Chapter 487

"Scarlett!"

Mrs. Linton lunged at Scarlett Galatea the moment she appeared, clutching her sleeve like a lifeline. Tears streamed down her wrinkled face. "Melanie... she jumped from the building. The doctors say she might never wake up..."

Scarlett staggered back, stunned by the news.

"How could this happen?"

"It's all their fault!" Mrs. Linton shrieked hysterically, pointing at Evelyn Roland. "They have to pay! Five million! Not a penny less!"

As Mrs. Linton swayed, Scarlett steadied her. "Auntie, please calm down. Let me handle this."

Turning to Evelyn, Scarlett's eyes gleamed with calculation. "Dr. Roland, I'm grateful you saved my grandmother. But you shouldn't have forced Melanie into that experiment. Now look what's happened—you must take responsibility."

"Forced?"

Evelyn arched a brow, her crimson lips curling. "Miss Galatea, you can swallow nonsense, but don't spit out lies."

A flicker of panic crossed Scarlett's face before she squared her shoulders. She thought her performance flawless, basking in the crowd's attention.

Evelyn didn't even glance her way, instead smirking at Sebastian Valdemar beside her. "Mr. Valdemar, this blame is too heavy for me to carry."

Scarlett paled.

"I was the one who approved Melanie's participation," Sebastian stated coldly.

The words slapped Scarlett like a physical blow. She scanned the room, realizing everyone was staring at her like she was a circus clown.

The clown was her all along.

Blood drained from Scarlett's face as her nails dug into her palms. Her ears rang, her entire body numb.

"Scarlett?" Mrs. Linton tugged her sleeve.

"Miss Galatea." Evelyn's voice was glacial. "After slandering someone, shouldn't you apologize? Throwing away your dignity for a man—the Galatea family's upbringing is truly eye-opening."

The surrounding stares pierced like knives. Scarlett wished the floor would swallow her. Her lips trembled. "I... I'm sorry..."

"Speak up. Did you skip breakfast?" Evelyn sneered.

Scarlett flushed crimson, her voice barely audible. "Miss Roland, I... I was mistaken..."

"Since you care so much about the Lintons," Evelyn pivoted sharply, "why don't you pay the five million? The Galateas are wealthy—consider it charity."

Scarlett froze.

"Don't worry, Auntie," she forced a smile at the Lintons, "Melanie will recover..."

Evelyn scoffed, tapping the wall impatiently. "Enough theatrics. I'm leaving." She paused mid-turn. "Oh, Miss Galatea."

"Next time we meet, change your perfume."

Scarlett looked up, bewildered.

"That green tea bitch scent? Overpowering."