Survey Results（1）

After her conversation with her grandfather in the study, Emma returned to her room, finally feeling a slight sense of relief. Although there was still much to do to thwart William and the Williams family, she knew she had taken steps to prepare herself this time. She clenched her fists tightly, her eyes burning with a determined light. "William, Williams family, things will never go as you wish again," she thought resolutely.

However, before she could organize her thoughts and decide on her next course of action, her phone buzzed loudly on the table, interrupting her train of thought. Glancing at the screen, Emma's heart skipped a beat when she saw the name "Detective Rick" flashing. "Already? Has he uncovered the results so soon? Truly worthy of his reputation as one of the best detective agencies," she mused. Without hesitation, she answered the call, her tone filled with a mix of urgency and anticipation.

"Detective Rick, good evening! Have you found anything regarding the matter I commissioned you to investigate?" she asked, her voice steady yet eager.

On the other end of the line came Rick's characteristic deep voice, laced with a hint of displeasure. "Miss Emma, it seems you've landed me in quite the trouble this time. Your investigation has dragged me straight into the murky waters of your aristocratic family rivalries and business conflicts."

Emma's heart tightened at his words. It was clear that Detective Rick had stumbled upon something far from ordinary. Sensing the tension, she immediately tried to clarify, "Detective Rick, what exactly do you mean? I merely suspected some dishonest behavior among the household staff and wanted to confirm my suspicions. I had no idea this would lead to something so complex."

Rick let out a sharp, humorless laugh, followed by a brief pause before continuing, "The detailed report has already been sent to your email. But let me tell you this—your family's butler, Joseph, has been engaging in significant financial dealings with certain individuals from the Williams family. This is no simple case of petty theft, Miss Emma. You've dragged me into a major storm, and it's far from a trivial matter."

Emma's heart jolted, her suspicions immediately confirmed. Joseph. Her instincts had been correct—this outwardly loyal butler had been secretly colluding with members of the rival family. Suppressing her growing anger, she quickly noticed the frustration in Rick's voice. She softened her tone, hoping to soothe him.

"Detective Rick, your efficiency and professionalism are truly impressive. I deeply appreciate the risks you've taken. As a token of my gratitude, I will increase your commission by an additional one million dollars. Consider it compensation for the challenges this case has brought you."

A moment of silence followed her words before Rick's voice returned, now slightly less irritable. "The full details are in the report I've sent to your email. Take a look, and if you have any further questions, you know where to find me." Without another word, he hung up decisively.

Staring at the now-dark screen of her phone, Emma let out a slow breath, her tension easing slightly. Wasting no time, she powered up her computer and opened her email. There it was, sitting at the top of her inbox—a message labeled "Investigation Report." She clicked on it with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, her eyes quickly scanning the attached document for answers.

Emma's gaze lingered on the section of the report detailing Joseph's activities, her mood growing heavier with every word she read. The report meticulously laid out the trajectory of Joseph's aberrant behavior over the past few years. It all began three years ago when he developed a gambling addiction. Although he occasionally managed small wins, his losses far outweighed his gains. A year ago, he suffered a particularly devastating loss, accumulating a staggering $8 million in debt to a casino.

This revelation brought back memories for Emma of Joseph's unusual behavior during that period—his repeated mistakes at work and his frequent displays of anxiety. Now the truth was clear: his erratic behavior stemmed from the immense pressure of being relentlessly pursued by the casino for repayment.

Ultimately, the debt was settled by a member of the Williams family's extended branch. After this intervention, Joseph appeared to have turned over a new leaf, maintaining an uncharacteristic restraint for about three months, seemingly determined to quit gambling for good. However, his resolve proved short-lived. Over the past six months, he had fallen back into his gambling habits with renewed fervor, recklessly placing bets and accruing nearly $5 million in fresh debts. Once again, the same member of the Williams family stepped in, covering $3 million of the amount. Shockingly, the remaining $2 million had been embezzled from the Smith family's finances to settle his gambling losses.

As Emma absorbed this information, her frown deepened, and a surge of anger rose within her. The fact that Joseph's direct connection was not with William himself but rather with a member of the Williams family spoke volumes about William's caution and the discreet manner in which he operated. From the timeline outlined in the report, it was evident that the Williams family's "generosity" was far from coincidental—it was a calculated move to bribe Joseph. And Joseph, willingly accepting this "favor," had not only aligned himself with the Williams family but had also colluded with William, ultimately betraying the Smith family in a slow, deliberate descent into treachery.

Emma gently rubbed her temples, her mind racing with plans. For the safety of her grandfather and mother, this internal threat within the family had to be dealt with swiftly. However, she knew that any actions taken had to be carefully orchestrated to avoid drawing suspicion from the Williams family—or William himself.

Her eyes settled on the final line of the report: "Joseph has been manipulating Smith family procurement processes and accepting bribes from several small companies, amassing approximately $2 million in illicit gains over the past six months." This sentence sparked a sudden idea in Emma's mind. Perhaps she could use this particular detail to set a trap for Joseph, forcing him to expose himself. By doing so, she might create the leverage needed to not only oust him from the Smith family but also dismantle any ties he had with the Williams family once and for all.