Empire 31

Chapter 31 

Jacklyn spent the entire night haunted by nightmares. When she woke up and glanced at her phone, her Instagram inbox was nearly exploding. 

“So pretty, yet so cruel. You really can’t judge a book by its cover!” 

“You don’t dare to reply? You must feel guilty!” 

“You actually hired someone to sexually assault a woman? What’s the point of being pretty if you’re this messed up?” 

After scrolling through dozens of messages, she finally understood that someone was throwing dirt on her name. She searched for related videos and found Amanda’s account. 

Her latest post had hundreds of thousands of likes. In the video, she held up her ID and recounted the ordeal she faced the night before. 

“Hi, everyone. I’m Amanda Scott. I’m officially reporting that Jacklyn Stinson hired someone to assault me. I’ve called the police, and I’m counting on you all to help seek justice!” 

Before Jacklyn could make sense of it, Reese Crawford, the maid, called from outside, “Mrs. Lloyd, someone’s here to see you.” 

She quickly got dressed and opened the door, only to find several police officers standing there. 

“Ms. Stinson, we’ve received a complaint. Please come with us for questioning.” After showing their badges, they ushered her into a police car. 

At the station, the officers began questioning Jacklyn with Amanda’s statement. 

“Ms. Stinson, Ms. Scott says those three men who attacked her were hired by you, and you were on that street last night.” 

Their eyes sharpened like hawks‘ as they studied her. 

“Yes, I was on that street, but Amanda and I hold no grudges. There’s no reason for me to hurt her. This is slander! 

11 

When Jacklyn refused to confess, the officers left her alone in the dark interrogation room to think it over. 

Before long, a police officer returned. This time, he said with a noticeably more polite tone, “You can come out now, Ms. Stinson. Someone’s posted your bail.” 

Jacklyn nodded. When she stepped out, she immediately spotted Eugene and a lawyer. 

“Jackie, are you okay?” Eugene stepped forward and took her hand. 

She shook her head and calmly pulled away. “Let’s go home” 

Eugene opened his mouth, hesitated, then fell silent. 

In the car, Eugene studied Jacklyn silently for a moment before asking, “Jackie, did you do this?” 

She had been planning to catch some rest, but hearing his question, she couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. 

1/3 

Chapter 31 

+25 BONUS 

“You actually believe Amanda’s story? What motive would have? We aren’t even enemies. Why waste money just to cause myself trouble?” 

Eugene patted her hand reassuringly before speaking softly “Jackie, it’s not that I believe her. But why would she lie about it? And who jokes about something this serious?” 

“Why?” Jacklyn’s eyes glinted coldly as she looked up at him. “Because Amanda and Penelope are cut from the same cloth.” 

Mentioning Penelope made Eugene uneasy. He quickly looked away. “Jackie, don’t get so worked up. I believe you. I promise, I’ll clear your name.” 

Jacklyn closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat without another word. 

After dropping her off, Eugene headed to the hotel. He had intended to go to the office, but on the way, he received a message from Penelope. 

“Gene, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you forever” 

The moment Penelope saw Eugene, she leaned into Eugene’s arms and began to sob. 

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Eugene frowned, watching her carefully. “Pregnant women need to keep their emotions steady. All this crying isn’t good for the baby.” 

Penelope bit her lip. “Gene, you’ve heard about Amanda, right?” 

“Why bring her up?” Eugene grew impatient. 

If it weren’t for that woman, Jacklyn wouldn’t have been taken to the station. 

“Gene, I know you never care about other people’s business, but Amanda is my best friend!” 

Penelope covered her face and cried. Noticing that Eugene remained unmoved, she went on, “Gene, Amanda went through all that because of me!” 

Eugene’s brow twitched. “Because of you?” 

“Jackie did that to Amanda to get back at me!” 

Eugene’s expression darkened as he stood up. “This has nothing to do with Jackie. Don’t spread lies.” 

“Gene…” Penelope lowered her head and sniffled, looking pitiful. But behind those eyes was a sharp coldness and a calculating gleam. 

“When we were kids, Jackie always felt our parents loved me more, so she hated me for it. She’d make me stand in the corner when our parents were gone, then pretend nothing happened when they came back.” 

Eugene grew impatient. He had no interest in hearing any of it. “Enough. We’re talking about Amanda. Don’t bring up Jackie.” 

Penelope couldn’t stand hearing him speak a single word in Jacklyn’s defense. The more he praised that woman, the more she wanted to tear her down. 

“I’m telling the truth. Amanda’s hurt because of me. Today it’s her. Next time it could be me.” 

Eugene’s eyes darkened. He paused mid–step before leaving. 

Penelope stood on the hotel balcony. As she watched his retreating figure, a knowing smile curled at her lips. 

2/3 

Chapter 31 

Once suspicion took root, his feelings for Jacklyn would slowly start to crack. 

She couldn’t wait for the day she’d become Mrs. Lloyd.