Chapter 320 Do you Really Think I'm That Easily Fooled?
"As long as you play your part in our plan, your future's set. You'll be rich and living the high life," Diana's voice echoed through the conference room, her sneering face filling the screen.
"You need to drive it home, Ava. You're the victim here. Adeline's the villain."
The screen switched to a nervous Ava, her fingers twisting in her lap. "But the police already said someone else was behind the Neon City incident. Adeline had nothing to do with it."
Diana rolled her eyes, clearly impatient. "Can you produce this mysterious mastermind from Neon City? Who do you think will get more attention, some nobody or Adeline Wilson, Radiance Springs' queen of controversy?"
"Tomorrow, you will jump from a building. And you will tell everyone that Adeline Wilson drove you to it."
Ava bit her lip, eyes wide with fear. "Do I really have to jump? What if I get hurt? I'm scared."
Diana's sneer deepened. "Scared? You think you can get fame and fortune without risks? There's no free lunch, darling."
Ava fell silent, her hands twisting restlessly.
"But..." she whispered.
"No buts," Diana snapped. "Tomorrow, find a low building. Three stories max. Two stories is too obvious, even for this stunt."
"I'll make sure you're wearing protective gear. We'll have witnesses to capture it on camera. That should sell the story."
"Alright," Ava mumbled, shoulders slumping.
The video ended, leaving the conference room in stunned silence.
Everyone had expected a sensational takedown of Adeline Wilson. But no one saw this coming—a cold, calculated attempt to ruin Adeline's reputation with lies.
Reporters, their excitement dampened, asked Adeline a few questions before leaving quickly.
Sebastian arranged for Mr. Taylor to be taken back to his hotel. Ava's injuries were fake, but she was still a patient, her facade shattered. She knew she couldn't stay in Radiance Springs after this humiliation.
Like Aurora before her, Ava was just a pawn in Stella and Diana's twisted game. Now that she had served her purpose, she was expendable.
Adeline, not wanting to waste more time on Ava, told a staff member to take her back to the hospital.
Soon, only Adeline, Sebastian, and the still-restrained Diana were left in the conference room.
"Adeline," Sebastian said, shaking his head in admiration, "I never knew you were such a brilliant strategist."
He had always seen her quietly sketching in the office, seemingly unaware of the drama around her. But today, she had anticipated and countered all of Ava's accusations, exposing their entire scheme.
"I'm allowed to defend myself, aren't I?" Adeline replied, her voice firm. "Just because they operate in the shadows doesn't mean I have to play by their rules."
When news of Ava's staged suicide attempt and the press conference surfaced, Adeline had immediately understood their plan. She spent the night strategizing with Blake and Sebastian, crafting a counter-attack to expose Ava and her puppet masters as frauds.
Her focus on dismantling Ava's lies almost cost her. She had let her guard down around Thomas, nearly falling victim to his ambush.
Thinking of Thomas brought Jasper to mind. He'd been cold and distant last night, his words harsh. He might have said he was done with her, but surely he was still watching, right?
She had exposed Diana's involvement on live TV. Given Diana's ties to Stella, Jasper would connect the dots.
"What do you want to do with her, Miss Wilson?" Charles asked, still holding Diana.
Adeline frowned, pulling a USB drive from her purse. "She's the owner of that media company that got shut down. The police are looking for her."
"Take her to the station," she told Charles, handing him the drive. "There might even be a reward."
Charles's eyes lit up at the thought of a bonus. He quickly escorted Diana out, eager to cash in.
With Diana gone, only Adeline and Sebastian remained.
Sebastian sank into a chair, letting out a long sigh. "Well, that's that. This whole mess is finally over."
"We owe it all to that mysterious benefactor of yours," he added, referring to the anonymous source who had been feeding him info about the Quinn family's operations.
Adeline, scrolling through news articles on her phone, looked up surprised. "Mysterious benefactor? What are you talking about?"
Sebastian chuckled. "I haven't told you yet, have I?"
"The reason I could identify and catch the Quinn family's operatives in Radiance Springs, and find Morgana in Neon City, is because someone reached out to me with info."
"He contacted me yesterday, saying he had a score to settle with the Quinn family. He offered to help take them down."
Sebastian leaned back, looking thoughtful. "I've arranged to have dinner with him tonight. I owe him a lot."
"It seems the Quinn family has more enemies than they realize, even here in Radiance Springs," Adeline mused, frowning.
The Quinn family was known for their ruthlessness and arrogance. Their power in Neon City came from their ties to Gabriel, the city's top gang leader.
But Radiance Springs was outside Gabriel's territory. The Quinn family had no real influence here. They hadn't even set up a business. So who, besides Jasper, would have a grudge against them?
"You said you're meeting this mysterious benefactor tonight?" she asked Sebastian, her mind racing.
He nodded, but before he could speak, Adeline interrupted.
"I want to come," she declared firmly. She needed to know who else in Radiance Springs had a stake in the Quinn family's downfall.
Meanwhile, in Stella's luxurious Blue Bay apartment, a different conversation was happening.
"Jasper, darling," Stella cooed, placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. "You're home early. Not busy with work these days?"
Jasper sat on the plush sofa, his expression unreadable, his eyes cold and sharp as they met Stella's. "When did Diana arrive in Radiance Springs?"
Stella's mask of nonchalance slipped for a second.
"Diana? In Radiance Springs?" she echoed, feigning surprise. "I thought she was recovering in Neon City."
Jasper's lips curled into a humorless smile. He pulled out his phone and played the video of the press conference, pausing at the moment Adeline ripped off Diana's mask, revealing her panic.
Stella's eyes widened, her composure faltering. "How is that possible? I had no idea she was even in Radiance Springs!"
Jasper leaned back, crossing his arms, his gaze unwavering. "Do you really think I'm that easily fooled, Stella?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
