Chapter 102: Setting the Trap

The moment they returned to the Royal Estate, the two of them froze.

The elegant living room looked as though a storm had swept through it. Ledgers, invoices, vouchers, receipts, and files were scattered across the center table, sofa, carpet—even the floor.

In the middle of that paper battlefield, Layla Hart sat cross-legged on the carpet. Her hair resembled a bird’s nest.

Dark circles surrounded her eyes. She looked like someone who had declared war against accounting.

Mindy blinked. "...Layla?"

Layla slowly lifted her head. "Oh... you’re back."

Her voice was hoarse. Wade pinched his nose dramatically.

"Oh my God." He leaned backward. "You smell."

Layla glared at him.

"When was the last time you took a bath?"

"I don’t remember."

"..."

"..."

Mindy walked over, gently pulled the ledger from Layla’s hands, and closed it. "Come on." Layla immediately tried grabbing it back.

"No. I have to finish."

Mindy crouched beside her.

"We’re not letting anyone get away. But not today.

You haven’t slept. You haven’t eaten properly.

And from the smell..." She looked at Wade. "...she definitely hasn’t bathed."

Wade nodded seriously.

"I think the sofa is trying to escape." Layla threw a cushion at him.

Mindy held Layla’s wrist. "Up."

Layla resisted for exactly three seconds before letting out a defeated sigh.

"...Fine." Mindy smiled.

She led Layla upstairs like an exhausted child.

"Take a shower. Sleep. We’ll go through everything together."

Layla looked back one last time at the mountain of ledgers. "...Promise?"

"I promise." Only then did Layla disappear into her room.

Wade sat down on the sofa and casually picked up one of the ledgers. His expression gradually became serious.

Several sheets had colorful sticky notes attached—dates, invoice numbers, company names, amounts, connections.

Layla hadn’t simply checked the accounts. She had practically reconstructed the last ten years of financial history.

Mindy came downstairs a few minutes later and sat beside Wade.

Without saying anything, Wade handed her one notebook. Every payment made to Aurielle Diamonds had been listed year by year—every invoice number,

every approving authority,

every payment date,

even the bank transaction references.

Mindy slowly turned each page. Her brows knitted together.

"I suspected Emily. But I never imagined it was this extensive."

Wade nodded. "This isn’t random spending. This is systematic. They’ve been draining the company little by little. So little that nobody noticed."

Mindy sighed. "Death by a thousand cuts."

Wade looked at another page. "And look here. The payments spike every quarter. They knew exactly how much they could steal without triggering an audit."

Mindy nodded. "They’re careful. Very careful." Wade looked at her.

"What do you want to do?" Mindy closed the ledger.

"Nothing."

He blinked. "...Nothing?"

"For now. The moment we make a move, they’ll destroy evidence. They think nobody knows. I’d rather keep it that way."

A slow smile appeared on Wade’s face.

"Let’s rest first."

Wade nodded and left for his room.

Two hours later, the siblings were eating takeout while going through Layla’s notes.

Mindy suddenly asked, "What do you think happened at the Bose residence?"

Wade looked at her. "You’re testing me?"

She smiled innocently. "Maybe."

Wade leaned back.

"The orphanage land wasn’t the objective. It was just an excuse.

They wanted Mr. Bose alone.

They wanted Ana involved.

They even sent someone pretending to be a waiter." He paused.

His expression became thoughtful.

"I’m not sure if he did all of this alone, or if someone else was involved.

But something feels off. He was conveniently present. He knew where Mr. Bose was. It was Yeager Brooks."

Mindy smiled. "I knew you’d notice."

Wade narrowed his eyes. "You already reached the same conclusion." "I did."

He sighed. "I hate talking to you. You already know everything."

She laughed. "You love talking to me."

"Unfortunately."

A moment later, Wade suddenly became serious.

"Mindy." She looked at him.

"What happened? You changed. You were never like this.

You always endured everything. You kept forgiving.

You kept sacrificing. But now... you don’t. What happened?"

Silence filled the room. Mindy looked outside the window.

The evening sunlight reflected in her eyes. After a long moment, she spoke quietly.

"I had a nightmare."

Wade frowned.

"A nightmare?"

"It felt real. So real that I watched everyone die because of me.

My family.

My friends.

Myself."

She smiled bitterly. "I woke up and realized I never wanted that life.

So I decided—if someone hurts me, I’ll hurt them back.

If someone plots against my family, I’ll destroy their plans.

If someone wants war, I’ll finish it."

She looked at Wade. "I’ll tell you everything one day. But not today."

Wade studied her for several seconds. Then he smiled. "Good."

She looked confused. "Good?"

"I like this version. The old Mindy worried about everyone. This one..." He poked her forehead.

