Chapter 12
Sheila held her phone, her lips curling slowly into a sinister smile
The message had come at just the right time. As long as she got her hands on the video from that night, she could effortlessly destroy Lindsey’s reputation
Eagerly, Sheila headed toward the storage room. She knocked on the door, but there was no response.
For a brief moment, doubt crept into her mind, but her anticipation quickly quashed it Without hesitation. Sheila pushed the door open stepped inside.
nand
Lindsey, Shawn, and Matt were hiding in the shadows nearby. Man seemed excited. “I wonder what’s inside the storage room. If there are a few guys in there, this scene could get really interesting”
“Maybe you’re right” Lindsey replied, glancing at the half–open door with a faint smile. Knowing Olivia’s character, such a setup wasn’t entirely out of the question.
As they whispered, a sudden scream erupted from the storage room, followed by muffled cries as if someone’s mouth had been covered
Mall grew worried. “What if something’s gone wrong? Should we go check?”
Shawn immediately stopped him. “Not yet. Look over there
He pointed to the corridor. Olivia was rushing toward them with a group of people.
“This way, Hurry up! If we let the thief escape, it’ll be a big problem. Let’s get there and catch him off guard,” Olivia said urgently as she ran
But Lindsey saw through in all. She noticed the barely concealed smile on Olivia’s face.
Matt paused, a cold smile tugging at his lips. He blamed himself for being too soft–hearted earlier
Olivia, consumed by urgency, didn’t hesitate. She pushed the door open and began snapping pictures with her phone.
But when she finally saw who was inside, she froze. “Sheila? What are you doing here?”
She was dumbfounded. According to her plan, the person in the room should have been Lindsey
“Stop. Everyone, stop right now. Stop taking pictures. No photos allowed” Olivia spun around, shouting at the people behind her.
When they continued peering inside with growing interest, Olivia resorted to snatching phones from their hands. If these photos got out, Sheila would be utterly humiliated.
Inside the storage room, Sheila was already in a state of shock. The moment she’d entered, she had been tackled to the floor. Then some strangers had started tearing at her clothes, leaving her completely powerless to fight back.
Now, her clothes were in tatters, her body covered in bruises, and she looked utterly disheveled.
Sheila stumbled out of the room, her face burning with shame and fury, She ran to Olivia, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. “Mom, help me she sobbed, clutching Olivia’s arm, her voice full of helplessness.
Olivia, as though having lost her mind, ripped off her coat and draped it over Sheila Palling her daughter into her arms, she glared furiously at the crowd.
“Delete those pictures. All of them. Do you hear me? Her voice was hysterical, but few people paid any attention to her. Most of them were there for the drama, watching with amused indifference.
Anthony arrived at the scene, his face dark and stormy. Taking in the chaotic situation, he shouted, “Who did this?”
No one answered. The only sound in the corridor was Sheila’s muffled sobs.
Frustrated, Anthony had no choice but to prematurely end the party. He dismissed the guests, leaving only the Riley family and the men who had been caught in the storage room
When Anthony noticed Shawn among the crowd, he was about to tell him to leave, but Olivia quickly stepped in to stop him.
“Anthony, they can’t leave. Sheila’s incident hasn’t been resolved yet. Wh stared at Lindsey and the others.
I yet. Who’s to say they aren’t involved?” Olivia’s gaze was filled with venom as she
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Chapter 12
Lindicy frowned, clearly displeased. “Ms. Jennings, how can you make such accusations! You have no evidence—this is pure slander”
“Evidence” Lindsey, you’re asking me for evidence?” Olivia snapped, her face twisted with resentment. She pointed at Shawn. “Then explain why he’s here. His presence is evidence enough”
Anthony’s gare shifted to Shawn, and his expression darkened further.
With a disappointed sigh, he turned to Lindsey. “You’ve gone too far, Lindsey. Collading with others to harm your own behavior is this? I know you don’t like Sheila, but this is beyond immature.”
sister–what kind of
Anthony’s tone was filled with anger and disappointment, as if he wanted to kick her out on the spot. He couldn’t imagine how long family would be the subject of ridicule after this incident.
“If you had grievances, why couldn’t you address them privately? Do you have to make such a spectacle in front of everyone! Do you realize how much humiliation you’ve brought to our family!”
Cue the
Riley
Lindsey’s heart sank. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. “You’re such a great father. No matter what I say, you don’t believe me, but every word from Olivia is gospel to you.
“Just because of some words from her, you’ve already convicted me, complete with motive and crime” She couldn’t hide the bitterness in her tone.
Lindsey, I know you resent me and Sheila, but I’m only speaking based on facts,” Olivia interjected tearfully. “Earlier, I asked you to go to the storage room to fetch something.”
“If you didn’t want to, you could’ve just said so. Why did you have to orchestrate this? How do you expect Sheila to hold her head high after this?” Tears streamed down Olivia’s face as she spoke,
Anthony’s anger deepened as he glared at Lindsey. “Do you have anything else to say for yourself?” he demanded, as if the matter had already been sended.
Lindsey sneered and exchanged a glance with Shawin
Moving swiftly, Shawn took action. The men tied up from the storage room barely had time to react before he had confiscated their phones.
Anthony watched Shawn’s deft movements with a mix of surprise and suspicion. Such skillful handling made him wonder if Shawn was accustomed to stealing things
Though Anthony already thought poorly of Lindsey, he couldn’t tolerate the idea of her associating with a thief, which would bring even greater disgrace to the Riley family.
Unfazed by the tension. Lindsey began examining the phones one by one. Soon, she found what she was looking for and laid the evidence before Anthony and Olivia.
“These men were all in contact with Patrick Jennings, Lindsey stated flatly, showing the message logs. “And here are the texts discussing how much they’d be paid after the job was done. Dad, do you still think I’m the one behind this?”
Lindsey tossed the phone onto the coffee table, her composure masking the storm brewing inside her. Olivia’s trick was despicable. If Lindsey had been the one to enter the storage room today, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Anthony hesitated, turning to Olivia with a conflicted expression. “Olivia, what’s going on?”
Still trying to defend herself. Olivia stammered, “Maybe Lindsey orchestrated this herself to create à fallback plan and shift the blame”
Lindsey chuckled coldly. “Ms. Jennings, are you suggesting that these call logs and text messages are fabricated?”
Olivia’s gaze dared around, avoiding Lindsey’s piercing eyes.
Without another word, Lindsey dialed the number from the call logs. –
The waiting tone sounded briefly before Patrick’s furious voice erupted through the line. “How dare you call me? You couldn’t even handle such a simple task! Forget about the money we agreed on Useless fools! Hello? Hello?
Lindsey ended the call with a smirk. “Ms. Jennings, do you still have anything to say!”
Caught in her lies, Olivia’s mind raced. Her eyes darted before she suddenly collapsed into Anthony’s arms. “Anthony, 1–1 feel so unwell. Please, take me upstairs to rest” she whimpered weakly.
Her feigned vulnerability instantly sent Anthony into a panic. “Alright, don’t move. I’ll carry you upstairs
