Chapter 193

Olivia Sinclair looked serious. "What's going on outside? Are those people just loitering?"

"Miss Hartley, you had quite the security detail keeping me away earlier." Alexander Hayes' voice dripped with sarcasm. "They looked exhausted, so I let them rest. Considerate of me, don't you think? Or perhaps you're nervous about my presence because of what you did to the Whitmore family?" His expression remained frosty.

Several guests exchanged puzzled glances. Julian Hawthorne, a Whitmore relative, had been allowed entry. Why was Alexander being blocked?

Evelyn Hartley clenched her jaw. "It's my birthday celebration. I decide who gets invited. You and I aren't exactly friends. Instead of interrogating me, why don't you ask Olivia why she brought Isabella here without telling you?"

Alexander's gaze shifted between Olivia and Isabella after Evelyn's sharp retort.

Isabella Rossi felt a twinge of guilt. She hadn't anticipated this situation and had followed Olivia's lead in keeping everything from Alexander.

Alexander's tone softened as he addressed Isabella. "What are you afraid of? I know Olivia asked you to keep this from me. I'm not blaming you."

Olivia, appearing weary, managed a faint smile for Alexander, silently communicating that he shouldn't have come since it only brought him trouble.

Alexander shook his head. "How could I stand by while they slander you?"

A voice from the crowd interjected, "Mr. Hayes, you seem close to Olivia. Are you aware of her questionable activities?"

Before Alexander could respond, another voice cut in, "He's probably clueless. Don't tolerate that behavior!"

"Mr. Hayes, now that you're here, your cousin has video evidence and witnesses. Don't let Olivia keep deceiving you. See her for who she truly is."

"Exactly," another voice chimed in agreement.

Alexander's expression turned icy. He spoke with deliberate intensity, "Though I wasn't present earlier, I know everything that happened. I came specifically to set the record straight. My grandfather has always treated Olivia like family, and she's shown him nothing but respect. There's never been anything inappropriate between them. So tell me, what exactly is your agenda?"

As he spoke, Alexander locked eyes with Julian.

Julian felt the weight of Alexander's stare, a chill running down his spine. But retreat wasn't an option now. Facing near-certain failure, he decided to double down, hoping his gamble might still pay off.

Julian raised his voice with feigned concern. "Alexander, you've always respected our grandfather and been kind to Olivia. Now, with this scandal involving the two people you trust most, I understand you don't want to face it. But can you really ignore the video evidence? How do you explain our grandfather wanting to leave part of his estate to Olivia, who isn't even family? I believe Olivia manipulated our grandfather. He's as much a victim as we are. We need to stand together and hold Olivia accountable!"

Julian spoke with apparent sincerity, portraying himself as genuinely concerned for Alexander and the Whitmore family.

Alexander's smile was cold as he countered, "You're absolutely certain about the nature of my grandfather's relationship with Olivia? Would you be willing to swear to it?"

Julian stood his ground. "I'm completely certain. I witnessed it myself, and the video confirms everything."

Ignoring Julian, Alexander turned and suggested, "Arguing is pointless. Let's ask the person directly. That will reveal the truth."

Julian instantly sneered, "You think Olivia will admit to anything? She'll deny everything to save herself. Asking her is useless."

Alexander gave Julian a peculiar smile. "Who said I intended to ask Olivia?"

Suddenly, realization dawned on Julian, his smirk fading. Yet a flicker of hope remained - William was supposedly too ill to leave his bed. Alexander likely hadn't contacted him.

Julian had briefed his mother Eleanor before executing his plan. If necessary, she could accelerate William's demise. By then, it would be too late for Olivia to clear her name, and Alexander, due to his closeness with Olivia, would also be implicated.

At that moment, backed by the Hartley and Blackwood families along with various Whitmore relatives, Julian felt confident that he and his mother would soon control the entire Whitmore empire.

With these thoughts, Julian's panic subsided, replaced by smug satisfaction. He resented everyone who had ever looked down on him and his mother. Despite Alexander receiving the finest education the Whitmores could provide, what difference did it make now? Alexander would still be crushed beneath his feet.

Julian couldn't accept their differing fates. They were both Whitmores. If Alexander could inherit the family fortune, why couldn't he?

Just then, the crowd parted as someone pushed William Whitmore's wheelchair forward.

Julian's smug expression froze when he saw William entering, looking healthier than expected, his face full of color. The contrast between Julian's forced smile and his widening, shocked eyes created a ridiculous sight.

"No... this can't be!" Julian panicked, fumbling for his phone to call Eleanor.

Alexander seemed to read Julian's thoughts and spoke deliberately, his words like ice water. "Don't bother calling your mother. I reported her for poisoning my grandfather. She's likely at the police station by now. Julian, forget about scheming with Evelyn against us and Olivia. Your mother's the real problem now. You should focus on getting her out of jail."

Evelyn dismissed Alexander's sarcasm. Even she could see things hadn't gone according to plan.

"What's happening?" Evelyn snapped at Julian. "Explain yourself, Julian!"

Julian stared at William's healthy complexion and felt his world collapsing. His legs weakened as he kept muttering, "Impossible... this is impossible..."

The crowd remained confused, exchanging bewildered glances.

Olivia's eyes welled with tears when she saw William sitting there, completely unharmed.

"Hello, Olivia." William smiled warmly and waved.

Olivia rushed over and embraced William tightly. Nothing else mattered as long as he was safe.

William shot Alexander an angry look. "I told you - if anyone troubles her, you'd better show up immediately. Look how upset she's become."

Olivia straightened up and quickly signed that she was fine.