?Chapter 188:


    Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock. “What? That’s impossible! How could you know?”


    Elena took a slow sip of coffee before speaking casually. “I came here to tell you something—pass a message to the Reed family…”


    Sylvia, unwilling to believe Elena’s im, subtly typed a message to Cecily under the table, instructing her to confirm She’s presence. Elena, fully aware of the discreet action, remained unbothered. She was already safe—Lydia had taken care of everything.


    Elena’s voice carried a calm warning. “Losing that contract must sting. Consider it a lesson from me. If you ever darey a hand on She again, I’ll make sure you face the consequences.”


    “That was your doing?” Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Elena. Elena’s words revealed that the abrupt cancetion of contracts by the Reed family’s business associates wasn’t just bad luck—Elena had been pulling the strings all along.


    But Sylvia quickly dismissed the idea. Elena had never been part of the Reed family’spany. How could she possibly know those partners, let alone persuade them to cut ties?


    “Where did you hear such absurd ims? You think you have the power to make those business partners walk away from their agreements? Elena, stop spreading nonsense!” Sylvia maintained aposed expression, but inside, unease gnawed at her. Terminating contracts meant serious financial losses. Yet those partners had willingly epted the damage just to distance themselves. That alone was deeply troubling.


    At first, Sylvia and Benjamin had assumed it was fallout from the Griffiths family’s problems. Even though the Griffiths had angered the Spencer and Johnson families, the Reed family could have simply distanced themselves by dissolving the engagement.


    But those partners hadn’t even sought rification before cutting all ties. It didn’t seem like fear of association. Sylvia couldn’t help but wonder if Elena had truly orchestrated the entire affair.


    Still, Sylvia preferred to believe the partners were avoiding trouble rather than ept Elena’s maniption.


    Just as Sylvia was about to speak, her phone rang. She nced at the screen—Cecily’s name appeared.


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    Without hesitation, Sylvia answered. Whatever was said drained the color from her face.


    When the call ended, Sylvia looked at Elena, stunned.


    Elena’s lips curved into a smirk. “I have She with me. If you doubt it, feel free to check.”


    With that, Elena turned and walked out of the café.


    A shiver ran down Sylvia’s spine, her face turning ghostly pale. Elena was no longer the naive outsider the Reed family could manipte at will.


    Out of the café, Elena hopped onto her motorcycle and sped toward She’s ce. She had been in such a rush earlier that she grabbed the dusty racing bike without a second thought.


    As Elena weaved through traffic, her tall, slender figure astride the sleek machine caught more than a few eyes.


    With her helmet securely fastened, Elena kept her focus ahead, tuning out the cheers from onlookers.


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