Chapter 920 Lily and Vincent Together Eliminate Rhett
Cordelia shook her head. "Besides him, I can't imagine who else would be helping the Cunningham family from the shadows."
Nolan, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, "Mom, don't overthink it. Whoever it is will reveal themselves eventually. No one helps us without expecting something in return."
From Nolan's perspective, whoever had been protecting the Cunningham Group all these years must be waiting to collect their debt soon if they were motivated by profit.
Cordelia nodded in agreement.
"Nolan, how are you feeling lately?" Edward asked.
"Much... much better," Nolan replied with a slight cough and a smile.
Edward took Hestia's hand and addressed everyone. "Since we're all here today, I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Hestia. We've been married for a while but haven't made it public yet. We plan to announce it formally when the time is right."
Hestia smiled shyly at everyone. "It's wonderful to meet you all."
"We didn't prepare any wedding gifts," Amelia said nervously, glancing at Nolan.
"This gathering was arranged in a hurry. We'll have a proper celebration next time," Nolan reassured her, gently ruffling her hair.
Amelia nodded while Jasmine exchanged a worried look with Ethan.
She understood why Cordelia was so desperate to identify their mysterious benefactor.
After Kavi's incident, the black market in Muskow had been taken over by higher authorities, which meant the Cunningham family could become pawns in someone else's game. As Nolan had pointed out, no one helps others without a reason.
This person had protected the Cunningham Group, helped them expand in Silverlight City, and previously used their import-export business for smuggling. Although the Cunningham Group had discovered this early on, it was clear this person intended to use them for something more.
If the Cunningham Group, with its current standing in Silverlight City, made a mistake or became implicated in something illegal, they would lose everything they'd built.
Cordelia was desperate to identify this person to bring them into the open. As long as they remained hidden, it was impossible to guard against them.
"The Cunningham Group needs to be extremely vigilant right now," Cordelia warned. "Everyone must be thoroughly vetted. One slip at a critical moment could force us out of the Silverlight City market entirely." This was why she had summoned Edward and Hestia today.
The Cunningham Group was facing its most precarious moment. Despite the apparent calm, tensions were brewing beneath the surface. The Powell family, the Murray family, and their business alliances were all watching the Cunningham family like hawks, waiting for them to make a mistake they could exploit.
"We understand," Edward nodded.
Hestia understood as well that the Cunningham Group was under intense scrutiny. She glanced at Edward with concern, knowing he had been sleeping barely a few hours each night as he maintained tight control over operations.
"I want all of you to help Edward in whatever capacity you can," Cordelia sighed. "Contribute people if you have the resources, or ideas if you don't. If the Cunningham Group gets caught in a scandal, we'll never recover."
Their success had made them a target. They had carefully shifted their business strategy to Silverlight City, making it the center of their commercial operations. If something went wrong, they would be forced to retreat to Muskow, which was far more dangerous than Silverlight City—another reason Cordelia had been so determined to establish themselves here.
"Ethan and I will help Edward whenever we can," Jasmine said, glancing at Ethan.
Ethan nodded. "With Brandon and Bradley at the Raymond Group, I feel more confident about our position there."
It was clear that the Cunningham Group was the more vulnerable target due to its less stable foundation.
"I'll find out who's behind all this and discover what they really want," Cordelia said, rubbing her temples.
"Mom, don't worry too much. We're stronger together—we'll get through this," Nolan reassured her.
Cordelia nodded, but her concerns remained.
At the Bellagio Hotel, Lily and Vincent had returned to their room and were drinking wine. Perhaps it was the red wine going to her head, or maybe Lily was intentionally creating an intimate atmosphere, but the mood had turned decidedly romantic.
"You seemed troubled recently. Did something happen?" Lily asked softly, attempting to lean against Vincent.
Vincent didn't pull away, simply smiling. "A friend got into trouble."
Lily looked at him. "Was it serious?"
"Yes," Vincent nodded.
"Do you know why I hate Ethan?" Vincent asked, changing the subject.
Lily straightened up, surprised. Was Vincent finally opening up to her?
"I was an orphan, adopted by the Hamilton family to serve as Ethan's stand-in—to endure kidnappings, threats, and all manner of harm in his place," Vincent explained, swirling his wine. "Because I was an orphan who owed the Hamilton family for taking me in, I was expected to shield Ethan from danger."
Lily frowned. "That's not right."
She found herself feeling genuinely sorry for Vincent. He had been just a child then, forced to face kidnappings and threats meant for Ethan. How desperate he must have felt.
"Meanwhile, Ethan lived a privileged life from birth, the protected heir of the Hamilton family and future inheritor of the Douglas empire," Vincent laughed bitterly. "On what grounds? I've often wondered the same thing—why him and not me?"
Lily clenched her fists. "After everything you endured for him, he owes you."
Vincent smiled. "He certainly does."
Lily embraced him. "I'll help you. If you want to destroy Ethan, I'll be there for you."
"For now, our focus should be on undermining the Cunningham Group, and this opportunity is too good to pass up. Rhett is too unpredictable—I don't think we should continue working with him," Vincent repeated his suggestion to end their partnership with Rhett.
Lily hesitated. The Powell family and Murray family had ongoing business relationships, and cutting ties would mean making enemies of both Rhett and the Murray family.
Suddenly, a loud bang came from outside as someone kicked the door.
"Open up!" It was Rhett.
Avery had deliberately informed Rhett that Lily and Vincent had been secretly involved for some time, suggesting that if they became a couple, Rhett would become expendable. Sure enough, Lily and Vincent had indeed come to the hotel together.
Rhett had followed them, watching as they entered the room looking intimate.
"Open the door! Vincent! Lily, you tramp!" Rhett shouted furiously.
It was obvious that Rhett and Lily's partnership included a physical relationship, which made his sense of betrayal both professional and personal.
Before meeting Vincent, Lily had been quite compliant, maintaining their physical arrangement. Now that Vincent was in the picture, Rhett felt cast aside.
"What are you shouting about?" Vincent asked with a frown as he opened the door.
"You slut! I guess I wasn't satisfying you enough if you're seducing men in the middle of the night," Rhett deliberately insulted Lily in front of Vincent, trying to drive a wedge between them.
Lily's face darkened as she clenched her fists. Rhett was a reckless fool! Vincent had been right—he was unstable and dangerous. They should have ended their partnership with him sooner, before this madman could betray them.
Vincent punched Rhett hard. "Show her some respect."
Lily stared at Vincent, both worried and touched. She glared venomously at Rhett, resolving that she should indeed partner with Vincent to eliminate this dangerous liability first.
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