Chapter 446
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“XEG just held a press conference announcing that their new product launch is also scheduled for Tuesday–same day as ours, they’re clearly trying to go head–to–head with us.”
After hearing the design director’s report, Caitlin nodded calmly. “I understand. Don’t let them shake our focus. Our launch will proceed as planned.”
“Understood.”
Once the design lead left, Caitlin reviewed the completed garments with designer Justin. After going through the full series, she gave her praise without hesitation.
“Nice work. You’ve done well, Justin. Next, I’ll arrange for you and the Starline models to coordinate fittings. Whether TIG’s launch succeeds on Tuesday depends heavily on your designs.”
“Thank you, Caitlin. I won’t let you down,” Justin replied with growing confidence.
After wrapping up her discussion with Justin, Caitlin held a brief strategy meeting with CEO Garrett to finalize preparations for Tuesday’s
event.
With everything on TIG’s end in order, Caitlin then made her way to Starline to meet with Molly.
As soon as Molly saw her, she grabbed Caitlin’s arm anxiously. “Caitlin, what’s going on? What happened to Yates? You and Sebastian were just at the premiere last night, weren’t you?”
Molly had originally planned to attend the premiere too, but Simon had a last–minute surgery, so they’d changed plans.
“It all happened so fast. Yates was taken by the police. Sebastian’s helping investigate, but right now, all we can do is wait.”
After discussing Yates for a bit, their focus shifted to the product launch. Molly asked, “I just heard XEG is launching on the same day as you. Isn’t that clearly a provocation? What’s your plan?”
“I’m not backing down just because she wants to provoke me. Let them come. We’ll see whose work really stands out.”
Caitlin had no intention of retreating. She was fully aware that Zora’s move was deliberate.
“Alright, I’ve got the models you need set aside for you. You can send someone over to TIG to coordinate with them.”
Molly took Caitlin to review the modeling team. In addition, Caitlin requested a backup group of modèls just in case.
With everything handled, Caitlin called Sebastian to ask how the investigation was going.
At a private apartment, Tyler and the others had been waiting for hours. Finally, Jake–Yates’s assistant–returned from the police station.
As soon as Jake opened the door, he was grabbed from behind and shoved inside.
“Help! Who are you?! What do you want?!”
“Don’t move!”
Jake was slammed onto the table, his face turned to one side. From the corner of his eye, he saw a tall figure walking in.
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It was Sebastian .
“M–Mr. Vanderbilt…”
Jake looked horrified. “Why are you here? What are you doing?!”
Sebastian stepped inside and gave a signal. Tyler and Xavi dragged Jake to a chair and tied him down.
He struggled but couldn’t move. Seeing Sebastian’s cold face and the intimidating guards around, Jake broke into a cold sweat.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, what is this about?”
“I’m giving you a chance to live. Tell me why were there drugs in Yates’s bag and apartment?” Sebastian asked coldly.
“I already told the police! It was Yates–he used the stuff!”
“Liar!”
Sebastian’s sudden roar made Jake flinch.
“Yates might be a celebrity, but he’s always kept himself clean–no gambling, no drugs, nothing. So you want me to believe he suddenly became a junkie?”
“I–I swear, I don’t know anything…”
“You don’t know? You’re his personal assistant. You manage his day–to–day. Aside from his agent and family, who else could touch his bag or enter his home?”
Sebastian had already ruled out family, the agent, the driver, and the housekeeper. Jake was the only remaining suspect.
“It wasn’t me! I swear I’m innocent!”
Sebastian said nothing. His stare grew darker.
Tyler stepped forward. “Jake, we found out your father’s seriously ill and needs surgery. You went everywhere trying to borrow money, and Yates gave you $100,000–no strings attached. That’s how much he trusted you. And how do you repay him?”
Jake’s head dropped in shame.
“We also found a $300,000 deposit in your personal account. Where did that come from?”
“I… I borrowed it…”
“From whom? With your contacts, who would lend you that kind of money?”
Jake couldn’t answer. His forehead dripped sweat.
“If your father knew his son betrayed the man who helped save his life, you think he’d take that money with a clear conscience?”
That struck a nerve. Jake burst into tears.
“I messed up… I messed up… I failed him…”
“Then tell us the truth,” Sebastian demanded.
“Someone… someone came to me. He said if I did one job, he’d give me $800,000.” Jake wept openly. “I was blinded by the money . I was
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desperate. I’m a piece of garbage… ”
If his hands weren’t tied, Jake would’ve slapped himself senseless.
Yates had treated him like a brother–given him money, supported him. And he repaid it with betrayal. The regret was suffocating
“Who came to you?”
“He’s someone I met at Black Lung. Goes by the name Viper. He gave me the drugs. He’s in that business.”
Jake explained everything in detail. After confirming the story, Sebastian instructed Xavi to escort Jake to the police station to revise his statement, while Tyler and plainclothes officers headed to Black Lung to arrest Viper.
The team split up.
Jake was delivered to the station.
Tyler and the undercover officers posed as buyers. Eventually, they identified the room where Viper was hiding and kicked down the door
With a loud crash, the drug dealers inside were startled mid–transaction.
“Police! Don’t move! Hands up!”
At the shout, Viper–dressed in a black shirt–panicked. He shoved his men aside and leapt toward the window.
“Catch him! Don’t let him escape!”
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