What Khloe didn’t realize, however, was that Karl was genuinely terrified of her.
He knew too well the wrath Henrik could unleash, a wrath he had narrowly survived after crossing the man.
He had only just healed enough to stand without assistance, and the thought of Henrik turning his fury on him again was enough to paralyze him.
Karl studied Khloe’s expression, carefully gauging whether she was truly angry, before his attention snapped to Eric. His gaze darkened, his voice now a sharp edge.
“Eric Watson, how dare you spread those rumors and tarnish Miss Evans’s reputation? Are you asking for trouble?”
Eric recoiled at the venom in Karl’s eyes, his bravado faltering as he stumbled back, though he tried to maintain his composure. “You’re the one who sent your men to crash my engagement party for Khloe!”
“That’s a lie! I told you that Miss Evans is my honored guest. Are you deaf?” A malicious sneer curled Karl’s lips. “I don’t care who you are. If you ever slander Miss Evans again, I’ll make you regret it. Trust me!”
Eric’s face turned an alarming shade of crimson, his fists clenching in fury, but he knew better than to push Karl. He could argue with lawmen like Rhett, but Karl, a man of the underworld, wasn’t someone to test. One wrong word and it could be his last.
At that tense moment, Sloane spoke up, her voice faltering as she tried to defuse the explosive situation. “Mr. Russell, I think there’s been some misunderstanding. Eric only repeated what he heard from others.” Her words came out smoothly, but the guilt in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Khloe shot Sloane a look full of disdain, her eyes sharp as knives. “You think I don’t see through your schemes, Sloane? Eric might not be the sharpest, but I know his true nature. If it weren’t for your manipulation, he wouldn’t have tried to block me at the set or spread those lies about me.”
Sloane’s face drained of color, her eyes nervously avoiding Khloe’s piercing gaze. “Khloe, how can you say that? I was only trying to protect you! I heard you were getting involved with shady people, and I was just worried you’d be hurt!”
Khloe let out a cold laugh. “Protect me? By spreading lies about my supposed ties to shady people? You’re too kind.”
Eric’s frown deepened, his eyes flicking between Khloe and Sloane, doubt creeping into his mind.
The whispers about Khloe had come from Sloane and her mother. If it weren’t for Sloane’s constant reminder, Eric wouldn’t have been pushed to confront Khloe at the set. But now, Karl’s actions made it clear that Khloe wasn’t the woman he had been led to believe.
Sloane, on the other hand, was his girlfriend, and safeguarding her reputation was tied to protecting his own. Eric inhaled sharply, struggling to stay calm. “Khloe, even if Sloane said that, she might have been deceived by someone.”
Khloe’s gaze was scornful. “Still making excuses for her? Are you really this easily manipulated?”
Eric’s face flushed with humiliation, the weight of her words sinking in.
At that moment, Rhett stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. “Since you claim this is just a rumor, Sloane, care to tell us where you heard it from?”
Sloane froze, her body trembling, eyes full of fear. She couldn’t answer. Not truthfully, anyway.
“If Sloane can’t explain, Eric, don’t you think it’s time you apologized to Khloe for disrupting the set and damaging her reputation based on unfounded gossip?” Rhett’s voice sharpened, his words dripping with mockery. “What’s wrong? Does the heir to the Watson family not have the courage to apologize?”
The crowd around them began to murmur.
“Khloe, I’m sorry. I misunderstood you,” Eric muttered, his voice low, but loud enough for all to hear. Khloe remained impassive, her expression cold.
Embarrassed and defeated, Eric shook off Sloane’s hand from his arm and walked away without a second glance.
Sloane called after him in a panic, but he didn’t stop. Just as she was about to chase after him, Karl stepped in her path.
Sloane’s eyes widened in fear as she turned to face him, only to find herself locked in Khloe’s cold, unforgiving stare. “Sloane, where do you think you’re going? We’re not done here.”
Sloane stared at Khloe, her eyes wide with fear, her voice shaking. “Khloe, I swear, I didn’t know anything.”
Khloe let out a frosty laugh. “Didn’t know? You plotted to ruin me, spread lies, and tarnish my name. And now you expect me to just accept that you ‘didn’t know’ and move on?”
Those nearby shot Sloane disapproving looks, their disdain evident.
“Things did get out of hand. After the banquet, my mother and I talked about your necklace. We were concerned you might have been tricked by someone, which is why Eric misunderstood,” Sloane said, her voice softening as her expression turned to one of delicate vulnerability. “Khloe, whatever the case, this is on me. If you’re still upset, I’ll take whatever punishment you think is fair, as long as it helps you feel better.”
Her face, streaked with tears and pale, seemed to draw sympathy from many of those watching.
“To be fair, who wouldn’t be suspicious of a billion-dollar necklace? It’s not every day you see someone as young as Khloe owning something so extravagant.”
“Exactly. Besides, wasn’t it Eric stirring things up this time? Sloane wasn’t involved, was she?”
Khloe caught every word, her expression unchanged. She knew all too well how masterful Sloane was at dodging accountability.
“Fine. You accidentally ruined my necklace at the banquet. Today you provoked Eric into causing a scene at the launch-another misunderstanding, I’m sure. But tell me, was kissing Eric in the garden back then also a misunderstanding? Because last I checked, he was still my fiance at the time.”
The moment she finished, the crowd’s attention snapped to Sloane, their eyes now filled with suspicion.
Under the weight of their skeptical and scornful stares, Sloane clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms.
These were no ordinary onlookers; they were key players from major media and entertainment firms. Without a solid explanation, Sloane knew she wouldn’t walk away unscathed.
Gritting her teeth, Sloane took a shaky step forward, her voice quivering with emotion. “Khloe, I know Eric was drunk back then, and I never meant to hurt you. I understand why you’ve held a grudge all these years, and I’m truly sorry. You refused to come back home because you thought I was stopping you from being with Eric. I promise, if you forgive me, I won’t go near Eric again, and I’ll end the engagement with him. Please stop being angry, and don’t hurt yourself by staying out like this. Just come home with me.”
Sloane acted humble and apologetic, but inside, she was feeling very pleased with herself. She thought she had the moral high ground and couldn’t wait to see how Khloe would react.
If Khloe argued back, she’d come off as combative; if she stayed silent, she would suffer losses. There was no way she could escape this trap.
Sloane’s words, seemingly heartfelt, had their desired effect. The onlookers, unaware of the true history between the two, started to believe that Sloane harbored genuine sisterly love for Khloe.
Rhett observed the exchange, his attention piqued by the drama unfolding before him.
Sloane’s act was flawless, and her innocent performance charmed the crowd, convincing many that she was truly remorseful. No wonder Eric had been so easily taken in by her facade.
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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