Chapter 320

"Exactly," murmurs rippled through the crowd. "We should see what's going on..."

"Madeline Kingsley fainted. This can't be dropped."

"At least knock and ask..."

Alexander Kingsley's icy gaze swept over the speakers.

The whispers died instantly.

"Alex, I'm seeing this through today!" Madeline shoved away her supporters. "I don't care if this old body breaks!"

"Grandmother, Evelyn Sinclair has nothing to do with me." Alexander's voice was low. "Are you certain about interfering in private matters?"

The matriarch glared at her grandson.

His words denied involvement, yet he shielded that woman at every turn!

"She dared knock me unconscious—this isn't over!" Madeline ground her teeth. "If that door stays shut, I'll die right here!"

"Mother—" Eleanor Kingsley tried to intervene.

"Silence!" Madeline turned back to Alexander. "Will you step aside or not?"

Mrs. Ashford tightened her grip on the keycard.

One nod from Alexander, and everyone would see Evelyn's true colors.

Alexander suddenly smirked. "If things aren't as you claim, how will you compensate?"

"What—what could I possibly owe?"

"Surrender all your Kingsley Group shares." Each word fell like a hammer.

The crowd gasped collectively.

Such stakes were unimaginable!

"Fine!" Madeline slammed her cane down. "If I'm wrong, I'll leave with nothing but the clothes on my back!"

The air froze.

All eyes locked onto Alexander.

After two heartbeats of silence—

"Open it."

The crowd surged forward instantly.

Mrs. Ashford thrust the keycard at a staff member, who swiped it hastily.

Beep. The door unlocked.

Madeline and Melissa Lee charged in first.

A woman's scream pierced the air.

Eleanor began relaxing—then stiffened abruptly.

Madeline trembled as she yanked at the bedcovers. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

Melissa stood rooted, mouth agape.

Mrs. Ashford impatiently tore the sheets away—

"Miss Sinclair certainly has skills—" Her voice cut off.

Curled on the bed lay none other than Victoria Chase!

"Miss Chase?" Eleanor feigned surprise. "Why are you here?"

Madeline looked thunderstruck. "Victoria? Weren't you with me earlier?"

"Tsk. A man's shirt..." Eleanor nudged the discarded clothing, then eyed the open window. "Did he jump out?"

Onlookers immediately spotted fabric snagged on tree branches outside.

"I—I don't know..." Victoria clutched the sheets, deathly pale.

Madeline's mind went blank.

This should've been Evelyn. How did it become Victoria?

"Grandmother, do recall our wager." Alexander's voice stabbed like an icicle.

Madeline shuddered, meeting her grandson's bottomless gaze.

Understanding dawned. Darkness swallowed her vision as she collapsed in truth.

Hospital corridor.

"Aunt Ashford, I was framed!" Victoria grabbed Mrs. Ashford's wrist.

The older woman smiled, withdrawing her hand. "Shall I notify your family to collect you?"

Victoria's blood turned to ice.

Her aristocratic dream had shattered.

One question burned: Where was Evelyn Sinclair?

As the crowd dispersed, only Melissa remained.

At a deserted corner, Victoria suddenly shoved open a conference room door.

"Inside." Her voice dripped venom.

Melissa followed reluctantly.

Lights flickered on.

"What's your game?" Victoria hissed.

"Excuse me?" Melissa played dumb.

"Did you set me up?" Victoria advanced step by step. "Plotting to take my place?"

"Are you insane?" Melissa raised her voice. "You're the one who told me to gather everyone!"

Their glares clashed like drawn swords.

The room reeked of gunpowder.