The Contract Bride of Mr. Reid-Chapter 163: We have proof against you.

The Hill household descended into chaos as their company was targeted. Investors abruptly withdrew their support, and shareholders scrambled to sell off their stocks, sending the stock price plummeting to unprecedented lows.

Inside the company, turmoil erupted. The boardroom turned into a battleground, with board members hurling accusations and arguing heatedly. Amidst the uproar, Mr. Hill, overwhelmed by the sudden downfall, collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital.

When word of the chaos reached Theodore, a cold satisfaction washed over him. This was precisely the outcome he had orchestrated.

"We’ve spread the word to all our clients not to engage with the Hills," Tristan reported with a note of pride in his voice. "Anyone who defies our warning will be considered our enemy. All the Hill Group’s clients canceled their collaborations this morning, and their projects are being terminated one by one. In less than a month, their company will be bankrupt."

"Good," Theodore responded, a slight smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Tristan continued, "Mr. Hill couldn’t handle the blow. He fell ill and had to be taken to the hospital."

Theodore remained expressionless as if the news meant nothing to him. His voice grew colder as he asked, "What about Ivy Hill? I want her to be punished."

Tristan nodded, understanding the weight of the command. "Skyler has already gone to the police station to submit all the evidence. By the end of the day, she’ll be under arrest."

A sneer twisted Theodore’s features. If she hadn’t been a woman, he would have taken matters into his own hands, punishing her directly. But the law would serve its purpose, delivering the retribution he desired.

"Have Skyler meet with me when he returns," he ordered, dismissing Tristan with a wave of his hand.

Tristan nodded, then quietly left the room, leaving Theodore alone with his thoughts, his cold satisfaction evident in his steely gaze.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ivy burst into Zack’s office, her expression a mix of panic and desperation. "Zack, something terrible is happening to my father’s company," she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Someone powerful is targeting us deliberately."

Zack’s eyes narrowed as he tried to process her words. He had been consumed with work all morning, completely unaware of the crisis unfolding at the Hill Group. The news hit him like a bolt from the blue, leaving him stunned and searching for answers. Who could be behind such an attack on the Hills?

"Why do you think someone is targeting the company?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It’s obvious," Ivy replied with urgency. "All of a sudden, every client has terminated their collaborations, projects are getting canceled left and right, and the company’s shares are being sold off in a panic. We’re hemorrhaging money. If this continues, the company will collapse within days. You have to do something!"

Zack was taken aback by the gravity of the situation. So much had happened, and he had been completely oblivious. In truth, he had been avoiding Ivy since the charity party, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Bella. He was still struggling to come to terms with the fact that Bella was married to Theodore.

But now, hearing about the dire straits Ivy’s family was in, a pang of guilt washed over him. The Hills had been there for him when he was down and out when no one else would lend a hand. They had helped him rebuild his life and his business, which was now thriving because of their support.

Zack felt a deep sense of obligation to repay their kindness. Rising from his chair, he walked over to Ivy, who was on the verge of tears.

"First, you need to calm down," he said gently, guiding her to the sofa with a steady hand. "Sit down, take a deep breath." He handed her a glass of water. "Here, drink some water."

Ivy accepted the glass, her hands shaking slightly as she took a sip, trying to steady herself. She blinked her tears away and murmured, "Thank you." She looked at him expectantly. "You will help us, will you?"

Zack nodded, a sense of duty propelling him forward. Even if he didn’t like her, she was still his fiancée. It was his duty to stand by her side in the time of crisis. "I’ll do what I can," he promised.

Knock-Knock...

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by frantic knocks on the door.

"Come in," Zack said turning to the door.

Amy burst into the room, breathless and clearly panicked, as if she had just sprinted down the hall. "Mr. Hudson, the police are here," she blurted out, her words tumbling over each other in her urgency. "They’re looking for Miss Hill." Her eyes flicked toward Ivy, who immediately shot to her feet, her face draining of color.

"Looking for me?" Ivy’s voice wavered, fear tightening her chest. Her hand instinctively reached for Zack’s sleeve. "Zack... Why are the police here? What do they want from me?"

Zack gently patted the back of her hand, trying to calm her. "Relax," he said soothingly. "Let’s go see what this is about."

Ivy’s mind raced with dread as she followed Zack out of the office, her steps unsteady. She feared the worst—that something terrible had happened to her father or that the Hill Group’s situation had taken an even darker turn.

As they stepped into the hallway, they were met with the anxious faces of employees, who had gathered, curious and uneasy. Whispers rippled through the crowd—everyone was wondering why the police were there.

Zack stepped forward, addressing the officers directly. "Yes, officer, how can I help you?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The lead officer barely glanced at Zack. His eyes were fixed on Ivy, who stood behind him, her heart pounding in her chest. "Miss Ivy Hill?" he asked, his tone formal and devoid of warmth.

Ivy nodded curtly and stepped forward, her stomach knotting in anticipation.

"You are charged with kidnapping and murder," the officer stated coldly. "You are under arrest." With a curt nod, he signaled to the policewoman beside him, who approached Ivy with handcuffs.

Ivy’s world spun as the words sank in. Kidnapping? Murder? Her mind struggled to grasp what was happening, but before she could protest, the cold metal of the handcuffs clicked around her wrists.

The office fell into a stunned silence as everyone watched in disbelief. No one could wrap their minds around what they had just heard—how could Ivy Hill be accused of such heinous crimes?

Ivy’s composure shattered. Panic gripped her, and she shouted in desperation, "What nonsense is this? Kidnapping and murder? I’ve never harmed anyone! These accusations are false!"

The lead officer remained unmoved, his expression cold and resolute. "We have proof against you," he stated firmly, cutting through Ivy’s protests like a blade.