Chapter 264

Chapter 264
Andre’s POV
Cynthia sat in the corner, fingers trembling as she dabbed at her reddened eyes with an embroidered handkerchief. The destruction of her prized greenhouse had hit her harder than I'd anticipated.

"It's absolutely unforgivable," she choked out, voice quivering with emotion. "Years of cultivation... destroyed in minutes."

Donna placed a sympathetic hand on Cynthia's shoulder, her expression hardening. "You're all forgetting what she did to George Simpson? Left him bound in that abandoned building where he nearly froze to death? That woman is ruthless."

A heavy silence blanketed the room. The third branch members had already made hasty excuses to leave, distancing themselves from whatever storm was brewing. Smart move.

When the door finally clicked shut behind the last of them, I fixed my gaze on the remaining family members—my people, my responsibility.

"Alright, out with it. Who's responsible?" My voice cut through the room like a blade.

The silence grew thicker. No one would meet my eyes.

I turned directly to Donna. "Was it you?"

Her head snapped up, eyes wide with indignation. "Me? Are you serious, Andre? I may have my issues with Phillip and Marcus, but I'm not stupid enough to pull something like this in your home. Even if you gave me a hundred chances, I wouldn't dare!"

"If not you, then who?" I pressed, not entirely convinced. Her recent animosity toward Anna Shaw hadn't gone unnoticed.

Hector studied his wife with newfound suspicion. "If you did this, just admit it now. We're family here—we'll figure it out together."

Donna shot to her feet, face flushing crimson. "It wasn't me! I swear on my life—if I did this, may I get hit by a car the moment I step outside!"

Hector turned to me with a shrug. "Then it probably wasn't her."

I leaned back, mind racing. If not Donna, and certainly not Derek or Debra who were overseas, then who? My gaze drifted to my wife, who seemed unusually invested in studying the pattern of her skirt.

"And you?" I asked Cynthia sharply. "What kind of household are you running that something this catastrophic happens under your nose without your knowledge?"

A flash of something—guilt? fear?—crossed her face before she buried it behind more tears. "I don't know anything! Please stop interrogating me!"

Her reaction only deepened my suspicions.

After dismissing everyone else, I closed the study door and confronted Cynthia alone.

"Enough games. Who did it?" I demanded.

When she continued her evasive performance, I slammed my teacup onto the desk, making her jump. "We're alone now, and you still won't speak? Do you understand what it means to cross Marcus Murphy? I've been trying to rebuild relationships with Marcus and Phillip, to strengthen our business ties. And meanwhile you're spending all your time with Donna? If she were truly clever, Hector's company wouldn't be circling the drain."

Disappointment coursed through me like acid. "I've given him so many resources over the years, and what has he accomplished? Now tell me—who's responsible?"

Cynthia trembled visibly now. "I... I'm not entirely sure."

The realization hit me like a thunderbolt. "Melissa? Was it Melissa?"

She fidgeted with her handkerchief, finally relenting. "I had asked her to befriend Anna Shaw. How was I to know she'd develop feelings for Jack Simpson instead? I only saw her cornering Jack in the hallway. I can't be certain she drugged him."

"Wait," I interrupted, stunned by this revelation. "Why would you want Melissa to get close to Anna Shaw in the first place?"

Cynthia shrunk back slightly. "I thought if they became friends, she might have more opportunities to see Marcus. Our Melissa has excellent credentials and looks. She's better than Anna Shaw in many ways, hasn't been divorced, has a spotless reputation. Who knows? Maybe Marcus would have noticed her."

I was speechless with rage. "You—you actually dared to think that? Marcus and Anna Shaw have children together, and you're plotting to come between them? How can a woman be so foolish?"

What infuriated me further was her complete lack of remorse. "They're not married yet, are they? I was just creating an opportunity for Melissa. What's wrong with that? Look at Marcus and that Nestling Crest Bay property—it's practically his personal kingdom now. Had I known he was returning, I would have introduced Melissa to him long ago."

Tears welled in her eyes again. "Am I doing this for myself? No! I'm thinking of our family! Our son just lost another million. He's bleeding us dry. And what's a million dollars to Marcus? Not even enough for a necklace for Anna Shaw. Look at the life we lead compared to Marcus and Phillip. Even Catherine, a mere girl, runs a massive company. They say she invested billions in Skylake—billions! You couldn't earn that in several lifetimes."

I slammed my fist on the desk, rage boiling over. "Are we deprived? Are you lacking for food or clothing? The respect you receive, the status you enjoy—who provides that if not me? Your greed knows no bounds."

I paced the room, struggling to contain my fury. "Find the culprit. Immediately. Otherwise, this disgrace falls squarely on our heads. Marcus is practically royalty in Skyview City now, and you fools are plotting behind his back against him and Anna. You've all lost your minds."

As I headed for the door, I delivered a final warning: "Stay away from Hector's family and the third branch from now on. If you need a role model, look to Layla."