Chapter 619

Zoey bent down to catch Travis and kissed him on the cheek. "Really? Then you all have to be good and listen."

"We're always good!" Gabriel puffed out his little chest, then let out a big yawn, starting to feel sleepy.

Henry's voice came from behind Zoey, "Looks like someone needs to go to bed."

He stood at the doorway, his suit jacket already off, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms.

Under the light, his features were sharp, but his gaze softened incredibly when he looked at Zoey and the kids.

Hazel reluctantly kissed her two grandsons on their cheeks. "You boys go to bed now. Come play with Grandma tomorrow."

On the way back to the side yard, Travis had already fallen asleep on Henry's shoulder, his little mouth slightly open, a tiny droplet of drool glistening. Gabriel insisted on walking by himself but held tightly onto Zoey's fingers, stumbling with each step.

Zoey looked at Travis on Henry's shoulder and then down at Gabriel, who was fighting off sleep. A warm feeling surged in her heart.

No matter who that stranger was four years ago, Zoey was grateful to God for bringing Henry into her life, a man who treated Gabriel and Travis as his own.

"What did your father say to you? You were gone for a while," Zoey asked softly.

Henry's steps paused almost imperceptibly. "He just reminded me to beef up security, to make sure Gabriel and Travis are safe."

He turned to look at Zoey, her profile delicate like a flower in the moonlight. "And he urged us to get married soon."

Zoey chuckled. "Mr. Windsor being urged to get married? That's a first."

Their shadows intertwined on the path, with Gabriel and Travis's small figures in between, like a perfect family portrait.

In the distance, Alfred stood at the study window, watching the scene with a mix of relief and worry in his eyes.

As night deepened, Windsor Manor returned to its peaceful state.

Only the rustling of the autumn wind through the treetops seemed to whisper secrets yet to be revealed and storms yet to come.

In the top-floor office of Honghe Film and Television Company, Felicity stood at the large desk, nervously twisting the hem of her shirt.

She cautiously observed Helena's expression. Helena was staring at the stock market data on her computer screen, her face growing darker by the second.

"Aunt Helena, here's this month's financial report," Felicity gently pushed the folder towards Helena. "With the tax fines and brand termination fees, our liquid assets are..."

"Enough!" Helena snapped her laptop shut, her voice sharp in the empty office.

She rubbed her temples, her meticulously manicured nails glinting coldly under the light. "I know."

Felicity shrank back, not daring to speak further.

Since the Marigoldia fiasco, Helena's temper had become increasingly volatile.

Honghe Film and Television Company had been hit with scandals of tax evasion and drug abuse among its stars, causing its stock price to plummet to an all-time low.

Worse still, rumors in the industry suggested it was Zoey's doing, the once-dismissed granddaughter of the Chambers family, now a rising star in the business world and soon to marry into the elite Windsor family.

"You can go now," Helena waved tiredly. "Tell the finance department to hold on for another week."

Once Felicity closed the door, Helena immediately retrieved an old flip phone from the safe and dialed the only stored number. The call was answered after just one ring, but no one spoke.

"It's me," Helena whispered. "I need to meet."

There was a brief silence, then a mechanically altered voice replied, "Same place, one hour."

The call ended abruptly.

Helena exhaled deeply and took a black magnetic card from the drawer, carefully placing it in her wallet.

She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city lights below.

Once, she had stood here, full of ambition, believing she would dominate the entertainment industry.

But now.

The mirrored glass reflected Helena's still beautiful but slightly haggard face.

She instinctively touched the new fine lines at the corners of her eyes, then pinched her palm hard.

This was no time for self-pity; she had to seize this last chance.

An hour later, Helena's car silently entered the underground parking lot of an unremarkable commercial building.

She cautiously scanned her surroundings, ensuring she wasn't followed, then quickly headed to the private elevator.

The elevator required a card to operate. Her trembling fingers pulled the black card from her wallet and lightly tapped it on the sensor.

The elevator doors closed slowly and began to ascend.

In the confined space, Helena could hear her own rapid heartbeat.

There were no buttons or floor indicators in the elevator, as if a monster was swallowing her into an unknown abyss.

When the elevator finally stopped, it opened to a dimly lit hallway, ending at a heavy metal door.

Helena took a deep breath and approached the reception desk.

A middle-aged man with a blank expression sat at the desk, not even glancing up as she approached.

Helena placed the black card on the desk and pushed it forward.

The man finally looked up, swiped the card through a machine, and her photo and basic information appeared on the screen.

After carefully verifying, he pressed a button under the desk.

"Follow me," the man said flatly, like a robot.

They passed through several security doors requiring fingerprint verification, finally stopping at an unmarked office.

The man knocked lightly, and a deep male voice from inside said, "Come in."

The man stepped aside to let Helena in, then retreated to the hallway.

Helena adjusted her collar and entered.

The office was astonishingly spacious, with one wall covered in surveillance screens showing real-time footage of the building's various corners.

Another wall displayed stock market trends and data streams from around the world.

In the center of the room, a man in his thirties stood by the window, his tall figure casting a long shadow on the floor.

"Mr. Lopez," Helena bowed deeply, her voice unnaturally humble.

The man slowly turned around.

He had an exceptionally handsome face, with a high nose bridge and gold-rimmed glasses, but his eyes were icy cold.

He wore a finely tailored dark gray suit, with cufflinks made of peculiar black gemstones that glinted eerily under the light.

"Ms. Chambers," Gregory Lopez's voice was terrifyingly gentle. "I assume you're here to inform me that Honghe Film and Television Company is on the brink of bankruptcy?"

Helena's fingertips dug into her palm, her well-maintained nails nearly piercing the skin. "Mr. Lopez, I..."

"Sit," Gregory gestured to the chair opposite him, then leaned casually against the desk. "Let me guess, tax issues? Celebrity scandals? Or has Zoey caused you more trouble?"