?Chapter 300:


    Everyone froze. The air felt thick as they stared at Hailee, wide-eyed.


    She was fearless. But did she even realize the mess she’d just walked into?


    Hailee didn’t blink. With a smirk that could freeze blood, she tossed the check right at his face and shouted, “Crawl back to whatever hole you came from!”


    The crowd was stunned. Even five million bucks couldn’t sway Hailee. Her grit and backbone left everyone in awe. She’d clearly been mistreated—hurt so badly that no amount of cash or perks could buy her silence.


    Then, a voice cut through the crowd, demanding justice. “Hailee, talk to us. We’re all here to back you up.”


    The chorus of voices grew louder, echoing the same call.


    “Yeah,y it all out. This mess is out in the open now. The public’s got a right to know.”


    “The Craig and Sampson families run the show in Ublento. They don’t get to hide from the spotlight, especially not the Sampsons with their Skyflower Hospital, touching so many lives. People deserve the truth.”


    The Craig and Sampson ns were starting to sweat. That video looping on the giant screen? Probably the real deal. Why else would Dunn have thrown five million at Hailee to hush it up? But even that kind of money couldn’t close the deal. Hailee was a brick wall.


    Norwood, thinking about the Craig family’s name going down in mes, shot a death re at Boris. But Boris? He was lost in his daze, staring at Hailee like a lost puppy.


    “What an idiot!” Norwood grumbled under his breath.


    Joslyn, out of moves, tugged at Trinity’s sleeve and whispered, “Trinity, get Cole on the phone, quick. Beg him to cool down.”


    Trinity’s lips curled in annoyance. The Craigs knew she was the apple of the Evans family’s eye, but they didn’t get that Cole wasn’t one of her fans. She had zero pull with him. Still, she had to save face. Turning to Joslyn, she said, “Mom, Hailee’s got Elliana in her corner. And since Elliana’s married to Cole now, he can’t step in. You’d better ask Grandma to sweet-talk Ruben.”


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    “What?” Joslyn gasped. “You’re saying Elliana’s the one egging Hailee on to stir up trouble?”


    Trinity nodded. “Yup. Didn’t you see Hailee decked out in Rosa brand clothes and bling? Those were provided by Elliana. Bet Elliana even slipped Hailee the invite. No way a regr girl like Hailee could’ve crashed this party otherwise.”


    The rest of the Craig and Sampson families overheard this and threw hateful looks Elliana’s way.


    Elliana, cool as a cucumber, just flicked her ear and ignored them.


    The Craig and Sampson families snapped back to the crisis at hand. Now wasn’t the time to pick a fight with Elliana. They had a bigger problem to solve.


    Norwood leaned toward Bonnie. “Mom, swallow your pride and ask Ruben for help.”


    Bonnie nodded. She and Diane were tight, so she figured Ruben wouldn’t turn her down. But when she nced at Ruben’s seat, it was empty. A quick scan of the room—no Ruben in sight.


    “Humph!” Bonnie huffed. “Looks like Ruben’s dodging the drama and has slipped out.” She realized even if she rang Diane now to lean on Ruben, it’d be toote.


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