“Be quiet,” Vincent said sharply, his tone icy and threatening.

Leo flinched. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he looked over at Natalie, hurt and upset.

Natalie grew tense and rushed to smooth things over.

“Vincent, he’s just a little kid. Don’t be harsh with him…”

Vincent ignored her completely. He leaned back against the seat and squeezed his eyes shut. Frustration and unease threatened to overwhelm him.

The Ferris Wheel touched the ground soon after. Vincent practically fled the ride, not glancing once at Natalie or Leo.

He returned to his Long Island Private Estate, where his advisor waited anxiously in the living room, holding back words he was afraid to speak.

“Speak,” Vincent ordered. He pulled off his coat and tossed it carelessly onto the sofa, clearly impatient.

The advisor took a deep breath and forced himself to deliver the news.

“Don, the condo you gifted to Donna has been sold off cheap through a realtor. The auction house also sent word. All the necklaces, bracelets and designer bags you gave her have been put up for sale, and buyers are already placing bids.”

A loud crash echoed through the room.

Vincent slammed his fist down on the coffee table, shattering the tempered glass into pieces. His face turned livid, his eyes blazing red with fury, and a threatening presence hung thick in the air.

“Hasn’t she caused enough trouble?!”

“Is she really that desperate for money? Why can’t she just swallow her pride and come to me?”

Vincent panted heavily, consumed by anger.

“I’ve never denied her a single thing. I froze her bank accounts only to tame her stubborn pride, to make her realize she has no one but me to rely on.”

He shouted at the top of his lungs, as if raising his voice could drown out the growing panic in his chest.

His voice faded slowly, and confusion clouded his features.

Something was wrong.

Claire had never been a woman who chased wealth.

When his business failed years ago and the family conglomerate drowned in debt, she had gone back to the Reed family without hesitation to borrow money. She had sold her own house, car and precious collection of bags, and handed every cent to him with a smile.

“Vincent, it’s okay. We can start over together. I believe in you.”

Back then, she had only had eyes for him, not money, status or luxury.

How could she sell all his gifts just for cash?

A terrifying realization struck Vincent out of nowhere.

Today was the day of the court hearing for Henry’s Narcotics Trafficking Felony case.

He had completely forgotten.

He had spent the entire day wandering amusement parks and riding the Ferris Wheel with Natalie and Leo, lost in his own fake happiness. He had ignored the one thing that mattered most to Claire.

Why had Natalie insisted on taking him out today of all days?

Why had Leo cried and clung to him nonstop, refusing to leave his side?

Cold sweat broke out across Vincent’s back. Dread swelled inside him until he could barely breathe.

He grabbed the advisor’s arm tightly, his voice trembling.

“Hurry and check. What was the verdict on Henry’s case?”

The advisor jumped in fright and checked his phone quickly. He spoke a moment later.

“Don, we just got the update. Henry has been found not guilty.”

Vincent let out a relieved breath and spoke instinctively.

“Well done. I’m glad you handled everything. I wouldn’t have known how to explain this to Claire.”

The advisor stared at him, utterly confused.

“Don… I didn’t arrange anything. The plaintiff dropped charges, evidence was submitted, and the defense was handled entirely by others. None of it was our doing.”

It was not his work.

Vincent froze on the spot as if struck by lightning. His blood ran cold in his veins.

If he had not done this, then who had?