"No, no! Kneeling isn't enough! I want you to crawl under my legs. Let's see how you seduce men after this!"
Her accomplices joined in.
"Crawl!"
"Kneel!"
Nearby, Dylan whispered, "Sir, can we go now? This woman is lying—Miss Natalie was with you last night. We can't let this continue."
Logan's eyes darkened. He rose slowly, the tension building.
Just then, Natalie sneered. "You want me to kneel? Fine. But I'm changing how I kneel."
Logan paused, barely holding back a laugh. What was she up to?
Natalie turned to Hailey. "Didn't you say you wanted to thank me for all the blood donations that saved your life over the years?"
"You want to thank me, right? Words aren't enough. Time to show it."
"How about you kneel for me, Hailey? After all, if I hadn't saved you, you'd be dead."
Hailey froze. Natalie, admitting defeat? That wasn't right. She would never bow out like this.
What game was she playing?
From the sidelines, William frowned. Was Natalie really throwing away her reputation like this?
"Kneel, Hailey. Or was your gratitude just lip service?" Natalie pressed.
The crowd roared. The mood grew even more volatile.
"Nat!" Ava's voice cut through the noise. Her expression was full of rage. "You messed up, so why drag Hailey into this?"
"She owes me her life. That's why!"
"There are other ways to show thanks—"
"But this is what I want right now!" Natalie snapped.
"You're in public! Hailey's fans are watching!"
Ava was livid. "You seduced a married man, and now you want your sister to pay for it too?"
Natalie shot back coldly, "Tell me, will your respect get me a raise? A promotion? A hot girlfriend? Make me CEO? No?"
"Then why would I care?"
"You…" Ava was at a loss for words.
"Ava, let's stop this. Since it was my little sister who made the mistake, it's only right for me to apologize on her behalf," Hailey said, standing up and bowing politely.
But the woman suddenly grabbed her arm. "I disagree! Whoever made the mistake should apologize!"
Hailey's fans immediately cried out in agreement.
"Exactly! The person at fault should take responsibility. Why should Hailey apologize for someone else's mistake?"
"You think donating blood gives you the right to bully her? Have some decency!"
"Natalie should apologize!"
"Yes, Natalie must apologize!"
Just then, a voice rang out from behind the crowd. "There's no need for an apology."
Everyone turned around to see a man in a wheelchair, dressed in a sleek black suit. His features were sharp and refined, his hair perfectly combed, and his outfit tailored to perfection. A Rolex Submariner gleamed on his wrist, a Hermès belt circled his waist, and a subtle scent of Guerlain cologne lingered around him. Though confined to a wheelchair, he exuded an aristocratic presence. Two towering bodyguards flanked him, emphasizing his dignified appearance.
His gaze softened as it landed on Natalie, and he spoke indulgently, "Silly girl, why are you admitting to something you didn't do?"
Natalie glanced briefly at his legs before laughing with disdain. "What, were you bitten by a dog and now cursed forever?"
William's expression darkened, though he forced a light chuckle. "Don't be absurd. It was just a dog bite. Nothing serious."
He wheeled himself forward—right up to Natalie's face—only to realize he was much shorter than her. He had to crane his neck to meet her eyes, which soured his mood. The wheelchair, a reminder of his diminished pride, felt heavier than ever. But he could endure it if it meant winning Natalie back.
He reached for her hand, but she immediately stepped back. William's hand paused in mid-air, then dropped awkwardly. He cleared his throat and turned to the woman beside Hailey.
"Who are you to slander my fiancee?"
The woman faltered under his sudden confrontation, instinctively glancing at Hailey. After receiving a subtle nod, she straightened her back and retorted, "I didn't slander anyone! She seduced my husband and wrecked my family! She's nothing but a homewrecker!"
Smack!
One of William's bodyguards struck her across the face.
"Watch your mouth!"
Her cheek immediately swelled from the blow.
"I'm the victim here! Why are you hitting me?!"
William's expression remained calm. "The photos were photoshopped, weren't they?"
"And the bank card—it was switched after passing through your hands, right?"
"Do you think the police won't find out?"
The woman began to panic. She sneaked another glance at Hailey, then hesitated and suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud.
"I was wrong… I made everything up."
Natalie was taken aback. She hadn't expected the woman to break down so quickly.
"Who told you to destroy my reputation?"
"No one. I saw the marks on your neck while I was shopping, and I got the idea. I just wanted to humiliate you."
"But don't blame me. I'm a victim too! My husband left me for a younger, prettier woman. I hate girls like you. I always feel like you're all trouble."
Natalie cut her off sharply. "Tell us how you switched the bank card."
The woman shook her head furiously. "I didn't switch it! I only said what I said because I knew the machines here couldn't verify the cardholder's identity."
"Then how did you know there was a million dollars in the account?"
"You told the waiter to charge first before trying on clothes. Later, two waiters were gossiping that there must be at least a million in that card. I just ran with it!"
"What about the photo?"
"I took a quick snapshot of you at the mall entrance and edited it. Then I printed it at the photo booth in the mall. You can check the mall's surveillance—it's all there."
Huh?
Natalie frowned. Hailey hadn't even mentioned the photo. Wait a minute… If it was just a face-swap, how did they get the scar on her arm and the ear piercing right?
It dawned on her—Hailey had accounted for every possible outcome. This woman was just a pawn. If the plan succeeded, she'd be a hero. If it failed, she'd take the fall.
What a calculated move.
The woman rambled on, "I just wanted to teach you a lesson, embarrass you during your livestream. It was a warning to all those social-climbers!"
"What do you mean, embarrass my sister? Do you even realize how close you came to destroying her?" Hailey's voice was laced with righteous indignation again.
The woman bowed her head. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I saw her beauty and just… wanted to ruin her."