Chapter 458

Eleanor ended the call and instantly pulled up the news on her phone.

The glaring headline seized her focus: [Dangerous Lane-Hopping: Drivers Like This Should Be Banned! A Real Highway Hazard!]

Her stomach dropped as she tapped the link.

Crystal-clear dashcam footage showed Vanessa’s reckless lane-cutting in vivid detail.

But what made Eleanor’s blood run cold was the unmistakable close-up of Vanessa’s face, captured perfectly by the traffic camera.

The comment section was a storm of outrage.

"Is she trying to get herself killed or just ruin everyone else’s day? This isn’t driving—it’s a death wish!"

"This woman drives like she’s starring in her own action movie. Spoiler: it doesn’t end well."

"Hold on… doesn’t she look familiar? Isn’t that Ethan Caldwell’s wife?"

No one had anticipated the police would escalate this into a public warning broadcast.

The backlash was already spiraling out of control.

The situation worsened when netizens exposed Vanessa's true identity!

Eleanor stared at Vanessa in shock. Rage consumed her as she lunged forward, nails ready to claw at her face.

"Vanessa! Look at the mess you've made! If you want to humiliate yourself, fine! But now you've dragged the entire family into this disgrace!"

"We're the laughingstock of Cresthaven now!"

The hallway outside the operating room descended into chaos. Vincent stepped in, trying to mediate. "Fighting won't solve anything. We're only making this worse."

"Worse?" Eleanor scoffed. "Ever since this woman came into our lives, have we known a single day of peace? And Sophia—who does she think she is? If Vanessa hadn't been so reckless, Sophia would never have dared mock me like this!"

Eleanor had always despised Sophia for her petty, scheming nature. Their rivalry had spanned years, with Eleanor always holding the upper hand.

But this time, Sophia's smug remarks had left her speechless.

"This was orchestrated! I won't let this stand!" Eleanor seethed.

Losing her grandchild was devastating enough, but now the Caldwell name was being dragged through the mud online. Eleanor could already imagine the whispers at her next high-society luncheon.

Ethan had married Vanessa, an illegitimate daughter, and after all the effort to secure an heir, she had lost the baby in the most humiliating way possible.

"It's Alexander! He's behind this! Only he would stoop so low!" Eleanor declared.

She was convinced that since Evelyn had suffered, Alexander wouldn't let it slide. He must have leaked the footage to publicly shame them!

Vincent stiffened at the accusation.

"How dare he! This isn't just an attack on us—it's an assault on the Whitmore family's reputation! I'm calling Harold. He won't tolerate this!"

Before he could dial, Harold already knew.

Retired and with ample free time, Harold spent his mornings playing chess and browsing the news.

Just today, the scandal had flashed across his television screen.

When Harold summoned Alexander to Whitmore Manor, his voice was icy.

"Did you leak this to the press? To defend your wife, you'd tarnish the Whitmore name?"

Alexander responded with icy composure. "The Whitmore family's reputation? If we tolerate certain individuals' outrageous actions, that's what will truly destroy our legacy."

His words hung heavy in the air.

Harold's face darkened instantly. "Explain yourself. Are you implying I'm the problem?" His voice cracked like a whip, fury radiating from him.

The tension in the room thickened.

Alexander didn't flinch. His gaze remained steady, unyielding. "I'm stating facts. Turning a blind eye to misconduct only invites disgrace."

Harold's hands clenched into fists. "You insolent—"

Before he could finish, the doors burst open.

Vanessa rushed in, her face pale. "Father! Have you seen the news?"

A television screen flickered to life in the corner.

Breaking news headlines scrolled across the screen: "Scandal Rocks Elite Whitmore Family—Shocking Revelations Surface!"

Alexander's lips curved slightly.

Too late.

The damage was already done.