Chapter 111 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone

Chapter 111 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone

After leaving Vivian's apartment, Shawn sat in his car, lost in thought.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel as his mind replayed the angle of that photograph over and over.

Based on the perspective, the shot must have been taken from the side-rear of the bar booth, meaning only someone seated in an adjacent booth could have captured it.

Most importantly, the bar visit had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Vivian was the only person who knew where he'd be.

If it wasn't Vivian's doing, then it had to be someone from the bar staff.

Shawn grabbed his phone and dialed Tim's number directly.

The moment the call connected, he said coldly, "Keep investigating this. And recently, get a few people to tail Vivian. See if she makes contact with anyone suspicious."

"No problem, Mr. Grey."

After arranging everything, Shawn leaned back against his seat, exhausted.

Walls have ears. He refused to believe he couldn't track down whoever was behind this.

As dusk settled in, Shawn started the car and headed back to Rosewood Estates.

Meanwhile.

Ruth had just returned from the office not long ago and was sitting on the living room sofa, flipping through design drafts.

The butler approached from the entryway, holding a courier envelope. "Lady Ruth, a package just arrived for you. There's no sender information on it."

Hearing this, Ruth set down the design drafts and took the envelope, tearing it open.

A stack of photographs spilled out, scattering across the coffee table.

The butler froze the instant he saw them.

"Lady Ruth, these photos..."

Ruth didn't immediately look through the photographs. Instead, she glanced toward the window. "The wind's picking up. Close the window, would you?"

Hearing this, the butler hurried to do as she asked.

While the butler was closing the window, Ruth quickly flipped through the photos, selected several, and swiftly tucked them inside the design drafts beside her.

As for the remaining photographs, she casually tossed them back onto the coffee table.

The butler returned. "Lady Ruth, the window's closed." After saying this, he glanced at the photos on the table from the corner of his eye, hesitating before speaking. "Lady Ruth, this..."

Ruth's expression remained impassive. She only asked, "Mr. Grey should be home soon, shouldn't he?"

The butler checked the time and nodded. "Indeed."

Ruth waved her hand, signaling him to go about his business.

The butler looked like he wanted to say something more, but just as he turned to leave, he spotted Shawn changing his shoes in the entryway and called out, "Mr. Grey."

Ruth still didn't move, her gaze fixed on the photos on the table.

Shawn finished changing his shoes and walked over. Seeing Ruth sitting on the sofa, absorbed in something, he couldn't help but feel curious.

"Babe, what are you looking at? You seem really focused."

Ruth simply shifted slightly, fully exposing the photographs on the coffee table to his view.

Shawn's smile froze the instant he saw them.

He rushed forward and grabbed the nearest photo.

In it, he and Vivian were embracing. If this photo looked like this, he didn't dare imagine what the others showed.

He quickly flipped through several more. Confirming there were no images of kissing or anything worse, the panic churning inside him subsided slightly.

Shawn turned to Ruth and asked hoarsely, "Babe, where did these photos come from?"

Ruth's tone was calm. "Someone just sent them by courier. No name, no return address."

Shawn's throat bobbed as his mind raced, trying to figure out how to explain.

Before he could come up with anything, Ruth spoke. "Don't you have anything to say about these photos?"

Shawn's heart sank. He quickly moved to sit beside Ruth.

He took her hand and said, "Babe, remember that business dinner I mentioned before? The one Mrs. Crompton organized? Vivian was there too. I just had too much to drink, and she was probably just trying to help me up."

Ruth lowered her gaze, looking at Shawn holding her hand, her eyes cold.

Shawn had indeed mentioned that dinner before. But if she hadn't just hidden away those other photos...

Just then, Shawn added, "Babe, someone definitely took these photos on purpose, trying to drive a wedge between us. You know the Grey family has business rivals out there."

Ruth looked at him calmly. "So you're saying someone's framing you?"

Shawn nodded eagerly.

"Exactly! They're trying to tank the Grey family's stock price and ruin our relationship." Then he couldn't help but ask, "Babe, were there any other photos besides these?"

Ruth made a small sound. "Judging by your tone, there's something even worse than this..."

Before Ruth could finish, Shawn said, "How could there be? I'm just worried there might be other photos that would make you misunderstand. I wanted to explain if there were."

Ruth hummed thoughtfully. "I see. I was overthinking it."

Shawn hugged Ruth, his eyes tender.

"Babe, you know I only have eyes for you. How could I ever do anything to hurt you?"

Ruth found it all rather dull. She pushed him away and picked up the design drafts from the table.

"Fine, I won't ask anymore. You figure out who did this. I'm heading upstairs."

Hearing this, Shawn repeatedly promised Ruth he would investigate.

Ruth turned and walked upstairs with measured steps.

Shawn's gaze followed her figure until it disappeared around the staircase landing. Only then did he let out a breath.

Thank God.

Upstairs.

Ruth had just pushed open the bedroom door when her phone rang.

William?

She walked to the bedroom balcony to answer. "Did you find out who sent the photos?"

William's tone was leisurely. "I did. Why don't you take a guess?"

Ruth laughed softly. "Vivian. No one else would do something this stupid."

She could already imagine the woman's motives, blackmailing Shawn with these photos on one hand, sending them to her to disgust her on the other.

Killing two birds with one stone. How beautifully calculated.

William chuckled low, praising her. "Ruth's as sharp as ever. I've already tracked down the person she hired to take the photos. Should I leak this information?"

Ruth leaned against the window frame, looking up at the moon in the sky. "Leak it. Why wouldn't we? Isn't it perfect to let them tear each other apart?"

"Alright." William agreed, then added a reminder, "You should be careful too. She's already sending you photos by courier, who knows what she'll try next."

"I will."