Chapter 234 - 233: Is your popularity really that bad?

Caleb Lowell quickly wrote a long list of names, folded the paper several times, and tucked it into her hand.

He didn’t forget to add, "Remember, always put yourself first. Use the family’s connections freely. If you run into any trouble, back out immediately. Your uncle isn’t useless, you know."

Their family didn’t hold any extreme views on parenting. They wouldn’t shelter the younger generation under their wings until they became naive and worldly ignorant, nor would they constantly belittle, suppress, and distrust them, grinding them into the dust.

Instead, they gave them plenty of opportunities to gain experience, praising them when praise was due and working them like slaves when necessary.

Otherwise, what was the point of having children? Was it because they had too much rice in the pantry or too much money in the bank?

And if worst came to worst, the family was always there as a safety net, though Yvonne Lowell probably didn’t need it.

But admitting that a younger member of the family was more brilliant than you were was nothing to be ashamed of.

"Relax, I have my own people. But Uncle, are you really this unpopular?" Yvonne Lowell said, her tone teasing.

She hadn’t gotten a clear look at who was on it, but the list of names was absurdly long—you couldn’t even skewer that many candied fruits on a stick.

’I thought this would help narrow down the investigation, but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference.’

The smile on Caleb Lowell’s face froze for a moment. He bent his knuckles and rapped her gently on the head.

"Getting bold, are we? Making fun of your uncle now?! Weren’t you the one who said you wanted a list of everyone, good and bad?"

"Of course not. My uncle is wise and thorough," Yvonne Lowell said with a sheepish grin.

After a pause, she added, "Oh, right, I’m heading back to Lowell Manor first. Nina will probably be exhausted later, so just have someone send her some food. Don’t worry too much."

Caleb Lowell frowned slightly. "You’re going to see Sheryl Avery? Is that really necessary?"

"Yes. She can’t contact the outside world right now anyway. I’m just going to go enjoy the show."

Yvonne Lowell rubbed her fingertips together. It was true she had a soft spot for sweet and gentle beauties, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t take down a nasty, ugly woman.

’What do you do when a child misbehaves? They’ve probably been put up to it. One good thrashing and they’ll learn their lesson.’

"Alright, then. Be careful. Have Leo Loster take a few men with you. Call me if anything happens."

"Okay, don’t worry. Zachary is already on his way to Lowell Manor."

Yvonne Lowell said her goodbyes to the others and left in one of the Lowell family’s cars.

Meanwhile, Leo Grant drove to his company, leaving Silas Lynch at the hospital.

Caleb Lowell stood ramrod straight by the window, his gaze fixed in a certain direction, his eyes simmering with a bone-chilling cold.

At first, he felt that given his age and background, moving up the ranks now would garner more suspicion than trust, so he had wanted to lie low and bide his time in his current position for a few more years.

Furthermore, because of his father-in-law and his brother-in-law, he had stayed out of any factional conflicts.

But some people were all claws and no brains, and their claws had grown so long they started reaching into his own home.

So they couldn’t blame him for showing no mercy.

...

「Lowell Manor.」

By the time Yvonne Lowell arrived, she could already see Zachary Jacobs’s flashy car parked in the driveway.

As she stepped out of the car, a middle-aged man in his early forties approached her.

"Miss Lowell." Leo Loster’s face was as stoic as ever, but it was clear he was trying his best to soften his expression.

Yvonne Lowell nodded slightly and smiled at him. "Uncle Lowell, where is she?"

"She made a special trip to the main house this morning to fish for information from Aunt Joy. She just got back to her own place not long ago."

Yvonne Lowell nodded knowingly. "The family has had a major incident, so a thorough, house-wide search is perfectly normal, right? And it’s not unreasonable that the person in charge of the food should be the first one investigated."

"Understood. I’ll arrange it at once," Leo Loster promptly replied.

"Then let’s go. I’ll drop by for a little chat with her."

"Wait for me! Take me with you!" Zachary Jacobs yelled, darting out from the main house.

Leo Loster called over a few of his most trusted men and followed Yvonne Lowell toward a smaller building set off to the side.

He had just learned from the Second Master that this was the work of his political rival, and that this Avery woman was merely a pawn. The mastermind was hidden deep, which was why he only brought his most trusted men.

The pay and benefits for working for the Lowell family were second to none among the wealthy elite.

Aside from the old retainers whose families had served the Lowells for generations, like Butler Grant’s, even the regular servants lived in fully-equipped single rooms.

To say nothing of a ’skilled professional’ like her. She lived in the same building as the medical team and had a one-bedroom apartment all to herself as her dorm.

When Leo Loster went to her door and knocked, it took a long time for Sheryl Avery to answer.

When she saw Yvonne Lowell standing outside, she was clearly taken aback but quickly composed herself, putting on her usual gentle smile.

"You must be Miss Lowell, correct? Is there something I can help you with?"

"Oh, nothing really. The security team is conducting a search, aren’t they? I just thought I’d come by and watch. I trust Nutritionist Donovan doesn’t mind?"

Yvonne Lowell didn’t even spare her a glance, her eyes fixed on her own fingernails.

Sheryl Avery froze for a second. "What search?"

"Grandfather had an incident, but the doctors can’t find the cause of his illness. So, the entire manor needs to be searched from top to bottom. And now, it’s your room’s turn. What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient for you?" Yvonne Lowell watched her, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Of course not. It’s my duty to cooperate with the investigation."

Sheryl Avery’s expression was a mask of innocence, but the hand behind her back was clenched into a tight fist.

Seeing her brazen act, Yvonne Lowell laughed inwardly and was the first to step into the apartment.

"Uncle Lowell, you’ve seen drug bust movies, right? They usually check places like the toilet tank, hollow tiles, skincare bottles, and even personal garments. Those are all high-probability hiding spots, so don’t miss anything."

"Don’t worry, Miss Lowell. I’ve seen my fair share of those shows."

Leo Loster waved his hand, and his men immediately began to search the apartment.

With a cold expression, Sheryl Avery moved to block the entrance to her bedroom.

"The security team is all men. Isn’t searching my personal clothing going too far? Miss Lowell, you’re a woman, you should understand. Besides, if the Old Master and Madam were here, they would never allow you to do this!"

Yvonne Lowell’s lip curled into a sneer. ’Is this woman’s face made of leather?’

’How is she so thick-skinned? Trying to take the moral high ground with me? And she has the nerve to bring up my grandparents?’

"Of course I understand. Which is why, if nothing is found, I will personally compensate you for ten times the original value of anything that gets damaged. Or is it that... Nutritionist Donovan has something to hide?"

"Miss Lowell, why are you twisting my words? I haven’t done anything wrong. My conscience is clear, and I’m not afraid of any search. But what I am talking about is my right to privacy! I was hired by the Lowell family for my skills; that doesn’t mean I can be pushed around at your whim!"

Sheryl Avery stood her ground in the doorway, growing more composed as she spoke, refusing to budge an inch.

’Well, that solves it,’ Yvonne thought. ’She’s an idiot. She actually thinks she can get out of this just by taking the moral high ground.’

Yvonne Lowell picked at her ear impatiently. "Gag her and pull her aside. She’s too noisy."