Empire 32

Chapter 32 

Suddenly, Penelope’s phone rang in the room. She glanced at the screen. It was a call from Amanda. 

“Amanda?“. 

“Penelope, I did everything you told me to. What now? What if the cops find out Jacklyn didn’t do it? What if they figure out that I… Will they arrest me?” Amanda’s voice trembled with panic. She hadn’t dared to leave the house and could only call Penelope for help. 

Penelope, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered. 

She lazily admired her freshly done nails before replying in a drawl, “Amanda, calm down. No matter how the police investigate, you’re the victim here. You were the one assaulted. Even if it comes back to you, you can just say you misheard or got confused. You can just brush it off.” 

“Penelope, you have to help me.” 

“Relax, Amanda. I’ve already spoken to Eugene. He promised he’d back me up. All you need to do is stick to the story that Jacklyn did it.” 

Penelope wasn’t entirely sure Eugene would actually help. But to keep Amanda in line and make sure she kept dragging Jacklyn down with her, Penelope had no choice but to name–drop Eugene for support. 

Amanda finally felt reassured at those words. 

In Lloyd Manor, Jacklyn had just reached the door when she saw a sea of people blocking the entrance. 

“Ms. Stinson, you’re finally out! Were you hiding at home because you were too scared to show your face?” 

“Ms. Stinson, we heard you just got back from the police station. Care to tell us what happened?” 

“Ms. Stinson, do you have a statement?” 

Reporters swarmed around Lloyd Manor, surrounding it completely with no way in or out. 

“Mrs. Lloyd, should I get them to leave?” Reese asked in a low voice while standing protectively in front of Jacklyn. She’d already called security, but the guards were clearly outnumbered. 

Jacklyn knew if she didn’t face the press today, they wouldn’t back off. 

She waved Reese away. “It’s fine. I’ll talk to them.” 

The moment she stepped outside, every reporter snapped to attention. 

Jacklyn scanned the crowd and said firmly, “I didn’t do what I’m being accused of. The truth will speak for itself. 

“And let me remind everyone. Freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom from consequences. If you’ve been slandering me online, you’ve already crossed a legal line. I’ll be asking my lawyers to take action. As for the rest, the police will do their job.” 

As soon as she said that, a hoarse voice cut through the crowd. “Jacklyn, you’re still not admitting it?” 

Cameras whipped around to capture the source. 

Amanda stood there in the same clothes she wore in that viral video. Her hair was a mess, and her face was bruised. 

“Jacklyn, how could you? Even if we had a grudge, you didn’t have to go this far and have me assaulted!” Amanda 

Chapter 32 

shouted like a woman possessed. “It was you! You did this to me, Jacklyn!” 

Jacklyn’s expression didn’t change. She knew exactly who ad sent Ananda here. 

Amanda’s screaming and flailing was likely learned from that very person. 

“Ms. Scott, you say we had a grudge. Why don’t you tell everyone what exactly the feud between us is?” 

Amanda froze. 

+25 BONUS 

The truth was, she didn’t have any real bad blood with Jacklyn. She just didn’t like her because of Penelope. 

She hesitated, then lunged at Jacklyn. “Jacklyn, you bitch! You’re still denying it? I heard it with my own ears!” 

The reporters quickly stepped back to watch, not wanting to miss a single exciting moment. 

Just as Amanda’s hands were about to claw at Jacklyn’s neck, a tall figure stepped in between them. 

“Wait. Isn’t that Mr. Liam Robertson? What’s he doing here?” 

Sensing a juicy scoop, the reporters seized the chance to ask questions. They pressed their microphones right up to Liam’s face. 

“Mr. Robertson, what a coincidence! Are you here because you’ve been protecting Ms. Stinson this whole time?” 

The reporters stared at Liam with greedy eyes. 

Jacklyn and Amanda’s scandal was already headline–worthy. Now that Liam had made an appearance, this was front–page gold. 

Liam’s voice dropped cold and low when he responded, “Since when is my business yours to poke around in?” 

But the reporters weren’t letting go. They immediately turned the spotlight back on Jacklyn. 

“Ms. Stinson, it looks like Mr. Robertson really cares about you. Would you say he’s your backup option?” 

Frowning, Liam looked straight at the aggressive male reporter. 

“Which outlet are you from?” His voice was calm but carried weight. 

Everyone could feel the pressure in the air shift. 

Silence fell over the crowd. 

The reporter stammered out his company name, and Liam suddenly sneered at him. “Try writing a single word of nonsense and see what happens.”