?Chapter 186:


    “We’re looking into the matter. Don’t worry,” Martha said, her voice like ice wrapped in silk. “No one humiliates my daughter and gets away with it. They’ll pay—with interest.”


    Just then, a timid knock interrupted the moment. A maid poked her head in, her face pale and her voice quaking. “Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Reed wants you both downstairs.”


    “Your father’s home,” Martha said softly. “Perfect timing. Let him take over from here—he’ll help you get your revenge.” She gave Thea aforting pat on the back and rose to her feet.


    Thea was desperate to track down those scoundrels—she burned with a fierce need to make them pay for what they had done. With her father’s influentialwork, she was confident she could root those vermin out quickly, no matter where they hid.


    Before long, Thea followed her mother into the living room, her heels clicking against the marble floor.


    Grant Reed, Thea’s father, looked tired, his face unusually serious. Thea noticed but didn’t think much of it, assuming he was probably mad on her behalf.


    “Dad! You’re finally back,” Thea said,tching onto his arm with a bright smile. “You have to help me teach them a lesson!”


    Grant’s jaw tightened. He was ready to shut her down, but her childlike tone made him pause. He sighed, the frustration already bubbling inside him. “Thea, I need you to be honest with me. Have you offended someone you shouldn’t have?”


    Thea blinked. “Offended someone? Me? No way. Even if I did piss someone off, it’s not like they were big potatoes. They can’t touch us—we’re the Reeds.”


    “I’m serious,” Grant said, staring at her. “Are you absolutely sure the people you messed with were just nobodies?”


    “Yes! If they were better than us, I’d either be friends with them or at least avoid causing trouble,” she said, waving it off. “Come on, Dad. I’m not dumb.”


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    Grant kept his voice calm, but his eyes narrowed. “Think harder. Is there anyone—anyone at all—you might’ve offended recently? Someone you dismissed as nobody while the reality is otherwise?”


    Thea froze for a second, scanning her memories. Then, she shook her head confidently. “No one important. Just the usual jealous losers.”


    “That’s strange,” Grant muttered under his breath, the crease in his forehead deepening. Something wasn’t right. Thepany had hit a crisis—fast and hard. Everything was falling apart overnight, and he couldn’t figure out why. And just before everything fell apart, his daughter had somehow be a target of retaliation. He couldn’t help but suspect the two events were connected, but no matter how much he investigated, he couldn’t find the culprit. That was why he came home—to find out if Thea had identally stepped on the wrong toes.


    “Dad, stop worrying about all that now! My problem is way more important. You have to help me get even!” Thea’s voice took on a whining edge as she clung to his arm.


    Grant rubbed his temples, a headache threatening behind his eyes as he regarded his most spoiled child. “Are you absolutely certain you haven’t offended anyone?”


    “NO! How many times do I have to say it?” she snapped, standing abruptly. “Will you help me or not? They humiliated me—they threw dirt on me! Do you realize how disgraceful that is? They spat right in the face of the Reed family!”


    Grant let out a long, exhausted breath before slowly getting to his feet. “You’re grounded,” he said, his voice firm. “Stay home. No arguments.”


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