315: Unraveling the Conspiracy

In the dimly lit living room of their family home, the atmosphere was tense. Emma, Maxwell, and their father gathered around the worn leather sofa, each of them wrestling with the latest revelation about Lillian's involvement in the scandal. Maxwell leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together, his mind racing. "If Lillian's really behind this, it means she planned it all along. But why? Have any of us done anything to offend her recently?" Emma shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "It's absurd to think we offended her. It's always been the other way around. This whole thing feels twisted." Their father, seated in his high-backed armchair, stroked his chin, pondering the implications. "I'll make some calls, see what I can find out. But we should also consider Alex. If he knows about this, he might side with Lillian. You know family loyalty runs deep for him." Maxwell sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I want to clear things up with Alex, but approaching him might complicate things even further if he’s already aligned with Lillian." Emma interjected, her voice firm. "Why are we even considering confronting Lillian directly without any proof? We should be gathering evidence on our own first. There’s no need to tip her off that we’re onto her." As the discussion continued, Emma suddenly paused, a new thought crossing her mind. "Wait, you mentioned he's in the hospital dealing with relationship issues... that timing doesn't add up. It doesn’t make sense for him to stir trouble now." The siblings exchanged glances, sensing Emma was onto something. She stood up abruptly, her resolve hardening. "Stay here. I’ll take care of this. Once I have more information, I’ll let everyone know." Just as Emma reached the front door, a surge of noise erupted from outside. Peering through the peephole, she saw a swarm of reporters converging on their doorstep. Maxwell joined her at the door, his expression one of disbelief. "How did the press get wind of this? We’ve kept everything under wraps so far. Could Lillian have tipped them off?" Emma turned back from the door, her mind racing. "This doesn’t seem like Lillian’s handiwork. She’s not usually this cunning because she lacks such brainpower. Someone else might be manipulating the situation." They retreated from the door, Maxwell pacing the floor. "We need to check in with Wayne. If they’re targeting us, he might be in trouble too." Emma nodded and pulled out her phone, ready to make the call. Meanwhile, their father finally spoke up, his voice tinged with weariness. "In business, making enemies is part of the game. But recently, things have been quiet. Wayne would’ve mentioned if there were any serious threats." Maxwell ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice. "But look at what’s happening, Dad! It’s not just about business anymore. It's personal, and it's affecting all of us. Why didn’t you warn us sooner?" Their father had no immediate reply, the gravity of the situation rendering him silent. Emma dialed Wayne’s number, but the call went straight to voicemail. She glanced back at her family, determination set in her eyes. "I'll get to the bottom of this. Someone is trying to ruin us, and I won't let that happen. We need to stay alert and protect each other." As she spoke, the room filled with a newfound resolve. They would not let this crisis tear them apart. Instead, it would be the catalyst that brought them closer together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead as a united front.