She and Matthew walked ahead, with Sanford following a few steps behind.


    As he passed Howard, Sanford exchanged a subtle nce with him.


    Howard responded with a confident nod, and seeing this, Sanford finally rxed, his lingering concerns fading away.


    Howard personally escorted them to the door.


    Matthew, resolute in his demeanor, firmly held Stes hand and guided her to his car.


    Surprisingly, Sanford didnt put up an argument this time.


    Instead, he silently turned and got into his own vehicle.


    Inside Sanfords car, the driver turned out to be the same man who had earlier escorted Ste away.


    Sanfords expression darkened slightly.


    In a cold,manding tone, he instructed, Leave Dorburn tonight.


    Until I give further orders, do not leave Lyllmann. The man nodded respectfully.


    Yes, sir.


    Just then, Sanfords phone rang abruptly.


    ncing at the screen, he saw Dens name shing.


    He hesitated for a brief moment, took a deep breath topose himself, and then answered the call.


    Dens voice came through, sharp with anxiety and anger.


    Sanford, have you found the location of the treasure map? Sanfords tone remained calm as he replied, Neither Ste nor Be remembers anything.


    I couldnt get any information from them.


    Upon hearing this, Den erupted in fury, his voice echoing with anger.


    Sanford, have you been scheming behind my back? How could you fail to uncover anything? Sanford sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.


    Den, those were all your men. Even Howard was someone you brought in to assist with this operation, and the hypnotist? That was also your doing.


    My only role was to bring Ste and Be to the designated location.


    If you think I have the power to manipte everything behind your back, then I have nothing more to say.


    If youre still suspicious, go ahead and question Kinsey again.


    Dens frustration stemmed from his inability to extract any valuable information from Kinsey, fueling his suspicions of Sanford.


    Yet, unwilling to relinquish his pursuit of a fortune so vast, he pressed on.


    Sanford, Den demanded, when you were with Kori, did he ever mention any specific locations? There might be clues to the treasure hidden there.


    Sanford paused, as though something flickered in his memory, but he remainedposed.


    With a casual shrug, he replied, No.


    Kori was solely focused on overseeing my studies.


    He never mentioned anything else to me. Den was silent for a moment, his mind racing, before he finally instructed, Stay close to Ste and the Lowell family.


    Interrogate every member thoroughly.


    Someone among them must know where the treasure is hidden.


    Sanford nodded in acknowledgment.


    Understood.


    With that, he ended the call.


    After ending the call, he turned to the bodyguard behind the wheel andmanded firmly, Head back to Lyllmann and locate Mr.


    D.


    Tell him to begin the preparations immediately.


    In that moment, Sanford silently resolved to dismantle Dens influence, gradually erode his power, and ultimately usurp his position, iming control over everything for himself.


    Ste and Be, mindful not to disrupt Whitneys routine, had moved out of her residence and checked into a hotel before attending the event.