Chapter 167

Evelyn noticed Cassandra's phone buzzing insistently. "Who's calling you? Why aren't you picking up?"

Cassandra scoffed. "Since when do you care who I talk to?"

She brushed past Evelyn and stepped outside, answering the call with a tense voice. "Ms. Whitmore, is everything alright?"

Penelope's sharp tone crackled through the line. "Why did the trending hashtag die? What happened to your so-called media connections? Weren't you boasting about your influential friends?"

A pause. Then the threat. "If you can't fix this, forget about that Chanel bag you were drooling over yesterday."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around her own phone as she eavesdropped.

Cassandra's voice turned pleading. "I'm sorry, Ms. Whitmore. I'll make some calls right away."

But when she dialed her contact, no one answered.

Frustration twisted her features. "Why isn't anyone picking up? Did they all suddenly decide to ghost me?"

Evelyn stepped forward, her voice icy. "So it was you."

Cassandra spun around, face draining of color. "Evelyn! How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." Evelyn's gaze was unflinching. "Let's be honest, Cassandra. You're the one who drugged Reginald, aren't you?"

"And now you're trying to pin it all on me."

Cassandra's hands trembled. "I don't know what you're talking about. That call was about design work. You're misunderstanding."

Evelyn smirked. "Look in a mirror. Your guilt is written all over your face."

She held up her phone. "I could call the police right now. Spreading false accusations is a crime. I won't hesitate to press charges."

Cassandra swallowed hard.

Evelyn pressed on. "Unless you want handcuffs, you'll publicly clarify this mess and apologize. Now."

The threat hung between them.

Then Evelyn softened slightly. "Tell me who's really behind this, and I'll let you walk away."

She needed Cassandra to crack—to expose Penelope and Victoria.

But before Cassandra could respond, Jonathan appeared.

Spotting him, Cassandra straightened. "Why should I apologize? This isn't my fault!"

Evelyn's patience snapped. "This is your last chance to come clean."

"Last chance?" Cassandra sneered. "You're the one who caused this! Maybe you should apologize to the entire studio!"

A cold glint flashed in Evelyn's eyes. She'd hoped for cooperation, but Cassandra was too stubborn.

Jonathan stepped between them. "Enough. The police are already handling it. The truth will come out soon."

Cassandra paled further at the mention of law enforcement.

Unbeknownst to her, Evelyn had already received damning evidence from Sebastian—proof of who really orchestrated the lies.

She'd wanted to give Cassandra an out, seeing her as just another pawn.

But now?

Evelyn pocketed her phone, decision made.

Some people didn't deserve second chances.