"...finally worries about herself." She smiled. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

Mindy flipped another page. "Veloura Fashion Headquarters... there are fewer transactions. But they’re all approved by the same finance department."

Wade frowned. "We need to know who owns both companies."

Mindy nodded. "If Emily owns them directly, she’s an idiot. If she doesn’t, then someone else does. And that someone is probably the real beneficiary."

Just then, Wade’s phone rang. "Yes?"

He listened quietly. "No. Ask Ethan to handle it."

He hung up. Mindy raised an eyebrow. "Aren’t you needed in Rithol?"

He folded his arms dramatically. "Are you throwing me out?"

She laughed. "No. I like having you here.

But Wilson Group also likes having its Vice President.

Ethan can only do so much. You already transferred Sienna here. You’ve postponed enough work."

Wade sighed dramatically.

"Fine. But if anything happens..."

He pointed at her. "You call me. Immediately. No hiding. No acting brave."

Mindy stood up and gave him an exaggerated salute. "Yes, Sir!" Wade couldn’t help laughing.

"Hopeless." Wade then left for packing.

Late that night, Layla finally came downstairs. Her wet hair was tied into a loose bun. She looked human again. Mindy looked up from the files.

"There. Much better. You no longer resemble an abandoned scarecrow."

Layla ignored her completely. "I’m starving."

Mindy walked into the kitchen and heated a bowl of noodles.

Layla practically inhaled them.

Layla asked, "Where’s Wade?" Mindy replied, "He left for Rithol. They need him there." Layla nodded.

Mindy placed another stack of documents on the table. "So. What’s the plan?"

Layla leaned back. "We don’t expose anything. Yet."

Mindy nodded. "I agree. We need evidence that even the best lawyer can’t challenge."

Mindy picked up a blank notepad. "We’ll split the work. I’ll investigate Aurielle Diamonds. You investigate Veloura Fashion.

We’ll trace ownership,

bank transfers,

directors,

beneficiaries. And..."

She smiled. "We create bait."

Layla’s eyes lit up. "If that information reaches Emily, we’ll know exactly where the leak came from."

Layla grinned. "A trap. For the mole."

"Exactly. We don’t chase the rat. We tempt it with cheese."

Layla laughed. "I missed working with you."

A few minutes later, Layla suddenly looked up. "So. How’s the Angel Tear?"

Mindy smiled instinctively. "It’s beautiful."

"And?"

Mindy told Layla everything: the auction, the celebration, Ana, the engagement, Layton, the shopping trip, and the fact that Missy’s cards had been frozen.

Layla nearly choked on her tea.

"He actually cut off her allowance?"

Mindy nodded. "It seems that way."

Layla smirked and set her cup down.

"About time."

She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"So... you met President Knight again."

Mindy sighed.

"He knows something, but he refuses to tell me."

Layla’s playful expression disappeared.

"This ’he’ again?"

Mindy nodded.

"Emily is afraid of him. Missy is afraid of him. Tori is afraid of him. Even Layton seemed cautious around him."

Layla crossed her arms, her expression turning thoughtful.

"Then whoever he is, he must be extremely powerful."

Mindy nodded quietly.

"But we’ll find him eventually."

Layla narrowed her eyes and studied Mindy for a moment.

"And are you really sure you want to divorce Layton?"

"Of course," Mindy replied without hesitation. "There’s no point in dragging this out any longer. There’s no happy ending for us."

Her voice was calm.

"Some relationships are meant to end, Layla. Ours has already reached its conclusion. We’re only delaying the inevitable by refusing to accept it."

Layla’s expression grew serious.

"Is Ana all right?"

"Yes, she’s fine," Mindy assured her. "But she was frightened. She tried not to show it, but she was terrified. I’m just glad Wade was with her."

Layla frowned.

"Are you certain Yeager Brooks was the one who planned everything?"

"I suspect him," Mindy replied with a nod. "But I can’t say anything for certain yet."

Layla suddenly remembered something. "Oh! Did you meet Matthias?"

"Not yet. We’re having lunch tomorrow."

Layla smiled. "Perfect." Mindy looked confused. "What?"

"You have no idea. The poor man has been walking around like an emotionless robot. Everyone at Zeus Vision has been terrified.

Even Zac avoids him." Mindy blinked. "Really?"

Layla nodded seriously. "You should kiss him again."

Silence. Mindy stared at her. "...Layla."

"I’m serious."

Mindy grabbed the nearest sofa cushion. "Take that back."

"No." Thump! Layla caught the cushion effortlessly.

"What? I’m only trying to save Zeus employees."

Another cushion flew across the room.

Layla laughed loudly as Mindy chased her around the living room. The Royal Estate was filled with carefree laughter.