Chapter 1163

"Grandma, calm down. I'll send someone to find him immediately." Lily turned to Celine. "Please take care of Grandma." Celine nodded.

Lily rushed downstairs, phone in hand. After informing Alexander of the incident, she dispatched someone to search for Ralph, focusing on properties he owned. News arrived quickly. The security team discovered a burning house at the housing estate and alerted the authorities; fire trucks arrived promptly.

By the time Lily and Alexander arrived, the fire department had nearly extinguished the blaze. The once-lavish villa lay in ruins, security guards already documenting the damage. Alexander stood silently before the wreckage, a frown etched on his face.

"Ralph did this," Lily stated, her tone certain. Checking CCTV footage was standard procedure, but they already knew the answer. The house had a history of meticulous fire safety measures implemented during every Russell family renovation; a short circuit was impossible. Furthermore, cleaners visited every few days. The fire followed Ralph's call; he was the only culprit.

"He called Grandma, said he'd destroy what he couldn't have," Lily said calmly, a thought striking her. "That means other houses, other properties…"

"He won't get another chance!" Alexander said coldly. The fire resulted from their unawareness of Ralph's location and underestimation of his desperation. Increased vigilance would prevent future incidents.

Lily looked at Alexander. "What are we going to do about him?"

Alexander, previously reluctant to harshly punish Ralph out of consideration for Margaret, now saw the man's actions as deranged. "Let's find him first!" he said sternly.

Alexander was right. Ralph, consumed by panic, sought only to hide. He hadn't anticipated this outcome. His initial exhilaration had curdled into fear as he watched the fire from a distance. The thought of arrest chilled him.

He had nowhere to go, only Hannah's apartment. He'd ordered a large amount of food earlier; he could hide there, though for how long, he didn't know. He considered checking the news on his phone, then remembered police tracking capabilities and switched it off. He threw the phone aside, crouching on the floor, chest tight.

"Now I have nothing. Absolutely nothing!" The idea of begging for forgiveness had vanished. "Alex will never forgive me for burning down the house. I'm finished."