Chapter 232

Elspeth's world spun violently.

The realization hit her like a freight train—her hatred wasn't directed at Evadne anymore. No, it was Edith, that cunning viper who had played her daughter like a puppet.

The room erupted into chaos, voices clashing like thunder.

The truth was undeniable now—Glynnis wasn't the victim. She was the architect of this counterfeit scandal.

Reporters' fingers flew across keyboards, headlines exploding across screens:

BREAKING: Ashbourne Heiress Revealed as Legendary Designer Aleat!

Beauty AND Brains—What Other Secrets Does She Hold?

The Abernathy Group's Glynnis had crossed a line no one dared to. Counterfeiting for a superstar? Who had the audacity? When would Elspeth and her daughter stop their theatrics?

Glynnis stood frozen, her face ashen. In just six months, she'd become the center of another scandal—bigger, uglier than her humiliating press conference apology.

Desperate, Elspeth turned to Thaddeus, her voice dripping with venom. "Thaddeus! As Abernathy Group's president and Glynnis' brother, are you really going to let them tear her apart?"

Her nails dug into her palms. "I may not be your mother, but Glynnis shares your blood! How can you side with an outsider over family?"

Thaddeus' gaze darkened like a storm. "Outsider?"

"Who else?" Elspeth spat, jerking her chin toward Evadne.

Thaddeus glanced at Evadne, his voice cutting. "She doesn't qualify."

Evadne arched a brow. What is this man on about now?

Elspeth's face twisted. "You—you're nothing but a lust-driven fool!"

"Better than a greed-poisoned one."

Thaddeus pulled out his phone, his tone lethal. "Gordon. Bring her in."

Evadne frowned. What game is he playing?

The doors swung open again.

All eyes locked onto Gordon as he wheeled in a masked figure.

"Thaddeus, what the hell?" Evadne hissed, tugging his sleeve.

His Adam's apple bobbed. "I'm returning what's rightfully yours."

Evadne's gaze snapped to the wheelchair.

Then—

The woman lifted a trembling hand and removed her mask.

Caroline Porter.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Only Glynnis recoiled as if struck by lightning, her face drained of color.

Evadne's breath caught. She looked from Caroline to Thaddeus, his expression unreadable.

The puzzle pieces clicked.

Caroline had been in an accident—but she wasn't brain-dead.

Thaddeus had orchestrated it all. Let Glynnis think she was safe. Then—boom—shattered her illusions.

Evadne's lips curled. Clever.

"Isn't she that disgraced reporter?" someone muttered.

"The one caught red-handed on live TV!"

"Should've buried herself in shame. Why's she here?"

Caroline inhaled shakily. "I'm here to confess."

Her voice cracked. "I owe President Ashbourne an apology."

She straightened. "I'm Caroline Porter, former reporter for Pioneer Post. I was bribed to steal Ada's wedding designs from someone close to President Ashbourne and sell them to competitors. That breach cost her the Ada collaboration."

The room went still.

Sympathetic eyes turned to Evadne.

With her Aleat revelation, she seemed almost ethereal—too pure for this cutthroat world.

"Who bribed you?" a reporter demanded.

"Was your accident an assassination attempt?"

Caroline's finger shot out, pointing straight at Glynnis.

"She did it!"

Avery's grip tightened around Evadne's waist, his voice low. "Can you walk? Should I call an ambulance?"

She forced a smile. "I won't die today."

Avery—usually ice-cold, untouchable—felt something in his chest splinter. Seeing her like this ignited a protectiveness he'd never known.

"I've got you," he murmured, shielding her as they moved.

"Sir, who are you?" a reporter called.

"Avery Chambers. Chambers Group."

The name sent shockwaves through the room.

Chambers Group? The empire rivaling Abernathy?

Of course. Only men from dynasties like Abernathy or Chambers could stand beside Skyrim's wealthiest woman—now revealed as a design genius.

"Mr. Chambers, are you and Ms. Ashbourne involved?"

"Dating?"

Evadne barely suppressed an eye-roll.

Must everything be romantic? Can't we just be siblings?

Avery's gaze never left her. "I'm Evadne's protector." A beat. "And her suitor."

Evadne's eyes widened.

The room exploded.

Cameras flashed like lightning.

Then—

A figure cut through the chaos, yanking Evadne from Avery's arms.

Thaddeus.

"Let go!" she gasped, pain lancing through her.

He ignored her, his jaw clenched, desperation etched into every line of his body.

The crowd gaped. Who was this? Protector No. 2?

In the hallway, Evadne wrenched free—only for Thaddeus to seize her wrist and pull her flush against him.

"Thaddeus, have you lost your mind?"

His breath came ragged, eyes glistening. "Evadne. What do I have to do?" His voice broke. "What will it take for you to stop pushing me away?"

She scoffed. "You're delusional."

His grip tightened. "Do you think I can't protect you? Or are you trying to humiliate me?"

He'd seen it all—Avery's declaration, the way he'd touched her.

His wife. His love.

Being stolen in broad daylight.

The agony was unbearable.

"One," Evadne counted, her voice glacial.

"Evadne—"

Swish.

A blade flashed, its tip hovering over his heart.