Chapter 256: A Grand Display of Might
As soon as Ms. Shaw’s call came in, Vivian Lowell quickly asked the clerk to start scanning her items, then walked to a quiet corner to answer.
“How did it go?”
Vivian was perfectly calm. Over the line, Ms. Shaw’s furious voice rang out. “Mrs. Faulkner, I’ve found the person who secretly contacted Lawyer Donovan!
“Madam Faulkner returned home a few minutes ago. If everything goes as expected, Lawyer Donovan will be here any minute. Are you still at the supermarket?
“Do you have a lot of groceries? Let me come and help you!”
Vivian glanced at her several large bags of groceries. After a brief thought, she replied, “Uh, no need, Ms. Shaw. Just drive into the mall’s underground parking garage.
“I’ll push the shopping cart down to meet you. I’m all done shopping, so we can head home right away!”
“Understood, Mrs. Faulkner. I’ll let you know my spot once I park.”
With that, Ms. Shaw politely hung up.
Vivian slipped her phone back into her purse and returned to the checkout counter to pay.
She had bought quite a lot. The beef at the supermarket this morning was exceptionally fresh. Craving braised beef, Vivian had grabbed a good portion, along with some eggs, planning to make a home-cooked meal for their golden retriever and Yuumi.
Once dehydrated, the extra beef would make great little snacks for Yuumi. The supermarket also had plenty of imported cat food and canned treats, which she made sure to stock up on. Even though they already had an abundance of pet food at home, seeing the cabinets fill up with supplies brought Vivian genuine joy!
In the underground parking garage.
When Vivian stepped out of the elevator, Ms. Shaw was already waiting. She hurried over to help push the cart.
“Let me handle this, Mrs. Faulkner.”
Ms. Shaw was highly respectful as she pushed the cart, leading Vivian back to the parked car.
A few minutes later, the two finished loading the groceries, got back into the vehicle, and rushed back to the villa.
As they approached the house, Ms. Shaw checked the security feed. Confirming that Lawyer Donovan had already arrived, she drove through the neighborhood’s main gates with Vivian.
The entrance was guarded by security. The young security guard recognized Vivian and greeted her politely, “Mrs. Faulkner, you’re back so soon.
“Safe travels!”
“Mhm!” Vivian took her gate card and said to the guard, “I actually have a favor to ask. An uninvited guest has been constantly harassing our home lately.
“Could you bring a few men and come with me?”
The young guard was startled.
How could that be? All four gates of their neighborhood were manned around the clock, and the perimeter fences were topped with barbed wire. Unless they were a resident, no one should have been able to get in!
“Understood.” Although the guard found it strange, he didn’t question Vivian’s words. He pulled out his walkie-talkie, arranged for backup, and then led a team to follow her back to the Faulkner Family villa.
At the front door.
Behind Vivian and Ms. Shaw stood a dozen young security guards. They were all military veterans—every single one over six feet tall and exceptionally well-built.
“Thank you all for your trouble. Please wait here at the door for a moment while I go in to check the situation. If anything happens, Ms. Shaw will come out and call for you immediately.”
Out of caution, Vivian decided to have them remain outside for now.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The guards agreed in unison. They stood at attention by the door, batons in hand, forming an imposing single line that looked straight out of a police academy drill.
In the living room.
Vivian and Ms. Shaw had barely pushed the front door open when they heard Lawyer Donovan’s voice.
“Rachel is a granddaughter you raised with your own hands. Don’t you know her true nature? She’s just immature. She simply had a moment of misguided judgment and made a mistake.
“She’s been immensely regretful and wants to apologize to you, Mr. Faulkner, and Mrs. Faulkner. But since neither Mr. nor Mrs. Faulkner is willing to see her, I had no choice but to come to you.
“Miss Rachel is still so young. Being sentenced to death means her life is entirely over. Madam Faulkner, do you really have the heart to watch her die? She…”
It was utterly disgusting.
Vivian had only heard a few sentences, but it was enough to make her chest heave with nausea. Grabbing her purse, she hurled it directly at Lawyer Donovan’s head.
“What kind of bullshit are you spouting? Lawyer Donovan, I was wondering where Rachel Faulkner got the nerve to appeal! For the crimes she committed, the death penalty is the most just verdict! What right does she have to be dissatisfied?
“And you’ve got quite the nerve yourself, sneaking into our home to harass my grandmother while Julian Faulkner and I were out. Where did you find the audacity?”
Not holding back in the slightest, Vivian marched right up to Lawyer Donovan and slapped him hard across the face.
SLAP! The strike was so loud and forceful that it left the lawyer completely dazed.
𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
“I mean, you’re supposedly a lawyer! Trespassing on private property warrants criminal detention and a fine. I assume you’re well aware of that?
“Ms. Shaw, call the guards in!”
“Right away! Guards, come quickly! We’ve caught a bad guy!”
Ms. Shaw shouted at the top of her lungs.
Hearing the call, the security guards stormed inside in formation. Vivian even noticed that they had politely slipped on shoe covers at the door before entering.
They truly lived up to their reputation as high-end villa security—their professionalism was impeccable.
In the brief moment Vivian fell silent, the ten burly guards had already formed a tight circle around Lawyer Donovan.
The slap had already left him disoriented, causing him to stagger and collapse to the floor. Having just struggled to sit up, he was now terrified to find himself surrounded by so many intimidating men.
“What do you think you’re doing? Mrs. Faulkner! What you’re doing is also illegal!”
Lawyer Donovan babbled wildly, making things up in his panic.
Vivian didn’t even bother to entertain him. With a cold snort, she retorted, “Illegal? What law am I breaking? A thief broke into my home to steal things, and I called security to apprehend him. What’s illegal about that?
“Gentlemen, please keep a close eye on him for me. I’m taking him to the police station right now to find out exactly what his ulterior motives are!”
The security guards nodded in agreement.
Vivian then had Ms. Shaw fetch some rope to tie Lawyer Donovan up. She arranged for just two guards to accompany them, as they wouldn’t all fit in the car anyway.
“Vivian, you’re…”
Grandma Faulkner watched the scene unfold with mild astonishment before speaking up. “You didn’t go to work? Did Shaw tell you what’s been happening at home these past few days?”
“Mhm.”
Vivian sat down next to Grandma Faulkner, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to comfort her. “Grandma, it’s alright now. With me here, no one will dare say a word.
“This Lawyer Donovan definitely took a bribe to come here and spout this nonsense. His reasoning is complete and utter bullshit. Just ignore him, and don’t let it stress you out!
“Wait for me for a bit. I’m going to take a quick trip to the police station to deal with this lawyer, and then I’ll come right back to keep you company.”
“…”
Grandma Faulkner sighed. Finding it hard to argue, she could only let Vivian handle it her way.