Chapter320Once Again, All Alone
Yvonne was unconscious when she was taken from the Garcia family mansion, her fingers and toes mangled and bleeding incessantly. They hardly seemed part of her anymore.
With so much blood lost, survival was unlikely without treatment.
But they couldn't let her off so easily. Gabriel's intent was clear. Yvonne had to live, to endure a living hell every single day.
Firstly, the bodyguard rushed her to a local clinic to stem the bleeding and bandage up her fingers and toes.
When she awoke the following day, she was immediately handed over to the 'J' authorities.
After all, the J authorities were the ones who held real power. The Evans Group and Liam's recent PR crisis could only be mitigated with the decisive action of these authorities.
By the time everyone else started their workday, the J authorities had already released an official statement revealing the grim facts to the public.
They had even obtained a confession from Lauren's mother.
Lauren's mother confessed that Yvonne had persuaded Lauren to pursue Liam. Blinded by the promise of wealth, she had supported their plan.
Now, with her daughter dead because of Yvonne, she was overcome with grief and pleaded with the authorities to hold Yvonne accountable to ensure she did not escape justice or harm others.
Moreover, the scandal involving Madison's seduction of Gabriel, followed by her brutal assault and abandonment in the streets, was orchestrated by Yvonne as well.
The news sent shockwaves through the media.
Rehashing the incident where Yvonne had drugged Liam, framing Teresa for an affair with him, it became all too easy to believe that Yvonne was behind it all.
Suddenly, the online vilification initially directed at Liam pivoted sharply toward Yvonne, with the public clamor for the authorities to sentence her to the gravest punishment.
Amidst the uproar, Faith, Liam's fiancée, took a stand to voice her support. She asserted that since Liam had been with her, he had had no relations with any other women.
Liam was consistently praised as a thoughtful and gentle boyfriend. He had mentioned his past with Lauren to her, how, before the tragic end, Lauren had caused a scene at the Evans Group's office building. She had even advised Lauren to let go of the past and make a fresh start.
Because it was clear to them that Liam and his girlfriend truly loved each other, there was no way he would ever rekindle anything with Lauren.
Yet, Lauren refused to see reason and eventually took a path of no return.
In the CEO's office of the Evans Group on the top floor, Liam's face showed no relief or pleasure as he read the authoritative news from J Media, the collective outrage, and Faith's Facebook post. If anything, his expression grew even more somber.
He knew Lauren to some extent.
He was aware that Lauren wasn't the extreme type. Even if Yvonne was pulling the strings, Lauren had no reason to go and kill Teresa before deciding to jump off the rooftop of the Evans Group building.
Had Faith said something to Lauren that morning that sparked her volatile emotions, pushing her to a breaking point under Yvonne's manipulative threats?
Knock, knock.
Just then, a knocking at the door jerked Liam out of his thoughts.
Looking up, he saw Faith standing at his office entrance, not just anyone, but Faith. Her smile was warm and graceful as she walked in without waiting for Liam to speak.
"Liam, are you okay?" Faith asked with concern, noticing his worn-out expression that hinted at a sleepless night.
Liam's gaze on her was indifferent and stoic. He cut to the chase, "Faith, what exactly did you tell Lauren yesterday morning at the coffee shop?"
"What do you mean by that, Liam? Are you implying that I pushed Lauren to kill Teresa and then jump off the roof of this building?" Faith returned the question, visibly taken aback.
"No," Liam said evenly, "J Media has laid out the facts clearly. Yvonne instigated Lauren to stab Teresa and then jump off the building. I just want to know what you and Lauren discussed yesterday. Did you mention Teresa?"
"Why would you think I'd talk to Lauren about Teresa?" Faith countered, feigning innocence.
Liam looked at her, his expression chilling instantly, "I don't know about that. You'll have to ask yourself."
"I didn't mention a word to Lauren about Teresa, I swear. Not one," Faith said, locking eyes with Liam. No hint of guilt shadowed her gaze, and her face wore a look of serious, innocent distress.
"Faith, I think we're not right for each other. Let's call it quits," said Liam decisively, without a trace of hesitation as he faced the earnest and proper Faith.
It didn't matter whether Faith had spoken to Lauren about Teresa. Liam felt nothing for her anymore.
If Faith truly loved him, she should have defended him when everyone was ready to condemn him, not waited until the next day to seek attention as the loyal partner.
He didn't need a wife like that. Faith didn’t deserve the title.
"Break... break up?!" Faith's composure began to crack, a hint of angry panic seeping into her eyes. "Liam, why?"
Though the Coppola family had money and stature in Westville, they still paled in comparison to the prestige of the Evans family.
"It's just that I don't like you anymore. There's no reason why," Liam said, averting his gaze from her and casually reaching for a document on the table, giving her a brutally simple answer.
"Don't like me?!" Faith scoffed coldly, riled by his indifferent and haughty demeanor, "Liam, everyone knows we're together. Our engagement announcement went public. Do you really want everybody to laugh at my expense?"
"No." Liam, not even glancing at her, focused on the document in his hand, replied emotionlessly, "You can tell the public you dumped me."
—You dumped me!
