Chapter 167 The Rot Between Isabella and Celeste
Wrong.
Everything was wrong.
When Damon had said "I failed to raise my daughter properly" before leaving, had he been talking about Caroline? Or about his adopted daughter Celeste? Or had he meant Edith all along?
Isabella and Celeste... there was something rotten there.
Good. Perfect, actually.
Time to pay a personal visit to his so-called devoted mother-in-law, and to Celeste—the woman who had spent years playing Edith, claiming she only loved him too much.
"Prep the helicopter." Alexander's voice was low and hoarse.
"I'm returning to Grandhaven. Now."
"Mr. Hamilton!" Felix stepped forward urgently.
"What about me?"
"You're loyal to Caroline, aren't you?" Alexander slowly turned his head, studying him.
Felix nodded emphatically. "Mr. Hamilton, I swear on my life—even if I die and become a ghost, I'll use every ounce of my strength to keep Ms. Caroline Neville safe."
Hearing Felix's oath, Alexander felt a sudden burning in his eyes.
Even a bodyguard could do what he had failed to do.
He tilted his head back, forcing down the tears.
"From now on, you stay on the island. You watch over Caroline for me," Alexander said.
"Everything else happening outside—none of your concern. You have one job: protect her."
Felix's eyes lit up. "Don't worry, Mr. Hamilton! I won't let you down, and I won't betray Ms. Neville's kindness in saving my life!"
"But remember this." Alexander suddenly stepped close to Felix, looking him dead in the eye.
"You're not loyal to Caroline anymore. You're loyal to Edith. Understand?"
Felix's eyes went wide with shock.
"Sir, how can I..."
"Listen to me." Alexander raised his hand, gripping Felix's shoulder hard.
"That's the only way she survives. You know Kenna, right? Find her. She'll tell you everything."
The helicopter touched down on Ravenwood Manor's helipad.
But Liam, who had arrived first and was waiting at the entrance, wore a grim expression.
"Sir..." Liam hurried forward, his voice strained. "We've got a problem."
Alexander didn't break stride, his icy gaze sweeping over him. "Talk."
"Mrs. Neville and Celeste... they ran."
"What?!"
Alexander stopped dead, whirling around to grab Liam by the collar.
"Ran? What the hell do you mean, ran? When?"
"Right after our people extracted Felix from the Neville estate. Less than two hours later."
Liam was being choked, but he forced himself to report quickly.
"Shortly after Felix was taken, Isabella and Celeste left the main house in a hurry. Latest intel says they used fake IDs, boarded a speedboat from an abandoned dock in Grandhaven harbor, headed for international waters. Based on their trajectory, probably aiming for the Maravique Isles or San Aurelia. They have been gone over twenty-four hours now. The trail has gone completely cold. Our people are working every angle, but I'm afraid..."
Alexander felt the world tilt.
He released Liam, his teeth grinding audibly.
"Those two can run fast." He laughed bitterly.
"Guilty conscience."
That mother-daughter pair definitely had something to hide.
They had known the whole thing was about to blow up and got out ahead of it.
"That's not all, sir." Liam's expression darkened further.
"The Neville Group... it's imploding. Right when Isabella and Celeste disappeared, news broke about massive fund misappropriation—multiple offshore shell companies, complex money laundering channels. Initial estimates put the hole at several billion. The news is out now, can't contain it. The board's in chaos. Shareholders are laying siege to Mr. Neville in the headquarters conference room, demanding answers."
The timing was too perfect—Isabella and Celeste vanish, and immediately the company explodes in scandal, throwing Damon to the wolves.
A classic case of misdirection. Escape and frame someone else for the crime.
"Move!" Alexander didn't hesitate, turning toward the elevator.
"The Neville Group. Now."
Outside the top-floor boardroom at Neville Group headquarters, the sound of furious arguing leaked through the doors.
Security guards and secretaries stood outside looking terrified. When they saw Alexander's thunderous expression as he strode toward them, they all dropped their heads and scrambled out of his way, not daring to breathe.
Alexander flung the conference room door open.
In the center of the crowd, Damon sat alone.
In just the few days since Alexander had last seen him, the man looked like he had aged a decade.
"Damon! You owe us an explanation! Where did that money go?"
"Did you embezzle it? Answer us!"
"Call the police! This is corporate fraud!"
But facing the barrage of accusations, Damon just sat there, silent and vacant.
Alexander's entrance drew every eye in the room. The shouting died instantly.
Damon slowly raised his head, looking toward the figure backlit in the doorway.
Something complicated flickered in his eyes. His voice came out ragged. "You came."
Alexander walked straight to Damon, standing across the conference table from him.
After several seconds, Alexander tilted his head slightly, giving Liam a cold command. "Clear the room."
"Yes, sir."
Liam immediately responded, gesturing to several bodyguards.
"Gentlemen, Mr. Hamilton has private business to discuss. Please step outside." Liam's voice was ice.
"Mr. Hamilton, what is the meaning of this? This is an internal Neville Group meeting!"
"Alexander! Even if you're head of the Hamilton family, you can't interfere in Neville business!"
"That money needs to be accounted for! Damon owes us answers!"
Some tried to protest, but after the bodyguards physically dragged them out, the conference room quickly fell silent.
Now only the two of them remained.
"Did you help them leave?" Alexander got straight to the point.
Damon met his gaze, a bitter smile crossing his face.
He slowly shook his head. "If I'd known in advance, I would have chosen to run with Isabella. Instead of sitting here like a fool, getting attacked and questioned by everyone, waiting for my reputation to be destroyed and prison to come calling."
Alexander's brow furrowed slightly.
"You think I'm going to believe you now?"
"I don't know how to earn your trust. But think about it—do you really believe their escape was some spur-of-the-moment decision?"
With Damon's words, something clicked in Alexander's mind.
Isabella had forced Caroline to sign an agreement voluntarily relinquishing all inheritance rights to the Neville family estate.