Kaitlyn now regarded Vivienne's words as gospel truth. Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded in agreement.
After responding, she looked back at Vivienne, skepticism creeping into her eyes, "But should we really ignore all the stuff online?"
Vivienne cracked a smile, "Let's just let the dust settle for a bit."
Jerry came down the stairs, holding a stack of papers, his black-rimmed glasses reflecting a mysteriously enigmatic light, "Looks like Kipling is backed into a corner. Accusing us of using our influence is one thing, but to say the court's been bribed? Won't be long before the higher-ups squash it."
Leopold, lounging on the couch, made room for him, "Why not just release the evidence we have?"
"Go big or go home. Let's leave them with no room to talk." Just as he finished, Thomas gave him a look as if he'd lost his mind, "Have you gone soft from all the chasing from Sophie? The whole point was to drag the Abernathy family into the light. If you spill all the evidence now, how are we supposed to draw out the real power behind them?"
"We can't just sit on our hands, though." The thought of those radical online comments made Leopold click his tongue in disbelief.
How could people flip-flop so easily, believing whatever they hear?
Percival's eyes flickered with irritation as he glanced down at Vivienne.
When he saw her looking his way, he subtly gestured towards Leopold.
The message was clear: This Leopold's brain isn't quite up to snuff. He's not keepers.
Vivienne felt the same way.
Jerry surveyed the room, facepalming at the embarrassment before he couldn't hold back any longer and punched Leopold lightly, "Who said we're doing nothing? I've got everything ready, just waiting for Vivienne's go-ahead."
Leopold, holding his head, muttered under his breath but didn't dare to voice his complaints aloud. His eyes brightened at Jerry's words, "What, what? Let me see, what do you have there?"
Jerry wasn't planning to keep it secret, so he let the papers go without much resistance.
Leopold gently pulled them away, flipping through the pages with growing astonishment, "This is Kipling's bank statement? Vivienne, you hacked into the bank's system?"
Vivienne rolled her eyes, "Do you forget what we're dealing with here? Do I even need to hack?"
Leopold paused, right! Their current mission was investigating the ancient warrior lineage, and Kipling's connection to Gavin through his sister’s marriage made him an easy target.
Just file a request, and getting the information was a breeze.
Heat rose in Leopold's cheeks as he chuckled sheepishly, lowering his head to keep poring over the documents under the peculiar gazes of his companions.
There wasn't much to see, really. Kipling, a mere director, had nothing but his fixed salary and some mundane expenses, hardly ever exceeding a thousand.
But then he turned the page, "Oh my, this is..." His interest waned, but his eyes suddenly widened, and he cursed in shock.
Thomas, sitting close by, turned his head at the commotion. His cool gaze swept over the figures, freezing for a moment before he hissed under his breath, taking a minute or two before speaking, "Looks like Kipling is playing the victim card."
Kaitlyn wasn't oblivious. Hearing this, her curiosity about the contents was replaced by realization, "Kipling's involved in bribery too?"
Leopold, still in a daze, nodded, "Yeah, and it's not a small amount either! But he's just a director, right? Why are so many people sending him money, and in such large amounts?"
He just couldn't wrap his head around it!
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