He was right-the Watson family’s influence far outstripped that of all the families gathered there.
Hearing Eric’s words, Dorothy and Sloane couldn’t hide their smug grins. Dorothy crossed her arms and sneered, her eyes filled with contempt as she sized up the parents. “If you’re smart, you’ll stay on our side. Let’s join forces against Khloe. We can all testify and hire top lawyers to prove she’s the one slandering us. If anyone deserves to go to jail, it’s her!”
The parents’ faces hardened, and a few couldn’t resist casting uneasy glances at Khloe.
If sacrificing Khloe could free their children from this mess, they wouldn’t hesitate to do it.
As the hostile stares grew, Clinton’s fury ignited. “Are you all out of your minds, lying so boldly in a police station?”
In contrast, Khloe remained composed, standing still with an expression of calm confidence, her words hitting like a thunderclap. “Have you forgotten that Henrik Watson is the law’s biggest supporter? If you go to him with complaints, not only will he intervene, but he’ll also make sure those who lack moral integrity face severe consequences.”
The room was filled with shock, quickly followed by a surge of excitement.
Why hadn’t they thought of that sooner?
Eric was taken aback. These parents, despite coming from different walks of life, were all influential families in Zhecrora. Their priority was their children, and if they banded together, it could form a formidable force. On top of that, Henrik had a reputation for being unforgivingly strict.
He was a fierce advocate for the anti-defamation law. By now, he would undoubtedly make an example of Eric, ensuring the law’s integrity remained intact.
Henrik was known for his uncompromising nature, and he wouldn’t let family connections stand in the way of upholding justice.
Eric watched as the parents, now filled with righteous anger, began to prepare to report the situation to Henrik. It was clear that this wasn’t something that could be brushed aside.
A sinking feeling settled in his gut, and he realized he needed to get out of this mess fast.
Turning sharply to Sloane, Dorothy, and Gwyn, he demanded, “What’s going on here? Are you all lying? Apologize to Khloe right now. I won’t protect you anymore!”
Sloane quickly grasped Eric’s intent. Stepping forward, she took his hand and forced out a few tears. “I should’ve been more careful. This whole mess started because Dorothy was angry about how I was humiliated during my live stream.”
Eric gave Sloane a comforting pat, then turned his gaze to Dorothy. “Dorothy, is this all because of some old grudge with Khloe? Do you want revenge? If you admit it now, I’ll help clear this up.”
Dorothy’s expression changed, and she quickly protested, “It’s not our fault! It’s Khloe who started this mess.”
“Enough! This is ridiculous! We’ve all watched the video. Do you really think we’re clueless? It’s clear that you were the ones who targeted Khloe first. Sloane’s the one who stirred things up, and now you’re facing the consequences. How can you not feel sorry for what you’ve done?” said Baker Cullen, Gwyn’s father.
Gwyn nervously tugged at her father’s sleeve, her voice shaky. “Dad, you’ve got it wrong. Sloane and I are good friends. You don’t understand. Khloe is just terrible…”
“Shut up! I know better than you!”
Gwyn stood frozen, too scared to say another word after her father’s outburst.
Baker shot Eric a fierce look. “You need to find a solution right now. Whether your fiancee takes responsibility or provides compensation, the first thing you need to do is calm Khloe down. My daughter cannot afford a criminal record!”
Eric’s face darkened as he turned his attention to Dorothy. The mention of Henrik’s name alone was enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine, and Eric knew this issue wouldn’t be easily swept under the rug. His main goal was to clear Sloane of any blame.
But Baker wasn’t convinced by his words one bit.
Eric knew there had been tension between Khloe and Sloane and that Sloane had always disliked Khloe.
After losing a role and being publicly humiliated during a live stream, Sloane must have harbored some resentment towards Khloe.
But he believed in Sloane’s good nature and couldn’t fathom her stooping so low.
Sloane was his fiancee, and in his eyes, she shouldn’t be the one to take the fall.
Just as he was about to downplay the situation and separate Sloane from being the mastermind, Khloe spoke up. “Sloane knew I was coming and stirred up the other students to turn against me. She kept claiming that you and she were meant to be and that our engagement meant I stole her boyfriend. She even spread the rumor that I used my position as the heiress to bully her.”
While speaking, she slowly walked to Sloane, an unexpected, calm smile gracing her lips. “Sloane, you claimed to Eric that you always treated me like a sister. So why did you spread lies about me in front of classmates who didn’t even know me? If it weren’t for you, do you think they would have behaved this way?”
Eric felt as though he had been struck by lightning. He was suddenly awake to the reality of the situation and stared at Sloane in shock.
Sloane knew arguing was pointless now. She took a deep breath, wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye, and walked to the parents, trying to maintain her composure. Her voice was soft and gentle, making her appear utterly wronged.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Sloane Evans, and I want to apologize for the trouble caused. We’ve caused you some inconvenience.”
With those words, she bowed deeply, her gesture sincere. The parents looked on with unfriendly expressions. Normally, Sloane’s demeanor would have easily won people over.
But after hearing Khloe’s earlier words, they looked at Sloane with suspicion, seeing her as nothing more than a manipulative woman.
“Stop acting innocent. It’s sickening. Everyone knows your mother ruined Khloe’s family, driving her mother out. Clearly, your mother has no sense of decency, and you’ve picked up her habit of stepping on others to get ahead. It’s disgusting!”
“Yes, stop playing the victim! Just answer Khloe’s question honestly. Did you say something to provoke our children, causing them to bully Khloe?”
Sloane was caught off guard, the words she had planned to say vanishing into silence.
Her teeth ground together as her entire body shook with fury.
Khloe’s tactics were unforgiving, taking the matter to the police and zeroing in on the core of the problem, pinning all the blame on her.
In that moment, her only hope lay with Eric.
Sloane fell silent, her gaze fixed on Eric, filled with pleading and sorrow.
Eric averted his eyes from Sloane, troubled by how quickly things had spiraled out of control.
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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