And in this whole affair, the biggest winners were undoubtedly Mr. and Mrs. Woods.


    They had already given up on Sandra, who had proven herself to be selfish and foolish time and again.


    But now, this unexpected turn of events gave them the perfect opportunity to extort arge sum of money from Lionel-money they could keep all to themselves.


    “Lionel, please take us to this so-called basement now. We need to see the victim. If you would lead the way."


    A police officer who had been listening to them interjected. They needed to resolve this matter quickly and couldn''t afford any more dys.


    Lionel stood frozen for a long moment before finally speaking. “I don''t know what you''re talking about. I haven''t imprisoned anyone."


    He decided to deny everything.


    "Tell me who called you. I want to ask them what proof they have to use me."


    "The identity of the caller is confidential. The caller stated they have conclusive evidence. Please, lead us there immediately. Don''t prolong this."


    From their conversation alone, it was clear that the usation was true. Anything Lionel said now was just a weak, futile attempt to argue.


    But he still wanted to take a gamble.


    On the way here, he had called his most trusted servant and told him to move Sandra immediately.


    As long as they didn''t find Sandra in that basement, the caller would be guilty of filing a false report, and he would make them pay.


    His biggest fear now was that Quennel had somehow intercepted his call and stopped the servant.


    If Sandra hadn''t been moved, that phone call would have been pointless.


    "Lionel, stop stalling. Officers, I''ll take you. There''s only one basement in our house. She must be held there."


    Quennel stood up and prepared to lead the police to the old mansion''s basement.


    Seeing this, Lionel quickly grabbed his arm, pulled him aside, and hissed through clenched teeth, "Are you out of your mind? Taking the police there now will destroy me and the family! Were brothers, for crying out loud! How could you do this?"


    "And when you locked her in the basement, were you thinking about the family then?"


    Coming from him, the words were utterlyughable to Quennel.


    "Now that you''re in trouble, you suddenly care about the family? If you truly gave a damn about the Rosenbergs, you never would have done so many despicable things. If you had just divorced Hannah from the start, none of this would have happened Lionel, don''t you dare mention the family now. Anyone can, but not you!"


    Quennel violently shook his hand off and led the officers toward the old mansion.


    Lionel stood there, stunned, watching them walk away. His heart hammered against his ribs, feeling as if it might burst out of his chest.


    Did Quennel dare to lead the police there because Sandra had already been moved, so he had nothing to fear?


    This was different from their previous squabbles. If he really led the police there and


    they found Sandra, it would confirm the kidnapping charges.


    He would face prison, and the


    Rosenberg name would be disgraced. Lionel and his mother cared deeply about their family''s reputation, surely they wouldnt something so foolish.


    do


    Besides, he had already called the servant. They must have known and moved her by now.