Chapter 282

In contrast to the chaos at the Rogers family, Yvonne had been keeping a low
profile.
Apart from eating and sleeping, she spent all her time organizing the materials Queena had given her.
The documents contained evidence of the Rogers family’s tax evasion, as well as proof of medical malpractice and illegal earnings.
But the Rogers family had been operating in Istra for years and was deeply entrenched. It was unrealistic to think this evidence alone could bring them down. Acting rashly would only tip them off and put her in danger.
Yvonne followed the information Queena provided, digging through more records.
The Rogers family’s hospital had always had a good reputation in Istra. But with so many cases of malpractice, surely some of the victims or their families must have noticed something.
Yet, all of these incidents had been suppressed. The Rogers family had remained stable and secure for years.
Yvonne couldn’t help but suspect that the Rogers family had a powerful backer.
Yvonne pressed her forehead, her head throbbing.
Years ago, she was assigned to investigate the Gonzalez Group. She never imagined that the Gonzalez family’s case and Colin’s were so intertwined, with increasingly powerful figures behind the scenes.
Now, Yvonne had no idea what powerful figures she would uncover behind the Rogers family.
By the time Yvonne finished organizing the Rogers family’s files, it was already Thanksgiving.
So, Yvonne was once again dragged to the James family’s home by Teresa and Jeffrey.
Mr. James Sr. had had an affair, resulting in four children from two different mothers. They were hardly one big happy family.
Yvonne couldn’t understand Mr. James Sr.’s mentality. He insisted on bringing all his children together, deceiving himself with a facade of family harmony.
So hypocritical.
Perhaps because of how fiercely Yvonne had acted last time, Mrs. James Sr. and her two children finally stopped trying to provoke them.
For once, the family dinner was relatively peaceful.
After dinner, Mr. James Sr. gathered the family to talk.
It was less of a conversation and more of a monologue from Mr. James Sr., with everyone else expected to listen.
Mr. James Sr. got straight to the point, addressing his eldest son, Jerome. “Your eldest daughter is graduating and coming home soon, isn’t she?”
“Yes, Dad. She studied business administration. She can join the company and help
me out when she gets back,” Jerome replied immediately.
The power structure in Istra had shifted dramatically over the years.
The Thompson family, the wealthiest and leader of the four great families, was in a league of its own. The Taylor and Rogers families had held steady, but the James family dealing in a declining industry, was well past its prime, barely clinging to its status as a
top-tier family.

Jerome, the eldest son, was remarkably mediocre. If the James family’s business
fell into his hands, it would surely decline completely.
And while Joshua was favored, he was barely capable of maintaining the status quo His intelligence only seemed impressive when compared to Jerome’s; he couldn’t hold a candle to the meticulously groomed heirs of other prominent families.
Mr. James Sr. had exhausted himself worrying about the James family’s future.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, Mr. James Sr. had decided to use the family’s young women, planning to arrange marriages for his granddaughter and grand-niece.
“When she returns, I’ll arrange for her to meet the Rogers family’s second young master. It’s good for young people to get to know each other Theyll have a foundation for their marriage.”
Jerome was stunned.
Everyone in their circle knew that Darcy was a good-for-nothing playboy who did nothing but waste his time and money.
“Dad, I won’t allow it!” For his daughter’s sake, Jerome dared to defy the old man. He was a good father, at least.
But in this house, Mr. James Sr.’s word was absolute. He could not be defied.