Only Eric, along with Sloane and her mother, seemed to sense something was wrong, their faces darkening. Rhett flashed a small smile, but his gaze was firm, sharp, and unyielding.
He positioned himself beside Khloe, subtly placing himself between her and the growing tension.
“Eric, your behavior is completely out of line,” Rhett’s voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable force of authority.
Seeing Rhett, Eric’s face darkened even more. “Rhett, this is between me and Khloe; stay out of it!”
Rhett let out a soft chuckle. “How could Khloe’s situation not concern me?”
Eric’s expression soured immediately, and he shot Khloe a venomous glare. “You’ve got some nerve, getting the CEO of Evergreen Capital to protect you…”
His unfinished words left the crew exchanging glances, their faces a mix of confusion and curiosity as they turned to Khloe.
Could Khloe be Rhett’s lover?
“Protect her? Where did you get the idea that Khloe sold her integrity? Do you have any proof?”
Eric’s gaze darkened, filled with suspicion. “Ha, is this a joke? Do I need proof? Why are you defending Khloe so fiercely if you have no ties to her? Should I spell it out? Isn’t she your mistress?”
Rhett’s voice suddenly grew louder. “That’s enough! If you dare insult Khloe, a shareholder of Evergreen Capital, again, I’ll file a defamation lawsuit against you on behalf of the company.”
From her quiet corner, Sloane had been watching everything unfold, and now jealousy blazed within her.
She had always believed Khloe was a woman who had hit rock bottom, someone who’d compromised her dignity just to scrape by. The revelation that Khloe was a shareholder of Evergreen Capital had never crossed her mind.
Lorraine pressed a hand to her chest as a sharp pang of frustration hit her. “How could this scheming woman be so capable?”
“Why does Khloe always get these chances? How am I any less than her?” Sloane wondered, clenching her teeth in frustration. Her heart burned with resentment, unwilling to accept it.
Eric, too, was stunned, his confidence starting to falter. “This can’t be!”
“Why not?” Rhett chuckled, casting a sidelong glance at Khloe. Her expression hadn’t changed a bit, whether it was over her shareholder status being revealed or enduring insults.
She held on to her cool, distant demeanor, carrying herself with quiet nobility. No wonder Henrik held her in such high regard-she was composed and unshakeable. Catching Rhett’s gaze, Khloe gave him a subtle nod. She passed him a glass of wine, a small gesture of appreciation.
She had already figured this was Henrik’s doing, arranging for Rhett to step in.
Henrik’s attention to detail never faltered, and his constant care gave her a deep sense of security.
Khloe spoke with calm authority. “Eric, your perspective is limited. You need to think bigger. Evergreen Capital’s investment in Peaks of Eternity wasn’t made without careful consideration.”
Frowning, Eric asked, “So that billion-dollar necklace was bought by you?” His eyes locked onto Khloe, as if her answer was the only thing that mattered.
“Necklace?” At the mention of the necklace, Khloe’s thoughts turned to Henrik, and a soft smile appeared on her face. “No, it was a gift from someone who means a great deal to me.”
Her words crushed the small glimmer of hope that had flickered in Eric’s heart, and his expression darkened again. He sneered. “So what if you’re an Evergreen Capital shareholder? That doesn’t clear your name. Besides, how you got that title is another matter, isn’t it?” Eric sneered. “Since you’re so fond of evidence, let me present some. At my engagement banquet, Karl and his men came to your rescue-it’s all on video.”
Eric gestured, and someone stepped forward with a video in hand.
He continued, “Should I post this online for everyone to see? Karl, Zhecrora’s infamous crime lord, wouldn’t have crashed my engagement unless you’ve got some hidden dealings with him!”
His argument seemed airtight, convincing most of those present. Suspicious, judgmental stares turned to Khloe.
Under the weight of their doubts, Khloe suddenly laughed, her striking features brimming with scorn as she looked at Eric. “Eric, you’re as gullible and foolish as ever, letting yourself get played so easily. It’s honestly pathetic.” With that, she motioned for Tess’ assistant to bring out a phone and make a call.
Putting the phone on speaker, she waited, and the call was answered almost immediately.
The voice on the other end spoke with unmistakable respect.
“Miss Evans, how can I assist you?”
The voice sent a shockwave through those familiar with Karl’s identity, especially Eric, whose face paled instantly. Was Khloe seriously addressing Karl in this manner?
The crowd was already stunned by Karl’s unusually respectful tone, but what truly left everyone speechless were Khloe’s next words.
Without any pretense, she spoke bluntly into the phone. “Karl, there’s gossip flying around that I’m your kept woman. Get here immediately and set the record straight.”
Before long, Karl stormed in, his arrival a whirlwind of urgency.
The moment his eyes locked onto Khloe, his face lit up with an overzealous grin, and he bent in a deep courtesy. “Miss Evans, I’m here,” he said, his voice oozing with flattery.
Everyone watching this unfold was left speechless, their mouths hanging open and eyes wide in sheer disbelief.
Eric stood there, utterly dumbfounded. His suspicions about something untoward between Karl and Khloe seemed shattered in an instant. This subservience was not at all what he had expected.
Khloe tilted her head slightly, her gaze cold and imperious, cutting through the air as she met Karl’s eyes.
“You’re late, Karl,” she remarked, her voice icy. “Guess you didn’t take me seriously, huh?”
Karl quickly forced a smile, his face flushed with apology, as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. “Miss Evans, my deepest apologies. Traffic held me up, but I rushed here as fast as I could.”
Khloe let out a dismissive snort, saying nothing further, though inwardly, she was pleased.
Her feigned arrogance was rewarded with Karl’s unwavering compliance.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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