Chapter 371

Inside the shadowed study of Kirk Villa, Sherwood lounged behind an imposing mahogany desk, its surface gleaming with intricate carvings that caught the dim light. A slender pen twirled between his fingers, clicking softly against his palm. His gaze,however, was anything but idle-cold, sharp, and carrying a sinister weight.

The door creaked open, and Aiken stepped inside with a measured bow. A glint of pride lingered on his otherwise composed face.

"Sir," he began, his voice low, colored with faint amusement. "It's done. I managed to buy off one of Luis' men-a fellow by the name Rowland Green."

The pen stilled mid-spin. Sherwood's eyes lifted,glinting like steel, his silence prompting Aiken to elaborate.

"Rowland's an orphan," Aiken went on, licking his drying lips nervously. "He's been living with his grandparents. So, I had them quietly taken away. As expected, the young man panicked. With his grandparents in our grip, he bent to our will immediately."

Sherwood's mouth curled into a cruel smile. "Humph.People with soft spots are the easiest to break."

He set the pen aside, leaned forward, and laced his fingers together.atop the desk. "But tell me-can he be trusted? How deep is his reach into Luis' circle?"

"Quite far, sir," Aiken said quickly, eager to prove his worth. "I've checked thoroughly. Rowland oversees the movement of goods for Luis. Not the core inner circle, but close enough. With him in hand, slipping anything into Luis' territory will be effortless."

A glimmer of satisfaction crossed Sherwood's eyes as he sank back into his leather chair. "Good. Very good.But keep him on a short leash. And remember-his grandparents are our leash. If anything goes awry,you'll pay the price."

The butler dipped his head swiftly. "Yes, sir. I'll see to it personally."

Sherwood gave a curt nod. "That will be all."

"Yes, sir." Bowing once more, Aiken retreated, the door closing with a muted click.

The study fell silent again.

Sherwood exhaled slowly, slouching into the embrace of his chair. His hand slipped into his jacket, rough fingers fishing out his phone.

The device glowed against the dim room as he tapped in a number with practiced precision.

Meanwhile,Molly was ascending the stairs, her steps light, a plate of jewel-toned fruit balanced in her hands. Dressed casually, she radiated a softness that seemed out of place in the brooding house.

At the landing, she nearly collided with Aiken.

He bowed swiftly, plastering on a respectful smile."Miss Kirk."

Molly returned his smile with a gentle one of her own."Aiken, finished with your duties already?"

Her gaze drifted past him, lingering on the closed door at the far end of the corridor. "Is my father still working?"

Aiken dipped his head, his voice cautious. "Yes. He's still occupied with important matters."

Her brow furrowed faintly, but the tension passed as quickly as it came. "I see. I'll take him some fruit-he should rest a little."

"How thoughtful." Aiken stepped aside to make way seizing the chance to flatter. "Mr. Kirk hardly spares himself rest. Having a daughter like you is truly his blessing."

Molly's lips curved into a modest smile. "It's nothing more than my duty."

With graceful ease, she stepped around him and continued upward.

At the study door, she paused, balancing the plate in one hand as she rapped lightly on the wood.

No answer. A doubting small crease formed on her brow, but she pressed her palm against the knob and turned it, pushing the door open.

When she stepped into the room, the first thing she noticed was her father on the balcony, phone pressed to his ear, voice lowered to a conspiratorial murmur.

"No wonder he didn't hear me knock," she whispered under her breath, slipping quietly toward the desk to set down the fruit plate she carried.

Her task done, she drifted closer to the balcony,intending to gently coax her father in for a bite.

But as the distance narrowed, his words sharpened in clarity. "The last batch was pure. The next must match it exactly. I'll send you the time and place of the exchange later." Molly froze mid-step, the blood draining from her face. Shock flared in her wide eyes, her breath snagging in her throat. She didn't need a full explanation-growing up in this circle, she knew exactly what the words "batch" and "pure" meant.Contraband. Illegal goods. In other words, her father was involved in criminal activity!

Sherwood, oblivious, continued his hushed conversation.

Only when he hung up and turned back did his gaze land on Molly. She stood a few paces away, pale as moonlight.

A flicker of hesitation passed over him before his features melted into their familiar, practiced warmth."Molly, when did you get in? Don't just stand there have a seat."

Heart hammering, she rushed forward, clutching his sleeve with both hands. "Dad, we can't-this is dangerous, illegal! If you're caught, the consequences could destroy everything!"

Instead of bristling, Sherwood's smile deepened,almost tender. He reached out, smoothing a hand over her hair. "Sweetheart, you worry too much.I know what I'm doing. I'd never drag us into anything like that." Her taut nerves slackened at his reassurance, a shaky breath escaping her lips.

But then his voice shifted, chilling in its calm cruelty."I'm going to let the Sampson family handle it."

The words slammed into her, knocking the air from her lungs. Molly's lips parted soundlessly, her face a mask of disbelief.

"No... that can't be." She stumbled a few steps back,shaking her head. "Dad, you'll ruin Luis."

She had always assumed Sherwood's feud with the Sampsons was just a business skirmish, a matter of contracts, dirty tricks and cutthroat competition; just frictions here and there to teach Luis a lesson. At worst, she thought he meant to make Luis suffer financial losses, perhaps tarnish his standing in the industry. That, she could still rationalize. But this? This was deliberate ruin, a scheme to plant illicit goods and condemn Luis beyond redemption. It would not only shatter him but drag his entire family into devastation!

How foolish she had been to ever believe otherwise.And Luis-God, she loved him. How could she stand by and watch him meet such a tragic end?

Her fingers seized Sherwood's sleeve again, trembling."Please, Dad, I beg you-don't do this. Luis hasn't wronged us. We can't destroy him like this." But Sherwood wrenched his arm free,irritation flashing in his eyes. His smile was gone. His voice cut sharp."Molly, you're still far too naive."