Chapter 206

Chapter 206

Martin was immediately scared.

His evidence was fabricated to begin with, and now that Ralph had gotten involved, it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.

But... things had already come this far, and he really didn't want to give up just like that.

Victoria's shares were much larger than his.

At first, he had genuinely wanted to be friends with Victoria. Who knew Victoria would be so capable and actually make the Celine brand successful?

He and the others had calculated that as long as they drove Victoria out, the few of them could join forces and swallow up Celine.

That's why they put on this show today.

But they never expected someone would interfere. They had calculated everything except the relationship between Ralph and Victoria.

"Mr. Cook, there's no need to send such a small matter for verification, right? Besides, don't you trust me?"

Beads of sweat appeared on Martin's forehead. He swallowed hard, feeling extremely panicked inside.

They had calculated everything, except that he would come back.

Ralph's eyes were sharp as he pulled Victoria behind him protectively. "Trust? Victoria trusted you before too, and how did you repay that? I've already reported today's incident to the police. I believe they'll give us a fair judgment."

His brows furrowed tight as he looked at those two, his eyes full of disgust.

Eleanor was the first to react. "Mr. Cook, I didn't know anything! I was deceived! First Jade tricked me, then Martin tricked me. I can apologize to Victoria."

The person who had refused to apologize earlier was now offering to apologize on her own.

Eleanor knew that if she made an enemy of Ralph here, she would lose her protection in the future.

Her eyes were full of hatred, but she had no choice. She could only grit her teeth and apologize to Victoria.

Victoria quietly watched those three people, trying to find some sign of acting in their eyes.

She suspected whether these three were setting a trap for her, just to elevate Ralph's position in her mind.

But then she felt there was no need for that. Given Ralph's current status, he could just take whatever he wanted directly.

Ralph waved his hand. "You shouldn't be apologizing to me. Since you've all been old acquaintances for so many years, you just need to apologize to Victoria. If she's willing to forgive you, then I won't make things difficult for you either."

No matter how unwilling Eleanor was, she could only apologize to Victoria. She bit her lip, her face pale. "Victoria, I'm sorry. I didn't get the facts straight. Can you forgive me?"

Before Victoria could speak, Martin had no choice but to come over too. Originally, they had wanted to completely humiliate Victoria today.

They never expected Victoria to turn the tables.

Now he could only put on a smiling face. "Victoria, I misunderstood you earlier. We've had over a year of friendship."

"There's no friendship between us." Victoria cut him off. "Martin, I gave you a chance, but you didn't want it. Besides, you were so certain just now, I'd also like the police to investigate."

Martin's face looked terrible. He knew he had completely broken with Victoria.

"Victoria, name your price."

"Didn't you just say you were willing to cover the tax evasion funds for my company? Fine, let's do as you said. Give me the money, and I won't pursue this today."

Victoria also knew that these people had wide connections behind them. Trying to send them to prison with this evidence that had no solid proof was almost impossible.

Now her reputation was ruined anyway. She might as well get some benefits and consider it a lesson learned about these people.

Martin hesitated a bit. After all, the money Victoria was asking for was not a small amount.

Luxury goods were expensive to begin with. Her company involved at least two hundred million dollars in tax evasion.

He didn't have that much cash flow on hand.

"You're unwilling?" Victoria completely broke with him. "Martin, if you're unwilling, forget it. I don't want to force you."

She turned to Ralph. "Mr. Cook, since he's unwilling, let's proceed normally..."

"No! I'm willing. This is what I should do."

His aged body trembled, losing all his usual energy in an instant as he collapsed on the ground.

"Alright, Mr. Cook, Martin and I have known each other for over a year. Why don't we let him off this once?"

Victoria smiled brightly. How could these bullshit feelings be more important than those two hundred million dollars?

Hearing Victoria's words, Ralph couldn't help but think more highly of her.

He had thought Victoria would cry and make a scene, but instead she got her benefits and still acted gracious.

Victoria walked over to Eleanor. "Ms. Hartley, now we should settle your account."

Victoria counted on her fingers. "First you followed Jade in framing me, then you followed Martin in framing me. You really didn't miss a single chance."

Eleanor's face turned deathly pale. In terms of power and status, she couldn't compare to Victoria, and she had nothing Victoria needed.

"Ms. Spencer, I've already apologized and admitted my mistake. What more do you want?"

"Is just apologizing and admitting mistakes enough? If I killed you and then apologized and admitted my mistake, would that be okay?"

Victoria pondered. "Since you made a mistake, there should be punishment. How about this, Ms. Hartley, why don't you kneel down and apologize in public, then come work as my assistant for two months as compensation? How's that?"

Eleanor's eyes immediately turned red.

She had been flattered by others since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation!

And she would be working as Victoria's assistant!

"Victoria, must you humiliate me like this?"

Victoria looked disgusted. "You're the one who wanted to apologize. I'm not forcing you to apologize, am I?"

"I..." Eleanor was dying of shame and anger in front of everyone.

She was supposed to be the golden girl, the one everyone flattered! Now she had to apologize to Victoria!

She bit her lip, refusing to give in.

Victoria lost her patience. "Since you won't, forget it. Mr. Cook, can you have her arrested? The surveillance cameras in this banquet hall completely recorded everything. That should count as evidence of her crime, right?"

Ralph nodded, supporting Victoria. "Of course."

Eleanor tried to stop them. "No! Victoria, you can't have me arrested! Chase won't agree to this!"

"What does our business have to do with him?"

Victoria coldly refused, then smiled at Ralph. "Thank you so much for today, Mr. Cook. I'm a bit tired. Could I trouble you to handle the rest?"

Ralph looked at her kindly. "Of course. Announce the end of the party. Go home and rest early."

Victoria picked up the microphone from the ground and tapped it. "Sorry for the spectacle, everyone. Let's end the party here today. Everyone should go home and rest early."