Evelyn Ross froze for a moment.
Guests around her whispered among themselves.
"What's happening?"
Evelyn calmly scanned the room.
Everyone looked confused, clearly unaware of what was going on.
Only two people appeared calm, with hidden excitement in their eyes.
Julian Evans and Isabella Ashcroft!
Evelyn's mind raced as the projection screen suddenly dropped!
The projector lit up, revealing a photo.
Evelyn's pupils constricted.
It was the photo taken of her and Alexander Vance that day.
They were lying on a sofa fully clothed, their heads close together as if kissing...
The photo wasn't explicit, but it was intensely intimate.
Evelyn suddenly remembered that night.
Her cheeks flushed.
She frowned deeply.
The entire room erupted in chaos!
Chloe Roland looked at Evelyn in disbelief.
Sophia Watson stepped out from the crowd, sneering.
"Keep denying it! Weren't you just claiming innocence?"
Chloe stammered, "...It must be photoshopped! I believe in my savior!"
Though she didn't know how to explain it, she firmly defended Evelyn.
Evelyn's lips curved slightly.
Sophia scoffed.
"Such a large screen, no signs of editing. Anyone can see it's real!"
The surrounding discussions grew louder.
"Her own mother testified, and now there's photo evidence. It must be true..."
"Trying to enter a wealthy family by pleasing a grandmother with Alzheimer's? Dream on!"
"How could Mr. Vance do this to his wife?"
"Evelyn is married too. This is mutual infidelity..."
Sophia Ashcroft and William Ashcroft hurried over.
Seeing the screen's content, Sophia's eyes widened.
She urgently shouted, "Turn it off now!"
No one from the Vance family moved.
It took her, a latecomer, to remind them before they snapped into action.
The butler tried to act but was stopped by Julian.
"Reporters are already here. It's too late to remove it now! Let my uncle explain himself!"
Vance Group executives immediately chimed in.
"Mr. Vance's image affects the company. He can't act recklessly!"
"That girl interned at the company before. Now she's making her move!"
"It's over. Someone already posted this live. The influence is skyrocketing!"
"Where's PR? Suppress the influence now! Or the stock will plummet tomorrow!"
"We can't suppress it! Someone seems to be pushing it behind the scenes. It's already trending number one!"
Today was the grandmother's birthday gala.
The venue was packed with guests and business elites.
Vance Group executives gathered anxiously, panicking.
Linda Lowell seized the opportunity to grab Evelyn.
She shouted at Sophia Watson, "Mrs. Vance! The evidence is clear! You must give an explanation!"
Sophia Watson's eyes reddened, looking helpless.
Isabella angrily scolded Evelyn.
"It's Great-grandmother's birthday gala! If you have any conscience, get out now!"
Julian added, "Stop causing trouble for my uncle! Leave!"
Linda stiffened her neck and yelled, "Why should we leave?"
She suddenly rushed at Sophia Ashcroft, full of malice.
"Mrs. Ashcroft! You're the kindest! You took us in back then. Please speak up for Evelyn now! You raised her. How can you bear to see her wronged?"
All eyes turned to Sophia Ashcroft.
High-society women despised this type of "virtuous" first wife.
They immediately attacked her.
"She let the mistress into the house? How foolish!"
"Stop pretending to be a saint! It's disgusting!"
"She raised Evelyn. Turning out like this is clearly intentional spoiling!"
"People from New York are so cunning! How vicious!"
The malicious words cut like knives.
Sophia Ashcroft's face turned pale.
She swayed unsteadily.
"Sophia!"
William Ashcroft quickly supported her.
Evelyn anxiously stepped forward.