Chapter 895
Jamie could only be described as a living legend.
Born a powerless illegitimate son, he had clawed his way to the head of the Walton family in an impossibly short span of time. The feat was nothing short of astounding. Of course, his methods were notorious-ruthless to the extreme.
For once, Carter’s composed features tightened, a rare gravity settling in his expression.
“Sharon,” he said, “someone has to take the fall for this. The spreading of Victoria’s illegitimate birth won’t be allowed to stand unpunished. If the real instigator isn’t exposed, you’ll be in danger. I’ve already thought it through. When we meet with the Kalen family, I’ll claim responsibility. You’re Theo’s mother. If I say I acted out of outrage on your behalf, it will sound both reasonable and justified.”
Sharon’s eyes widened, and she rejected him on instinct.
“No. If Jamie is as dangerous as you say, then you admitting it would only shift his wrath onto yourself.”
At her words, a faint smile softened the darkness in Carter’s gaze. That makes me happy.”
“So you do care about me.
Sharon parted her lips to reply, but before she could, Carter’s expression hardened again, cutting her off.
“Sharon, unless the true culprit is found, everyone will assume it was you. And Wendy won’t be safe either. With Jamie’s temperament, the fact that she once spoke ill of Victoria is already an unforgivable sin. It doesn’t matter whether she spread the news or not.
“This leak was strange. It didn’t originate from within-it came through external channels. Tracing the source will take time.”
But time was the one thing they didn’t have.
The longer this dragged on, the more dangerous it would become for Sharon.
If Carter took the blame, at least for now, Jamie’s hatred would be directed at him. His energy would be consumed in plotting against Carter, leaving Sharon overlooked.
Wendy listened, her expression conflicted. She was Sharon’s closest friend, and anything she said in public would be seen as Sharon’s stance. That alone made her a liability. If Jamie held her words against Sharon, then she had indeed dragged Sharon into disaster.
“No,” Sharon repeated, firmer this time. “I won’t let you take this risk for me.”
Carter’s voice was cool, yet carried an unexpected tenderness.
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“This is Zachemaine. Jamie’s chances of succeeding here aren’t high. And I’ve been through situations like this before. I’m not taking the risk in your place. I’m only buying time. If we find the culprit before he acts, the crisis ends.”
Sharon’s instincts screamed it would never be that simple. She was about to argue when Rick’s assistant arrived, bowing politely.
“Miss McKinzie, Mr. Kalen sent me to bring you over.”
With others present, Sharon could say no more. She left with the assistant.
At the Kalen residence.
A soft knock sounded at Victoria’s door.
“Come in,” she called, her voice light.
A tall, striking man stepped inside, his presence commanding even in silence.
Victoria set down the book in her hands the instant she saw him.
“Jamie, you’re here.”
Jamie’s eyes lingered on her delicate, pale face. “Victoria, how are you feeling?”
Since that day, she had burned with fever and fallen gravely ill. Her withdrawal from the competition had been as much due to her health as to the crushing public scrutiny.
She nodded gently. “Much better now. Jamie, about that day… thank you.”
Jamie’s voice was low, steady. “Victoria, I came today to give you a gift.”
He held out a large, square gift box. It was sizable but surprisingly light.
Curious, Victoria lifted the lid-and gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth.
“This is…”
Jamie’s gaze locked on her.
“Johanna told me this painting is of you… and that you love it dearly. I thought about it for a long time, and in the end, I decided it should belong to you.”
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