<h4>Chapter 292: Self-Deception</h4>


    Sean raised an eyebrow, sneering with disdain. "Does she really think she can turn this around? We’ve taken care of the surveince footage. I highly doubt she managed to sneak in with some micro-camera."


    Leah nodded in agreement, equally confident. In her mind, there was no way E could stage aeback.


    "Dad, don’t worry about that girl. Once Mr. Nelson dumps her, we’ll have plenty of ways to deal with her," Frank said, his face glowing with satisfaction. To him, E was only bold and arrogant because she was relying on Eric’s support.


    Evelyn, in high spirits, nced over at her son, who was ying games while eating. Once E returned her shares to the Carter Group, her son would inherit everything. After all, Max was the only male heir of the Carter family. Who else would the fortune go to?


    The family continued their dinner, feeling rxed, not taking E’s nned press conference seriously.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Chloe hadn’t attended school for several days.


    She had been gued by nightmares every night, dreaming of being tormented and abused by thugs. Each time, she woke up screaming in terror.


    Mrs. Carter, seeing Chloe’s distress, had started sleeping in the same room with her daughter. During the day, Chloe’s mood remained downcast.


    On this particr day, Chloe refused to join the family for dinner, so Mrs. Carter had a servant bring food to her room.


    Just then, Charles entered, carrying Nathan in his arms. Nathan, now seven months old, was crawling rapidly around the room.


    "Mom, take Nathan downstairs to eat. I need to talk to Chloe," Charles said calmly.


    Mrs. Carter, knowing the tension between Chloe and E, left with Nathan, realizing her daughter became extremely agitated whenever E was mentioned.


    After Mrs. Carter left, Charles closed the door and sat beside Chloe on her bed.


    Chloe, her face tight with anger, turned away from her older brother, refusing to look at him.


    "Chloe, it’s been days. You’ve been upset long enough. E and I both warned you about Mason, and now... can’t you see what his true intentions were?" Charles said, trying to reason with her.


    Chloe angrily pulled the nket over her head, covering herself entirely.


    Charles pulled the nket down. "Chloe! You’re not a child anymore. You’re an adult, and you need to take responsibility for your actions. Think about it—if E hadn’t arrived in time, do you know what could’ve happened to you? You could’ve lost everything—your dignity, your reputation, and worse, a video could’ve been leaked online. Your name would’ve been ruined."


    Chloe trembled slightly, recalling that terrifying night. It had been the first time in her life she felt suchplete despair.


    "It’s because E seduced him! Mason admitted it himself. He said E—" Chloe began, her voice shaking with anger.


    "Shut up! You’ve been friends with E for over ten years, and you still don’t know what kind of person she is? She loves Eric deeply. Do you really think she’d be interested in someone like Mason?" Charles said, his voice filled with frustration.


    "Would you only forgive her if that criminal had shot her and she died trying to save you?" Charles’ words hit Chloe like a bolt of lightning.


    Her eyes widened in shock.


    "If E hadn’t been quick-witted, things could’ve turned even more dangerous. The man had a gun, Chloe! Even E’s bodyguards were hesitant to act recklessly. Why do you think that the moment Mason left, those men came after you? Why didn’t the police show up when you called, but E did, rushing to your rescue?" Charles continued, his voice firm but patient as he tried to guide her out of her confusion.


    Chloe breathed heavily, her eyes red and brimming with frustration. "Yes! She’s smart, she’s brave! If it weren’t for her, I’d be dead already, so I should be grateful, right?" Despite her words, her eyes were filled with resentment and unwillingness.


    Charles’ heart ached. Love truly made people blind. No matter how much he tried to reason with her, Chloe refused to listen.


    Maybe it was because the Carter family had spoiled her too much, making her believe that when things went wrong, everyone should protect her, love her, and make sure she was safe, like a pampered princess.


    Charles stood up abruptly, his voice cold with frustration. "Sister, I’ve always spoiled you, and the whole family treats you like a precious jewel. But this time, I’m defending E because she’s not at fault. The ones who messed up are you and Mason! If it weren’t for you, E wouldn’t have had to risk her life! And if it weren’t for Mason, you wouldn’t have been put in that horrible situation with those thugs. But instead of being grateful to E for saving you, you use her of seducing Mason? Don’t you know what kind of person Mason is by now?"


    Chloe bit down hard on her lip, not saying a word.


    "If you stay stuck in this delusion, then E truly wasted her time thinking you were a real friend! Aren’t you always saying how much you hate fake, pretentious people, Chloe? Well, right now, you’re the one being fake and foolish! Imagine if you had saved E, and she turned around and used you of trying to steal Eric. How would you feel?"


    Tears began to fall from Chloe’s eyes, one by one.


    Deep down, she knew the truth. She wasn’t blind to what was right or wrong, but she couldn’t let go of the bitterness in her heart. How could everything with Mason seem so perfect, only to shatter into something she couldn’t ept?


    She would never forget how Mason’s eyes had been glued to E, while she, Chloe, had been nothing more than a shadow, never truly seen by him.


    It was unfair! So unfair! Why did Mason treat her this way? Was it all just to get to E?


    "You need to think carefully—are you really willing to throw away a friendship that’ssted over a decade because of Mason, that scumbag? All of this is just a trap set by another Carter Group and Mason. Think about it. E’s facing a storm of negative press right now; her life is no easier than yours," Charles said, trying to get through to her.


    As a businessman, Charles could see through the situation clearly. E’s reputation was being dragged through the mud, and everyone was convinced she had abused Sean.


    Charles, feeling there was nothing more he could say, turned and left the room.


    Chloe bit the edge of her nket, tears flowing uncontrobly. Her heart was in turmoil, and the failure and despair of her first love weighed heavily on her.


    But despite her inner turmoil, she couldn’t resist reaching for her iPad. She opened a forum and, as expected, found numerous posts about E.


    She clicked on one and scrolled through thements.


    All of them were insults, full of vitriol and malicious usations against E.


    Chloe couldn’t bear to read any further. She clutched the iPad to her chest and slowly closed her eyes.


    ...


    The next morning, at ten o’clock.


    The venue E had announced—Nelson Group Hotel’s eighth-floor hall—was packed with people, leaving barely any room to move.


    In addition to the many reporters, there were also plenty of curious onlookers.


    The stage remained empty. There was no sign of E, and Eric was nowhere to be seen either.


    People began to specte, wondering if E had gotten into trouble again. What excuse or exnation would she give this time for the allegations of abuse? Everyone was eager to find out how she would handle the situation.