Chapter 252

Evelyn was viewing the security footage for the first time.

To her astonishment, the angle made it seem as though she had attempted to save Vanessa, only to be unintentionally pulled down with her.

What an unexpected twist.

This conveniently eliminated the need for further explanations.

The evidence was undeniable—Evelyn was innocent, and Vanessa had orchestrated the entire scene.

Vanessa had deliberately thrown herself down the stairs, then shamelessly accused Evelyn of pushing her.

But the truth was, Evelyn hadn’t laid a finger on her. In fact, her first instinct had been to reach out and help.

Richard, who had once trusted Vanessa implicitly, now stared at her with a mix of betrayal and disbelief.

Margaret, too, seemed unable to recognize the daughter she had raised.

She couldn’t reconcile the sweet, gentle girl she knew with the scheming woman standing before her.

Margaret’s thoughts raced. "Vanessa threw herself down those stairs without hesitation—

The plan had been flawless—or so Vanessa thought. It should have crushed Evelyn just like it did three years ago. How could everything unravel because of a stupid recording?

Fury burned through her veins.

Ethan remained silent, his expression unreadable. That silence gave Vanessa a flicker of hope.

Maybe he still trusts me. Maybe he’s waiting for an explanation. If I can just make him understand…

Her voice shook with desperation. "That video is fake! It’s been edited—Evelyn did push me! She must have cut that part out!"

Claire stared at her like she was insane. "Evelyn’s been unconscious in the hospital since yesterday. I’ve been by her side the whole time. How exactly could she have done that?"

Vanessa’s panic made her reckless. "You’re her best friend! Of course you’d lie for her! Maybe you tampered with it to set me up!"

Now she was dragging Claire into her mess.

Lucas’s expression darkened. "Claire would never do something like that. Keep her name out of your mouth."

Claire shot him an icy look. "While I appreciate the defense, Mr. Bennett, I don’t need you speaking for me. Stay out of it."

The tension in the room thickened. Vanessa’s lies were unraveling, and she had nowhere left to run.

Lucas's grip tightened around his glass.

The way Claire had addressed him as "Mr. Bennett" in front of everyone stung more than he expected.

Was she deliberately putting distance between them?

His jaw clenched as he watched her laugh with Alexander across the room.

She hadn't even glanced his way since arriving.

The formal title echoed in his mind, sharp as a blade.

They had shared too much for such coldness.

Yet here she was, treating him like a stranger.

His fingers tapped impatiently against the crystal surface.

Was this her way of sending a message?

Or was there something else he was missing?

The champagne in his glass remained untouched.

He couldn't shake the unease coiling in his chest.

Alexander leaned closer to whisper something in Claire's ear.

Lucas's knuckles turned white.

The scene before him twisted into something he refused to name.