Wayne Jones.


    It wasn''t some mystical female intuition, but rather, all the evidence gathered so far suggested that out of all Avery''s associates, only he had the capability and a strong-enough motive.


    It was like a puzzle piece thrown into the darkness, seemingly insignificant; but when ced in the missing spot, it fit perfectly.


    "Evadne, if we drag it out like this, the situation doesn''t look good. If Lionel can''t provide evidence proving his innocence soon, he''ll be formally charged by the prosecution!" Aaron sounded worried.


    "We have no choice but to drag it out, as shamelessly as we must."


    Evadne took a deep breath, her voice slightly hoarse, "Aaron, these next few days, check into Warner and the Bright Group.


    Warner is one of Avery''s pharmaceutical distributors. If we can nail him for drug trafficking, we can leverage him for information on Avery''s crimes!"


    "Evadne, you know I''ve been a seasoned detective for years. You don''t need to tell me this; I''ve already had people looking into it!"


    "Thanks, Aaron."


    Evadne''s gaze hardened, "Also, keep an eye on Warner''s movements, especially his personal safety. Even if he has bodyguards around the clock."


    By mentioning Warner in front of Avery, she was ying a risky game.


    Warner''s exposure would undoubtedly put Avery on edge. Given his ruthlessness,


    he would likely look for an opportunity to silence Warner permanently. Mad dogs seem normal.


    It''s only when you poke and prod them that they reveal their true nature, snarling and snapping.


    This was the best way to expose a malefactor.


    She and Avery were not only ying the game of human nature.


    They were also racing against time.


    Just as she finished her call with Aaron, Jason knocked and entered:


    "President Ashbourne, the car''s ready. We can head to the S-Star Group anytime."


    "Right."


    Evadne nced at her watch, "Let''s grab some lunch first. Who knows, we might be in for a tough fight. Can''t do that on an empty stomach."


    "President Ashbourne, are you sure about going alone? Shouldn''t we inform Mr. Thaddeus to at least watch your back?"


    The S-Star Group, called a corporation, was actually a den of bandits!


    "I''m not alone, Aviana''s there."


    "But..."


    "Besides, Thaddeus is tied up with other matters." Evadne''s gaze was sharp, her demeanor radiating the aura of a strategic leader, "We need to split up and act separately so the S-Star Group won''t be in chaos."


    In the VIP ward of a hospitalter that afternoon.


    The once formidable Mark Griffith sat propped up against his bed, his hair grayed, receiving IV drips. He had just vomited his lunch.


    Ever since Lionel was arrested, Mark''s already weak body had been deteriorating further.


    Two days ago, Aviana came to visit him. It had been years since the father and daughterst saw each other, and neither was particrly good at expressing their feelings. They sat in silence for an hour without either of them speaking first.


    It was like a silentpetition, a kind of childishness that was both heart- wrenching and ridiculous.


    Eventually, when Lilian brought in some food, Aviana broke the silence, helping her father sit up and feeding him bite by bite.


    Thinking of how her father, who oncemanded respect and authority, had reached a point where he couldn''t even feed himself, Aviana couldn''t help but cry.


    "Mr. Mark Griffith, the youngdy loves you," Lilian, sitting beside the bed holding Mark''s withered hand, choked up with emotion.


    She had been with him for half of her life, not as the first woman in his life, but as thest.


    She had no official status; the people of the S-Star Group called her "Madam Lilian," and to Aviana, she was referred to respectfully, as "Aunt Lilian."


    "The little brat. Emeric protected her well," Mark maintained his stoic facade, but his eyes moistened, touched by the moment.


    "In one''s life, power, fame, and fortune, they are all temporary. They don''te with you when you die. So what''s the big deal? What others think is even less important."


    Lilian''s eyes sparkled with a gentle warmth as she smiled, "What matters is livingfortably, enjoying life to the fullest. You may not approve, but the youngdy is living happily and contentedly.


    Moreover, Chairman Emeric, at his age, can maintain himself like a man in his forties, handsome, wealthy, and sessful. Men like him are rare to find. The youngdy really hit the jackpot."


    "Tsk, I''m not dead yet, and you are praising another man right in front of me. Aren''t you afraid I''ll get angry?" Mark feigned irritation.


    "You''re such a grown up."


    Lilian ced his rough hand gently against her cheek, "Besides, even though Emeric is good in every way, I still prefer what I have at home-he''s with a real man''s charm."


    "Let''s get married," Mark suddenly said, his weathered features softening with rare tenderness. "If you don''t mind me being like this now."


    Lilian waspletely stunned, overwhelmed with joy and surprise, her moist eyes widening in disbelief.


    "Never mind. It''s toote." Mark chuckled bitterly, shaking his head, his voice tinged with guilt and regret. "I don''t have much time left, and you''re still young, you have a long life ahead of you.


    Let''s just forget I said anything."


    Lilian was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes. Just as she was about to respond "yes" loudly, there was a knock on the door:


    "Mr. Mark Griffith, Chairman Avery Chambers is here."


    "Who?" Mark''s brows furrowed.


    But as soon as his words fell-


    Avery stepped in, followed by Harvey, his dark eyes gleaming with an inscrutable


    smile.