Chapter 881
Sharon continued sharing her analysis.
“Victoria grew up in the Kalen household as the acknowledged daughter of a prestigious family, while I was only brought back later. Naturally, no one would ever believe Victoria is the illegitimate one. Between us, I’m the far likelier target.
“And those three girls weren’t just hurling random insults. They were certain of it-calling me a mistress’s daughter, accusing me of spreading rumors just to force my way back into the Kalen family.”
If the Kalen family themselves had leaked the news, they wouldn’t have gone to such deliberate lengths to frame her. After all, she was meant to return to the family. Richard still wore the mask of a benevolent father, showing no sign of wanting to tear things apart with her.
Besides, she still held those frozen original shares in her hands. If the Kalen family wanted to stir speculation, they could have done so with a vague, ambiguous hint-no need to plant such harmful, one-sided accusations that would damage them as well.
Wendy frowned, considering. “If it wasn’t the Kalen family, then who? Victoria herself? Or the Malcolm family?”
Sharon shook her head. “Unlikely Victoria. Victoria doesn’t need to lift a finger. The Kalen family will go to any lengths to scrub her spotless, no matter the stain. If others are willing to do the dirty work on her behalf, why would she risk acting herself?
“As for the Malcolms… It’s possible, but both Lex and Cole follow Victoria’s lead without question. Without her instruction, they’d never dare act on their own.”
Given how fiercely she had clashed with Lex and Damien, it made little sense that the Malcolm family had kept quiet before, only to suddenly unleash this rumor now.
A thought struck Wendy. “Sharon, could it be because Victoria was injured this time? Maybe Lex and Cole want revenge for her?”
Sharon shook her head again. “No. I already handed Kelly’s evidence to the Kalen family. Lex would know the truth. Victoria isn’t foolish enough to deliberately mislead them—lies like that are too easy to expose. She’s not Kelly.”
Wendy groaned in frustration. “Then who? Who else could it be? Who still holds a grudge against us? Who have we overlooked?”
Sharon’s gaze drifted toward the distance. “Don’t worry. Sooner or later, the one behind this will slip up.”
Wendy pressed, “So we just… do nothing?”
1/2
“For now, yes,” Sharon replied calmly. “They hide in the shadows while we stand in the open. Without a clear target, we can’t even begin to strike back. Lex and Cole may well be waiting for us to exhaust ourselves against an unseen enemy. Better to watch and see what they’re really after.”
The sound of approaching footsteps cut off her words.
Julliard hurried over. “Sharon, are you alright?”
Sharon gave him a small smile. “I’m fine. Thank you for stepping in back there.”
It wasn’t fear that had made her avoid confrontation. She simply didn’t want to hand her enemies any leverage. At this point, she could feel countless unseen eyes fixed on her every
move.
Julliard’s gaze darkened. “Don’t take their words to heart.”
“I know,” Sharon answered.
He hesitated, wanting to say more, but in the end only smiled and fell silent.
This was Zachemaine. Carter should have shielded Sharon from such malicious rumors. The fact that he had let it reach this point only proved his weakness. He couldn’t protect her.
A cold light flickered through Julliard’s eyes. If Carter couldn’t shield her, then he would. He would never allow Sharon to suffer even the slightest wound or the faintest injustice.
After escorting Sharon and Wendy safely back to the hotel, he pulled out his phone and dialed
a number.
“Release the news. Spread it everywhere that Victoria is an illegitimate daughter. And the evidence I’ve collected over the years… that Victoria’s mother was the real mistress… Leak all of it!” (2
