Madeline Fitzgerald paused briefly, then plastered on a strained, polite smile.

"Evelyn, why such animosity towards me?"

"Our families have been business partners for a long time."

"Logically, we should be friends..."

Evelyn cut her off sharply, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Spare me the act!"

"Do you really think I'd believe this performance?"

"Have you forgotten who spread those disgusting rumors about me in school?"

"Stop pretending to be nice."

"I see right through you."

Amelia Sterling's face tightened.

She fought to maintain her composed, elegant facade.

Her lips twitched slightly, a barely perceptible sign of her irritation.

Damn Evelyn!

"Evelyn, you're mistaken."

"I had nothing to do with those accusations back then."

"Didn't I provide evidence that cleared my name?" Amelia forced another smile.

Evelyn let out a derisive laugh.

"Evidence?"

"You mean the lies you manufactured?"

"Just like the fake surveillance footage you produced today?"

A flicker of unease crossed Amelia's eyes.

"That footage wasn't altered."

"This is your first time meeting Evelyn, correct?"

"You don't know her true character."

"This isn't the first stunt she's pulled."

Evelyn seethed, watching Amelia's innocent act.

The urge to wipe that smug expression off her face was overwhelming.

Initially, she had believed Evelyn stole Amelia's necklace.

But when Evelyn was forcibly removed, Madeline caught the defiant fire in her eyes.

That look resonated deeply.

It mirrored the expression she herself once wore, drowning under a tide of vicious, humiliating gossip.

Perhaps it was a silent understanding between those wronged.

In that moment, Madeline's heart raced.

A powerful impulse to step in and rescue Evelyn nearly took over.

She was now convinced.

Evelyn was innocent.

She had been framed!

But without solid proof, the Sterling family wouldn't release her.

So, Madeline confided in her friends.

She voiced her suspicions and outlined a plan to uncover the truth.

Fortunately, they supported her.

They agreed to help clear Evelyn's name.

Before they could act, however, Madeline spotted Amelia and Miriam lurking suspiciously.

She didn't hesitate to confront Amelia.

As expected, the woman was utterly insufferable!

Madeline eyed Amelia's arrogant posture and scoffed.

"I may not know Evelyn well."

"But I know exactly what kind of person you are."

"You'd better hope nothing ruins your precious birthday party tonight."

With that, Madeline turned abruptly.

She strode away, pulling her friends along with her.

Amelia clenched her jaw, fury simmering beneath the surface.

"That wretched girl," she muttered under her breath.

"Who does she think she is, challenging me?"

Soon, she would marry the founder of Aethelgard Industries.

Then, she would be the most influential woman in all of Crestwood.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was shoved into a dim storage room on the hotel's ground floor.

"Get in!" The bodyguard pushed her inside and barked, "Stay quiet."

Evelyn stumbled forward, grabbing a metal shelf to steady herself.

A moment later, the door slammed shut.

Complete darkness enveloped the room.