b/bThe Snake Beneath the Silk

bScarlett /bnearlyughed from sheer disbelief.

A video meeting?

What a polished excuse. Guess some people really weren’t afraid of retribution knocking on btheir /bdoorb. /b

“Fine. Apology epted. Let’s go.”

The butler led her through a grand nine–meter–high foyer. Overhead, a chandelier of 360 bcrystals /bbsparkled/b, casting soft light on the Persian handwoven carpet beneath. Ancient Persian motifs shimmered bacross /bbthe /bfibers, every detail–wild horses, delicate clover blossoms–stitched with golden thread.

Both sides of the hallway disyed Mr. Samuel’s prized whiskey collection in ss cases.

Of course, after visiting Jasper’s over–the–top mansion….

This level of luxury no longer shocked her.

Still, she couldn’t help admiring the craftsmanship.

Along the corridor, oil paintings lined the walls–authentic Renaissance works. One Botticelli, framed behind bulletproof ss, glittered with golden pigment under the lights, mirroring the rose blossoms outside the window.

A faint scent of sandalwood mingled with some rare perfume floated in the air. The unique fragrance reminded Scarlett of a sedative blend.

She frowned slightly.

For someone with mild nervous tension, this aroma would soothe.

But for someone like Samuel, in his current mental state? This would only aggravate the split in his cognition over time.

“This painting…” she murmured.

The butler replied quickly.

“A birthday gift from Madam, some years back. The master never mentioned it, but he hung it in the most prominent spot.”

Scarlett smirked inwardly.

Such a devoted, filial daughter.

What a shame.

The butler, noticing her unusual silence until now, grew concerned.

“Ms. Lane, is there something wrong with this painting?”

Scarlett withdrew her gaze.

“No.”

Chapter 235 The Shake Beneath the Silk

bEven /bbif /bprofessionals bwere /bcalled to examine it, the ingredients in the bfragrance /bbwould /bblikely /bbcheck /bout a harmless–even beneficialb–/bto the master,

bAs /bfor his condition…

Only hypnosis would reveal the truth.

When Scarlett entered the upstairs sitting room, Grace–the Kramer heiressi–/iwas lounging on a rosewood chaise, a gilded cigarette holder bnced between her fingers. A ruby the size of a pigeon’s eye gleamed bat /bthe tip, casting fractured light with every flick of her wrist.

She wore a custom Chanel suit, ivory trousers pressed razor–sharp. Yet as Scarlett approached, she deliberately tapped her cigarette ash onto the wool carpet by her feet.

Casual, but calcted.

Every move reeked of a powerful woman looking down on someone beneath her.

The butler hadn’t expected her here either. For a moment, he looked genuinely ufortable.

But Grace waved him off.

“Go prepare tea for Ms. Lane.”

She was clearly trying to send him away.

As a hired employee, the butler had no choice but to obey.

“Ms. Lane, please make yourselffortable. I’ll be back shortly.”

Once he left, Grace narrowed her eyes, her voice dripping with frost.

“My father’s illness isn’t something a fame–chasing quack can cure.”

Scarlett held her polite smile.

“You’re overthinking it. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not here to treat him.”

“Lies! You clearly-”

“Ms. Grace,” Scarlett’s smile vanished.

No need for politeness when dealing with someone who’d tried to harm her.

“You blocking me right now is dying your father’s treatment.”

Grace’s jaw tightened. “Don’t use my father to pressure me. You’d better tell me exactly what drug you gave him–what made him suddenly make that kind of decision!”

“If you cooperate, I’ll let it go, out of respect for the Lane family.”

“Otherwise, don’t me me for what happens next!”

Scarlett’s eyes flicked to the ring on Grace’s finger, catching a gleam under the light.

11:52 Sar TO AL

bChapter /b235 The Snake Beneath the Silk

It bwas /bba /bbcoiled /bbserpent /bbof /bdiamonds–its bhead /bpointed bright /bat the medical bfile /bbon /bthe table, which re biSamuel /i/biEarly/ibi–/i/bbstage /biAlzheimer’s /iwith psychotic ifeatures/ibi. /i/b

bShe /bsuddenly asked, “Even if I exined it clearly, would you understand?b” /b

bGrace’s /bbface /btwisted, clearly provoked. She nearly struck out.

“You dare speak to me like that? Even your mother greets me with ba /bsmilei!/ii” /i

Scarlett’s voice turned icy.

“My mother is kind. She’d smile at stray cats and dogs on the street too.”

“You little–did you just insult me?!”

“You were the one who started.”

Grace looked like she was about to explode. Her hand shot up.

Scarlett didn’t flinch.

If that pnded-

She’d make sure Grace lost everything she had in the Kramer family.

Fortunately…

Grace wasn’t that stupid.

Her hand stopped mid–air, trembling with rage.

“If you don’t give me a proper exnation today, you can forget about seeing my father!”

“Grace.”

A low male voice drifted from the staircase.

Scarlett looked up–and locked eyes with a pair of deep, chestnut–brown eyes.

860

bB /b

W