"Take her away!" Alexander commanded.

Rhea's eyes widened as she struggled frantically. Edward, however, had taped her mouth shut and restrained her limbs; her struggles were futile. They were about to leave the garage when a figure, knife in hand, suddenly appeared and lunged at Edward. The attack, however, was child's play for Edward. He effortlessly sidestepped the blow and retaliated with a swift kick, eliciting a pained cry.

"Mrs. Moore?!" Edward exclaimed, recognizing the attacker.

Alexander, too, recognized Maria. The kitchen knife lay discarded where Edward had knocked her down. Maria clutched her chest, her brow furrowed. "You... Let go of Rhea!"

"Mrs. Moore, it seems you knew your daughter wasn't dead," Alexander said, his voice cold.

Maria fell silent. She had kept the secret from even her husband, but now, with Rhea before her, the deception was exposed.

"Yes, I knew. So what? It's none of your business!" Maria retorted defiantly, her neck rigid. "Release my daughter, or I'll call for help!"

Alexander smiled coldly. "Go ahead. Let everyone know your daughter faked her death. Let the police determine if it's truly her."

The words silenced Maria. The implications of Rhea's faked death—the arranged funeral, the lives Rhea had taken, the Fike family incident—sent a chill down her spine.

"Release her, I beg you! I'll do anything! I'll give you all our family's money! You wanted the business, didn't you? You're La Beaute Group's president. I'll give you the vaccine business—everything! Please, please return my daughter!" Tears and snot streamed down her face as she pleaded.

Alexander observed Maria's desperation. He knew she was unaware of their true motives. She thinks we're after her money and business. How naive.

"Do you even know what the vaccine business entails?" Alexander asked coldly, sneering.

His question stunned Maria. She blinked, then stammered, "Isn't it for the pandemic? It's over now; it's not profitable. I've always said it should be closed down, but..."

Alexander shook his head and stepped forward. Maria, seeing Edward preparing to leave with Rhea, lunged forward, attempting to bite Edward's arm. Edward, however, parried her attack with his elbow and swiftly knocked her unconscious.

Alexander, having witnessed the commotion, turned to Edward.

"She's just unconscious," Edward stated. "Saves us some trouble."