Chapter 258

Gasps rippled through the crowd as all eyes turned toward the speaker. It was Evelyn Sinclair, last year's Academy Award winner for Best Actress.

She had been seated discreetly beside Margaret Whitmore, placing her in the same row as Ethan Blackwood and Vivian Lockhart.

Throughout the evening, Evelyn had maintained perfect composure, quietly observing their interactions from the shadows.

To the untrained eye, Ethan and Vivian appeared to be bitter rivals. But Evelyn's sharp instincts detected something far more intriguing beneath their barbed exchanges - an undeniable chemistry that bordered on flirtation.

The realization sent waves of jealousy crashing through her, fueling her resolve to destroy Vivian at any cost.

Nathan Prescott rushed forward urgently. "What are you implying? Do you know where the bride is?"

"Not exactly," Evelyn replied with calculated hesitation. "But I have strong suspicions about who might be responsible..."

With practiced precision, she let her gaze flicker nervously toward Vivian, her Oscar-winning performance making it seem like she feared retaliation for speaking out.

The transparent manipulation worked instantly. Every head in the room swiveled toward Vivian.

Caught off guard, Vivian blinked in confusion. "What? Why is everyone staring at me? I don't know anything about this!"

"Stop pretending, Miss Lockhart," Evelyn countered smoothly. "I have photographic evidence of your altercation with Miss Sinclair earlier."

The revelation sent the room into chaos.

Nathan's face darkened. "Show us these photos immediately! Every second counts - if Olivia's in danger, we might still save her!"

Internally, he thought: 'I knew it. Something terrible must have happened to her.'

Vivian's temper flared at the baseless accusation, but her voice remained ice-cold. "By all means, present your evidence. But be warned - if your so-called proof fails to implicate me, or if this is a deliberate attempt at defamation, I will sue you into oblivion."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Evelyn's face. She hadn't anticipated such fierce resistance from a supposed social pariah.

'Margaret wasn't exaggerating - this woman is dangerous.'

But years in Hollywood had honed her skills. With dramatic flair, she produced her phone. "While passing the bridal suite earlier, I witnessed Miss Lockhart arguing violently with Miss Sinclair."

The images showed Vivian apparently wrestling something from Olivia's grasp, culminating in a shot where Olivia appeared to be shoved to the floor.

"Miss Lockhart explicitly threatened to stop the wedding," Evelyn added solemnly.

The crowd erupted.

"What kind of monster attacks a bride on her wedding day?"

"Bitter much? Just because she got dumped doesn't mean she can ruin others' happiness!"

Nathan rounded on Vivian. "What did you say to make Olivia disappear?"

Amid the onslaught, Vivian remained composed. "I did meet with Miss Sinclair earlier. But there was no argument - she insisted I take an envelope from her. That's the moment captured in these photos."

"As for her current whereabouts, I have absolutely no knowledge."

The guests exchanged skeptical glances. Seizing the moment, Margaret Whitmore struck. "Drop the innocent act, Lockhart. Your cruelty is legendary."

"You didn't spare Cassandra when she was pregnant. Why would you show mercy to my cousin's true love?"

Margaret's smile turned venomous. "Everyone knows Ethan never got over Olivia. This was your perfect revenge opportunity."

"Their love story is public knowledge! Why would she give you anything important?"

"And how do you explain photos of you assaulting her?"