Chapter 24

Only Winnie herself remained calm, smiling softly as she waited for them to finish. She spoke coldly, "Out of line? If I remember correctly, it wasn't me who exposed the scandal of the Anderson Group a few days ago?"

Sophia's face stiffened. The surrounding ladies and debutantes also realized something and the room fell silent.

Sophia tried to suppress her anger and calmly explained, "Winnie, those were all fake. They have already been debunked-"

"Oh? Is that so? Then, why have I heard that my father hasn't spoken to you these past few days? What is the truth, I wonder?" Winnie laughed gently and turned to leave.

Everyone had different expressions, awkwardly dispersing. Ava looked at their backs and stomped her foot in dissatisfaction.

"Mom! Is that how she humiliates you? Are you just going to let it go like that? Look at how smug she looks!"

Sophia's eyes filled with hatred. "Don't worry, after tonight, she won't have the right to act so arrogantly anymore!"

...

The charity auction was scheduled to start at nine o'clock but it was only seven o'clock and Winnie was weaving through the venue while Sophia and her daughter were nowhere to be seen.

Winnie had a vague feeling that something was wrong. They wouldn't let her off so easily.

At that moment, Winnie passed by the kitchen and caught a whiff of medicine. She furrowed her brow and sniffed again, identifying several types of medicine used for gynecological treatments.

Her eyes narrowed and she thought of Ava's fake miscarriage, a hint of a cold smile curved her lips.

She deliberately asked a servant, "Who's brewing medicinal herbs here? Isn't there anyone at home who needs them?"

The servant had long stopped caring about her and just chuckled without answering.

Winnie walked away, thinking that Ava's pregnancy was unstable to the point where she was desperate enough to drink medicine.

Suddenly, there were barking dogs and crying sounds outside the door. Sophia's sharp voice came, "Winnie! Look, your dogs just bit someone!"

Winnie's eyebrows furrowed. She paused for a moment and quickly walked out. Sophia had the servants subdue the two dogs and walked over, speaking in a friendly tone,

"These two dogs have been misbehaving recently, I don't know what's wrong with them. They almost bit our guest just now. Winnie, you're the owner of the dogs. If they really hurt someone, you can't escape responsibility. I'll have them removed, alright?"

Winnie carefully looked at the crying little girl and then glanced at the dogs. The dogs' eyes showed anger, telling Winnie that they hadn't bitten anyone.

Her dogs were very intelligent. Winnie's eyes softened slightly, surprising the guests and she could only agree, "Where should they be placed?"

"The servants will take them to the small building in the back mountain." Sophia stared at her.

Winnie was afraid they would harm the dogs so she said, "I'll go with them."

Sophia nodded and after Winnie left, she revealed a deep and sinister smile. The little bitch took the bait. Arriving at the small building in the back mountain, Winnie squatted down and said to the dogs, "I'll take you away tonight."

Just as she was about to stand up, a servant suddenly lifted her up then began taking both her and the dogs and locked them in the basement.

"What are you doing?" Winnie was startled, her eyes emitting a cold chill.

The burly male servant took out a contract and threw it in front of Winnie.

"I'm sorry, Winnie Anderson but the lady asked you to sign this transfer document as a wedding gift to Ava Anderson."

It was a contract from the resort. Winnie's face turned cold. This was her grandfather's possession and she knew that even if the Anderson family took it away, a personal signature was still required for the transfer.

The male servant pressed down on her hand and wrote her name then they closed the door and left. She and the dogs were still trapped here.

Winnie looked up at the crack in the window. The moon was cold and emitted a clear and cold glow. Winnie couldn't help but feel that something was off.

If a contract was all Sophia sought, then her decision to restrain her raises questions about her true intentions. What's even stranger is that she was locked up with her dogs. Strange things have been happening tonight and Winnie didn't understand why Sophia wanted to involve her dogs.

Her heart was beating fast and sinking. Winnie realized that if Sophia had locked her up here, it definitely wasn't just for a contract. She had another purpose.

Winnie turned her head and looked at the innocent dogs, lost in her thoughts.

It was almost eight o'clock and the auction would start at nine o'clock. Winnie clenched her hands tightly, her breathing becoming heavy. The unease in her heart grew stronger...

Suddenly, the door banged open again. Two male servants rushed in and dragged her two dogs out.

"What are you doing? What are you going to do to them?" Winnie stood up and tried to stop them.

"Winnie, you're really beautiful. Maybe I'll be able to have you after tonight." One of the servants arrogantly touched her face.

The other servant said, "Stop blabbering. Did you forget that she may be mentally ill? She might bite you later."

They quickly dragged the dogs out. Winnie tried to decipher their actions. She began to worry about the safety of her dogs and the unspoken motive of Sophia's actions.

Strange things had been happening tonight. Winnie paced around the room and suddenly she trembled. The servant's words "she may be mentally ill" pierced through her thoughts.

Winnie figured out Sophia's plan and took a sharp breath. She forcefully suppressed the chill at the corner of her eyes.

Once again, it was such a cruel and cunning scheme. Sophia was truly evil. Winnie's mind was filled with shock and a cold smile formed at the corner of her mouth. Luckily, she figured it out.

She immediately took out her phone and called Olivia.

Olivia managed to sneak into the mansion after some effort. She had just arrived at the banquet hall when she received Winnie's call about the situation.

She quickly ran to the backyard, indignant and furious. "They actually dared to lock you up..."

"Shhh, Olivia!" Winnie's face tightened unusually and she lowered her voice urgently. "Listen, go and help me with something."

Olivia noticed the coldness in Winnie's voice and sensed that something was different. She leaned in closer and Winnie said, "There are drugs in the kitchen, you have to get me out."

Olivia's expression changed as she listened. She rescued Winnie from the basement and clenched her teeth. "This wicked mother and daughter actually came up with such a poisonous plan. Winnie, you must find a way to turn the tables on them."

"Naturally." Winnie calmly stared into the night. Sophia wanted to kill her dogs and she needed to save them but she didn't know where they were.

Just then a figure approached from behind and respectfully called her, "Ms. Winnie, is there anything I can help you with?"

Winnie suddenly turned around and saw the driver who had been chauffeuring her these past few days. She was pleasantly surprised and guessed, "Did Mr. Rodriguez send you?"

The driver answered, "Mr. Rodriguez instructed me to help you if needed."

Winnie internally criticized the man for being heartless yet meticulous. A subtle emotion flashed through her but having a driver was lucky. Winnie gave him a few instructions and they went together to find the dogs.

The driver rescued the dogs, bringing a sense of relief to Winnie's heart and she finally took a breath.

Next, her eyes shone with a cold glint as she squinted at the busy banquet hall. Olivia should have already taken care of things. She gave a signal and the driver went to handle the rest.

Being aware of Sophia's devious ploy, Winnie has devised a perfect plan for payback.

With clenched fists and a chilling smile, Winnie vowed to make them regret for underestimating her.