Chapter 171

Evelyn gazed down at Cassandra sprawled on the marble floor, her lips curling in amusement.

"Your performance deserves an Oscar. What a waste you didn't pursue acting professionally."

Cassandra glared up with venom in her eyes. "Evelyn, don't change the subject. Explain how you obtained that design contract!"

The entire studio staff held their breath, waiting.

Without hesitation, Evelyn stepped closer to Genevieve, lowering her voice. "I'm aware of the zoning violations on your family's golf course development."

"If this information leaks, your father's company stock could plummet overnight."

Genevieve's face paled. "How could you possibly know that?"

This was privileged information known only to their inner circle. How did some junior designer uncover their secrets?

Evelyn shrugged casually. "Irrelevant. Just know this is why I secured the contract and walked out of your father's office untouched."

Genevieve's manicured nails dug into her palms. While skeptical, she couldn't ignore the truth in Evelyn's words about their problematic land deals.

Suddenly, Genevieve spun and delivered a stinging slap across Cassandra's cheek.

"You scheming little bitch! No wonder you manipulated my father so easily!" she shrieked.

With photographic evidence in hand, Genevieve saw no reason to hold back.

Cassandra's bewildered gaze darted between them. What magic words had Evelyn whispered to turn the tables so completely?

Desperate, she turned to Charlotte. "Help me! Call the police!"

Charlotte ducked behind a desk. "After you ruined my blind date and got our studio blacklisted? You're lucky I don't join in!"

Beatrice crossed her arms with a sneer. "Now we know how you afforded those designer bags - sleeping with married executives!"

The studio buzzed with murmurs of agreement. No one moved to defend Cassandra.

Jonathan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Enough. If someone gets seriously injured, we'll all face legal consequences."

Beatrice huffed but relented. "Fine. I'll drag her outside then."

As security approached, Cassandra crawled toward Evelyn on bloodied knees. "It wasn't my idea! Penelope made me do it!"

Evelyn stepped back gracefully. "The photos don't lie. I gave you a chance to confess this morning."

She gestured to the damning evidence scattered across the floor. "Karma's a bitch, isn't she?"

Cassandra's mind flashed to that morning when she'd overheard Evelyn's mysterious phone call. If only she'd listened to the warning.

Four broad-shouldered bodyguards materialized, hauling the sobbing woman away. The studio fell into uneasy silence, the air thick with unspoken questions.

Jonathan cleared his throat. "Everyone back to work." But the tension lingered like gunpowder after an explosion.