Chapter <b>97 </b>
In the video, Grace could be seen looking around anxiously, as if searching for someone.
The moment Thalia appeared, Grace quickly snatched a ss of red wine from a passing server and hurried directly toward Thalia.
As she approached Thalia, Grace’s pace increased, culminating in a deliberate collision.
The wine ss left her hand, its contents spilling onto Thalia’s gown–the rest, everyone had witnessed firsthand.
From the security footage, the truth was undeniable.
Grace had deliberately bumped into Thalia.
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the audience as the whispered discussions resumed.
Several guests had been recording the screening with their mobile phones.
This security footage would undoubtedly appear on social media within hours.
High society drama involving wealthy heiresses always attracted more attention than any television programme.
Whether for clicks, views, or simple entertainment, this video was destined to go viral.
After leaving the screening room, Asher phoned Lady ckwood.
Neither she nor Grace hade to view the footage.
Now that the truth was evident, they needed to apologise to Thalia.
The call was answered by Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper responsible for Lady ckwood’s care.
“Master Asher, I’m afraid Lady ckwood has had another episode with her heart. We’re on our way to hospital right now.”
“Oh, how terribly convenient,” Asher replied, his skepticism evident.
Mrs. Hughes nced discreetly at Lady ckwood seated nearby.
The elderly woman exchanged a meaningful look with her.
Mrs. Hughes maintained a steady tone as she lied: “I’m afraid so, sir. After your disagreement earlier, Lady
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ckwood became rather upset, which triggered her condition. As you know, sw’s terribly sensitive to any sor
upset.”
Asher remained silent for a moment
“Put Grace on, would you?”
The phone was on speaker, and upon hearing this, Grace frantically shook her head at Mrs. Hughes
“Miss Bet isn’t with us in the car, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t the foggiest where she might be.”
“How remarkably convenient,” Asher responded with cold derision. “If they won’t talk to me now, they can jolly well apologise to Thalia in person at her home.”
Thalía had gone upstairs to change her clothes.
Asher was alone in the garden making his call.
As he finished and walked back toward the banquet hall<b>, </b>he encountered Randolph.
Having concluded his business discussions, Randolph had been briefed by the estate manager about the incident in
the banquet hall.
He had sought out Lady ckwood for an exnation<b>, </b>only to be informed that she and Grace had already departed.
Now he was looking for Asher.
Randolph’s expression was thunderous. “Asher, what on earth happened in the banquet hall? Why are your grandmother and sister treating Thalia so poorly<b>?</b>”
Asher adopted a conciliatory tone. “Uncle Randolph, I’m terribly sorry about all this. Please allow me to offer my apologies on their behalf.”
Randolph scoffed. “You’re not the one who should be apologising. I’ve been fully briefed on the situation. You consistently defended Thalia–it was your grandmother and sister who behaved appallingly. They’re the ones who should apologise! And not to me, but to Thalia herself.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I’ll ensure they personallye to make amends.”
“That’s more like it,” Randolph’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained severe. “My daughter is the pride of the Winters family. I won’t have her mistreated by anyone–not even members of the ckwood family!”
“You’re absolutely right, sir,” Asher responded with his customary respectful manner toward Randolph.
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Soon enough, the video of Grace deliberately bumping into Thalia at the banquet went viral online.
Beyond the security footage, videos of the argument between Thalia and Grace were also circting.
The headlines grew increasingly sensational:
“Scheming Social Climber Confronted by True Heiress, Publicly Exposed”
“Calcted Innocent Act Backfires as Heiress Demands Justice”
“Heiresses sh at Elite Gathering–You Won’t Believe Why!”
“Wealthy Heiresses Come to Blows Over Eligible Bachelor”
“High Society Sisters Be Bitter Rivals for Man’s Affection”
Victoria scrolled through the trending topics. “These headlines are bing utterly ridiculous.”
Charlotte looked puzzled. “I’m surprised the ckwood family is allowing these videos to circte.”
Thalia responded coldly: “People don’t realise Grace is the ckwoods‘ adopted daughter. Haven’t you noticed that Lady ckwood and Asher aren’t visible in any of the footage<b>?</b>”
Charlotte nodded in realisation. “That exins why they’ve been released.”
Victoria made a contemptuous sound. “That dreadful old bat is really something…”
Charlotte quickly interrupted: “Thalia, aren’t you going to have these trending topics removed? Couldn’t this affect your reputation?”
Thalia shook her head. “I won’t remove them, nor will I allow the ckwood family to do so. The security footage has been uploaded, and anyone can see who was in the wrong. I’m quite happy for Grace to be humiliated–it serves her right for constantly scheming against me.”
Victoria nodded firmly. “I’m with you on that one!”
Charlotte added: “I support you as well.”
The following day, Mr. and Mrs. ckwood brought Grace to formally apologise.
Asher apanied them, but Lady ckwood was notably absent. She imed to have suffered a heart attack from distress and was supposedly in the ICU. Whether this was true remained unclear, but as Mr. and Mrs. ckwood appeared genuinely contrite, Randolph didn’t press the issue of Lady ckwood’s condition.
Thalia and Randolph had spent the night at the estate, so the ckwoods came there to deliver their apology.
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In the treations per the pops with thr and thre. ckwood seated to tos lote and <i>rigia</i>. Thats and Asher at the
Owner was on her knees
The press rigia, kater had hacked up the sowity footage on phone and send it to us parents.
They had immediately reprimanded Grace severely
Though they hadn’t dared criticise Lady ckwood, Ader had gone to the hospital and shown her the security footage
Faced with irrefutaide evidence, Lady ckwood–despite her disapproval of Thalia–condar’t deny the truth. She acknowledged Grace’s wrongdoing, and tacitly approved their n to take her to myoton
No matter how much Grace pleaded and cried to see her, Lady ckwood refused all visitors.
With Lady ckwood’s implicit consent, Mr. and Mrs. ckwood brought suitable gifts and escorted Grace to formally apologise,
Grace had intended to remain seated. As she was about to sit down, before Mr. and Mrs. ckwood could say anything, Asher coldly ordered: “Who said you could sit? On your knees!”
His tone was cial, carrying an authority that brooked no argument<i>. </i>
Grace pressed her lips together, on the verge of tears, looking beseechingly toward Mr. and Mrs. ckwood.
Mr. ckwood maintained a stern expression<i>. </i>“You heard him, Grace, Kneel,”
Mrs. ckwood’s face was equally cold, “Do as you’re told.”
Asher’s entire demeanour radiated frigid displeasure. Fearing to provoke him further, Grace had no choice but to kneel
Randolph appeared moderately satisfied.
Mr. and Mrs. ckwood delivered lengthy opening remarks expressing their regret.
When it was Grace’s turn to apologise, Asher intervened coldly: “Turn around properly, Face Thalia when you apologise.”
Grace struggled to contain herself, but ultimately dared not defy him. She obediently turned ny degrees to face Tha directly, still kneeling, “I’m sorry. 1 shouldn’t have deliberately embarrassed you in such a public setting. I know I was wrong”
Thalia regarded Grace with curious interest. “Why are you constantly gunning for me?”