Isabella Ashcroft was arrested!
Isabella’s head snapped up.
Her pupils trembled.
The marriage certificate on the projection screen was blindingly bright.
Alexander Vance had known everything all along!
The thought had just flashed through her mind when Thomas Watson pressed the remote.
The screen switched to two surveillance videos.
The first showed Isabella sneaking into the media room.
She inserted a USB drive into the computer.
The second showed two maids working in coordination.
One operated from the back, the other pressed buttons at the front.
The evidence was irrefutable.
Isabella looked at Julian Evans in panic.
He had been involved in this from start to finish.
But Julian took half a step back.
He avoided her gaze.
Isabella’s heart sank. "Julian…"
Julian looked at Richard Evans.
His father’s eyes were icy.
His face was full of bitter disappointment.
Julian clenched his fists.
He suddenly charged at Isabella.
Isabella thought she was saved.
A smile had just begun to form on her face.
"Smack!"
The slap rang out sharply.
Julian scolded her harshly. "Isabella! You've disappointed me so much! I know you hate Evelyn, but this is Great-Grandmother's birthday gala!"
Isabella covered her face, stunned.
She couldn't believe it.
Linda Lowell was bound, her hands tied.
A rag was stuffed in her mouth.
Seeing this, she struggled violently.
She shoved the bodyguard aside.
She rammed her head into Julian's abdomen.
Julian staggered backward.
Linda glared at him with rage.
She shielded Isabella.
She was like a mother beast gone mad.
The guests whispered among themselves.
"Isn't she Evelyn's mother?"
"Why is she protecting Isabella like that?"
"It's so strange…"
The murmurs snapped Linda out of it.
She glanced at Evelyn Ross.
Her eyes darted away guiltily.
Isabella lowered her hand.
She was fully清醒 now.
Julian was unreliable.
This foolish woman would only make things worse.
She took a deep breath.
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
"I didn't mean to… Evelyn said she just got married this year… I didn't know her husband was Uncle Alexander… I just felt sorry for Aunt Sophia…"
She sobbed. "My mother is too kind… she's always being bullied… I just wanted to use public opinion to keep them in check…"
Her crying moved some people.
Their eyes turned to Evelyn.
Her status as a love child drew sidelong glances.
But no one dared to speak up.
Alexander Vance's methods were ruthless.
The example of that woman, the one before… was a clear warning.
A police officer stepped forward.
Alexander spoke coldly. "She has violated portrait rights. Please handle this according to the law."
Two police officers approached Isabella.
Linda tried to struggle again.
The bodyguards held her down firmly.
Isabella panicked.
She threw herself at Sophia Ashcroft.
"Mom! Save me! I'm pregnant! I can't go to the police station!"
Sophia gripped the marriage certificate tightly.
She remembered that slap.
The words stuck in her throat.
Evelyn pressed her lips together.
She was about to speak.
But Alexander cut in first. "Even if Mrs. Ashcroft doesn't press charges, the Vance Group will!"
The police grabbed Isabella's arm.
"Ms. Ashcroft, please cooperate with the investigation."
Violating portrait rights wasn't a severe crime.
But being arrested publicly was enough to cause utter humiliation.
It was a heavy blow to the eldest branch of the family.
Sophia remained silent.
Isabella needed to learn a lesson.
The banquet gradually resumed.
Sophia looked at Evelyn. "Evelyn, I'm sorry…"
William Ashcroft suddenly exploded. "Sophia! Don't apologize! She did this on purpose!"
He supported Sophia.
He glared furiously at Evelyn. "Hiding your marriage with ulterior motives! Forcing you to apologize! Putting on an act with Alexander to frame Isabella! Do you even see me as your father?!"
Evelyn lifted her eyes calmly.
She only cared about Sophia.
Her voice was utterly calm. "But you are not my father."