Tony stayed silent.
He was worried.
The concern had been eating away at him for over two decades.
The last thing he wanted was to end up like Belinda, giving away his hard work.
That was why Tony poured everything into the investigation, leaving no stone unturned. He would kill anyone who roused his suspicion.
Many innocent people lost their lives simply because Tony suspected them and killed them by mistake.
Among his list of suspects, only Laurence survived the multiple hits.
Between the hitmen sent by Tony and Manny, all attempts failed. The best outcome they ever achieved was injuring Noelle.
However, Laurence escaped unscathed.
Not only did they fail to kill Laurence, but they had to face Laurence's harsher retaliation.
Noelle was Laurence's most trusted bodyguard, and they were never seen without each other. Roxy believed that Laurence and Noelle were a little too close. It was highly plausible that Noelle was Laurence's woman.
Even Manny believed Noelle was Laurence's lover.
"Pops, I'll lose my mind if we end up like Belinda Fisher," Manny said resentfully.
"Do you think I won't? I'll go mad. If that happens..."
He paused before uttering in defeat, “It is what it is.'
"I don't believe in fate. Nothing is beyond human control. I only believe that things are done by people themselves. I refuse to believe I can't get rid of Laurence!
"Where is Roxy anyway?"
Manny replied, "She's occupied with her business. It's not for a lack of trying, but Roxy just can't get to Laurence. Maybe we should hire another woman without ties to our name.
"Laurence is dead set on eliminating us. He's going to have his guard up against any Longbottom. We can't sway him with a woman.
"We should find a suitable girl, someone easy to manipulate. She can get close to Laurence and do our bidding. It might actually work."
Manny had hoped for Roxy to get a hold on Laurence, but the latter steered clear of women. The only one who could get close to him was Noelle, his bodyguard.
Perhaps Laurence was just too cautious.
Manny had to switch up the game.
Tony and Susan said nothing.
It took a while before Susan chimed in. "You can try. Pick an orphan with a sibling. So long as the sibling is gravely ill, the girl will need funds. That will be our way in.
"Don't let her know that we have chosen her. Just make plans for her to run into Laurence. Laurence is going to run a background check on her."
Manny replied, "I'll find someone to look for a suitable candidate."
"She doesn't have to be pretty, but she needs to be someone who grows on you. Noelle is the same kind. I guess that's Laurence's type."
Manny nodded.
With the family of three coming up with a plan, Manny set the wheels in motion.
Once Manny was gone, Tony and Susan sat in silence.
Tony returned to admiring his antique while Susan read her papers.
A while later, Susan said, "We should send our grandchildren abroad."
"We haven't lost yet."