Chapter 81

Olivia Sinclair stood frozen as William Hayes finished his damning speech. Her breath caught in her throat, eyes widening in shock.

How had William uncovered all this? Did he know about Victoria Clarke's involvement in the arson and cyberbullying? Had he been conducting his own investigation? Was it William, not Alexander, who had silenced the online rumors?

Olivia's fingers trembled as she stared at the elderly patriarch, her mind racing with possibilities.

Across the room, Victoria had turned deathly pale. Her manicured nails dug into her palms as she gasped. "Grandfather, who fed you these lies? None of this is true! I would never—"

"Lies?" William's voice boomed through the grand hall. "I have proof! Do you take me for a senile old man who can't distinguish truth from fiction?"

Victoria's carefully applied makeup couldn't hide her panic.

"Rafael!" William called to his butler. "Fetch the dossier from my study desk immediately."

The butler bowed and hurried upstairs.

Victoria's knees nearly buckled. She knew apologies wouldn't work now. William's temper was legendary in the Whitmore family. Her only chance was discrediting the evidence.

"Grandfather, ask Olivia!" Victoria suddenly cried, pointing at her rival. "Does she truly believe I'm capable of such things? She's framing me because of my friendship with Evelyn!"

The mention of Evelyn Hartley made several family members exchange glances.

"Olivia," Victoria challenged, forcing confidence into her shaking voice. "Can you actually prove any of these accusations?"

She prayed Olivia hadn't gathered concrete evidence. Maybe there was still a way out.

Tears streamed down Victoria's cheeks as she turned pleading eyes to William. To an outsider, she might have appeared the victim.

But William Hayes wasn't easily fooled. His sharp gaze shifted to Olivia, softening slightly. "Do you believe these allegations hold merit?"

All eyes turned to Olivia.

Victoria's desperate stare held silent threats, warning Olivia not to cross her. She'd already decided—if Olivia betrayed her now, she'd run straight to Evelyn. Evelyn would twist the story to Liam Blackwood, and Liam would make Olivia pay.

But Olivia no longer cared about Liam's reactions. Her resolve hardened as she gestured to William that while she hadn't collected proof herself, Victoria's hostility since their first meeting spoke volumes.

William interpreted Olivia's silent response for the room. "Olivia is my honored guest. Any matter concerning her will be investigated personally by me. Victoria, you will answer for your actions."

Victoria trembled, realizing too late that Olivia had ignored her silent threats.

Rafael returned with a leather portfolio.

"Charles!" William barked at Victoria's father.

Charles Hayes stepped forward, his face ashen. His entire body shook, but he couldn't refuse the family patriarch.

"Read it aloud," William commanded. "Let everyone hear."

Despite the late hour, no one dared mention dinner. The tension was palpable.

Charles's voice quavered as he began. "The... the bookstore fire... Police reports indicate—"

"Louder!" William snapped. "Or has hunger stolen your voice?"

Terrified, Charles raised his volume.

The documents painted a damning picture. Even those unaware of the details quickly understood.

The arsonists—hired thugs—had been apprehended. Their testimonies matched perfectly: they'd been hired by Victoria's personal assistant.

The assistant had cracked under questioning, providing message logs and bank transfers linking directly to Victoria. Audio recordings even captured Victoria instructing her assistant to commit the crime.

The investigation also exposed Victoria's role in hiring internet trolls to defame Olivia and Alexander.

With the evidence laid bare, Charles erupted. "How could I have raised such a monster? Did you inherit this wickedness from your mother?"

Charles had remarried after divorcing Victoria's mother.

"Father, please," Victoria begged, falling to her knees. "I made terrible mistakes—"

"You're an adult," Charles said coldly. "Face the consequences."

With a new wife and young son to consider, Charles couldn't afford William's displeasure. Protecting Victoria would jeopardize their future.

"Olivia!" Victoria suddenly turned, crawling toward her rival. "Please, I'm begging you!"

Her voice dropped to a desperate whisper. "I admit everything. You're a good person—forgive me? I'll tell you all of Evelyn's secrets! I'll help you separate her from Liam!"