Anneliese had grown tired of Anneliese''s relentless pursuit of her romantic interests.


    It was time to take matters into her own hands and arrange for a few men to "handle" her once and for all!


    Four years ago, Calvin and his crew had faltered, allowing Anneliese to slip away from their grasp like sand through fingers. But this time, Selina was determined; she was certain that Anneliese would not escape so easily.


    Jonathan, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by Anneliese''s past with Zacharias. Selina, however, found it impossible to believe that he could genuinely ept such a situation.


    As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Selina attempted to reach Hiroto on the phone, but her calls went unanswered. Panic began to creep into her heart as she dashed back into the dpidated factory, her voice tinged with urgency. "Dad, I can''t get in touch with Uncle Hiroto. What if something has happened to him? I need to check on him, and I''ll grab something to eat while I''m at it."


    Timothy felt a wave of dread wash over him at the thought of Hiroto being unreachable. His brow furrowed as he contemted the implications. After a moment of silence, he nodded resolutely.


    "Don''t take the car we just used. There''s another one parked in the back. Here, take this key."


    He handed Selina a key, and she epted it with a determined nod before making her way out. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back, her gaze piercing as she shot Anneliese a cold, calcted smile. The expression sent a shiver down Anneliese''s spine, a sensation akin to being coated in ayer of ice.


    "I found your real daughter. Her name is Sylvia..."


    As soon as the sound of Selina''s car faded into the distance, Anneliese seized the opportunity to steer the conversation toward a topic she knew would pique Timothy''s interest.


    “Really? How''s she been all these years?" Timothy responded, his eyes lighting up with curiosity.


    Despite never having met Sylvia, a flicker of guilt ignited within him, a reminder of the daughter he had lost.


    Anneliese, observing the shift in his demeanor, sensed a vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior. He was not as impervious as he pretended to be. Unlike Selina, whose animosity was practically etched into her features, Timothy''s emotions were moreplex.


    She began to recount Sylvia''s story, detailing how she had taken the initiative to pass Gloria''s inheritance on to her.


    Timothy''s expression morphed into one of confusion and contemtion, and after a lengthy pause, he let out a heavy sigh. "It''s probably for the best if she doesn''t want anything to do with us..."


    The knowledge that Sylvia was thriving brought a measure of relief to Timothy''s conscience. After all, she was his flesh and blood. He turned his gaze toward Anneliese, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice. "You''re really generous."


    That Maple Bay apartment was a gem, spacious and situated in an enviable location -it could easily fetch over ten million if sold. Yet,


    Anneliese had simply signed it over to Sylvia, taking the initiative to track her down herself.


    Timothy''s mind wandered back to the time after his release from prison, when he discovered that the White family fortune had already been divided and stripped bare.


    Mnie and her children had turned their backs on him, refusing to part with even a few hundred dors, let alone wee him back into their home.


    Selina, at least, still recognized him as her father, but she clung tightly to everything she possessed, which only deepened Timothy''s bitterness.


    Anneliese, noticing the turmoil on his face, decided to press on. "Mr. White, are you aware that Calvin is dead?"


    Timothy froze, his head snapping up to meet her gaze, shock etched across his features.


    Anneliese could see the truth dawning on him; he genuinely hadn''t known. Her confidence surged as she feigned surprise. "So, it wasn''t you who killed Calvin for Selina."


    "Of course it wasn''t me!" Timothy retorted vehemently.


    He wasn''t deranged. Even though he cared for Selina, he would never resort to murder for her sake.


    Anneliese pressed her lips together, contemting her next words. "Then it must have been Selina and Hiroto. Selina bribed Calvin and three others to take me out. Later, to cover her tracks, she had Calvin killed."


    "My husband has proof that Selina orchestrated Calvin''s murder. She can''t escape the consequences. That''s why she''s desperate, why she kidnapped me and is tormenting me."


    "Mr. White, I don''t understand why you would align yourself with her in this chaos."


    Anneliese shook her head, concern etched on her brow.


    "She''s withholding information about Calvin''s death because she intends to manipte you, Mr. White. She''s dragging you deeper into this quagmire.”


    "Mr. White, we were once family. You may not have cared much for me, but I haven''t forgotten the kindness you showed when you paid two hundred thousand for my grandmother''s medical bills. I''m telling you, before this spiralspletely out of control, there''s still a way out for you..."


    "Enough! Don''t say another word. It''s toote!"


    Timothy erupted, hisposure fracturing as he leaped to his feet, his voice a thunderous roar.


    Anneliese saw the flicker of anger in him and seized the moment, her voice urgent. "It''s not toote! Selina is on the run because shemitted murder. You''ve never trafficked children or taken a life. Why risk everything by keeping me hostage?"


    "If you let me go now, I swear, on the kindness you once showed me, I will pretend none of this ever happened. I can even help you financially."


    "With your capabilities, Mr. White, you could always start anew."