Chapter 13 Scapegoat
Olive’s face turned ghostly white. Her eyes widened, lips pale, chest rising and falling like she couldn’t breathe. She looked like she was about to collapse night there.
People nearby gasped
“Wait is she having an episode
“Asthma? I thought she had depression. Isn’t this the wrong kind of reaction?”
Xavier was still stunned from earlier. Normally polished and composed, he didn’t care about appearances anymore. He stumbled forward and caught Olive as she shook in his arms.
He didn’t question it for a second. His worry for Olive was real–undeniably real.
Quinn watched the way he looked at Olive and felt a strange ache. It wasn’t jealousy. It was envy.
I wish I had people who cared about me like them
Olive’s cheeks were flushed from the strain and her knuckles turned white from how hard she clung to Xavier’s sleeve.
“Xavier… tell them you’re my brother. Tell them we’re siblings. I’m in love with Zayden..”
The disappointment that flashed through Xavier’s eyes was quick–but clear
Their little scene, every second of it had already been caught on people’s phones.
Before, it was just speculation. But now? This looked like something real
Xavier snapped. “Why are you filming? Don’t you people have jobs? You want to get fired??
Most of the crowd worked for the Fairchild family. Watching was fine. Crossing Xater? No way. They tucked their phones away and scattered fast
As the crowd thinned out, Xavier’s jaw tightened. His face was bed, and he was grinding his teeth.
This should’ve been something handled in private. Why the hell did she say it in from of everyone?
He’d spent years keeping his feelings buried so no one would know.. And now Quinn had just blown it all up in public.
He wanted to go over and wring her neck. Did she even realize what kind of damage this could do to the Fairchild family?
But Olive still clung to him, and he couldn’t break away
And there was Quinn, standing there looking innocent, calm, like it wasn’t her mes at all. The picture of cool detachment The complete opposite of Olive, who was still shaking in his arms.
Xavier stared her down like he could cut her open with just his eyes.
Olive looked at her too–no more panic, no more weakness. All the symptoms were suddenly gone.
She’d been faking it the whole time.
Same old tricks. They just didn’t work as well anymore.
Quitin gave a crooked little smile and held up her phone
What are you glaring at me for? Maybe check your own phone first.”
Chapter 13 Scapegoat
The more she watched, the more her face darkened.
Finishe
Xavier had tried hard to keep it in, but she knew him too well. Every neitch, every flicker in his expression said more than words
He i in love with Oline.
So that was it
That’s why he’d never liked her after she joined the Fairchild family.
He’d been hiding this for years
And now, thanks to today, she finally understood why
The story blew up online. Gossip accounts twisted it, exaggerated it, threw gas on the fire. Within hours, the whole thing har taken on a life of its own.
Quinn thought maybe this would finally leave a dent in the Fairchild family’s armor
But by the next morning, the internet had been scrubbed clean
Every post, every video–gone.
Every tag about the Fairchild family had been wiped
It was like nothing had ever happened.
They worked fast.
Back at the Fairchild estate, Colton was pacing in front of Olive and Xavier, sleeves rolled up, so angry he couldn’t even get the words out. He kept pointing at them, eyes blazing.
Zayden vat off to the side in wrinkled loungewear, looking half–asleep. His usually perfect hair had fallen mostly over his forehead Clearly, he’d been dragged out of bed for this.
Cotton muttered, paced, then muttered some more.
Betty saw her two kids sitting there like scolded dogs and stepped in “Colton, come on. Zayden already handled in Everything’s undercontrol now. Don’t get yourself worked up.”
Cosinon let our a long breath, but he was still furious. “Do you two even understand what you just did”
Olour staffied eyes welling with tears again. “It wasn’t our fault. Quinn twisted the truth. She’s the gase who dragged us into it
Colton looked over all Zayden, hoping for some kind of reaction. Nothing
br tarand back and let has anger loose
Mr. Grama hadah stepped in, our stock would’ve crashed tomorrow morning. Why do you two always make things harder
o
That’s faravan shot back. “What did we do wrong? If it were you standing there, you would’ve defended Olive too.”
Cada
em
– both like they id completely lost touch with reality. He actually had to admit–he kind of admired how (Quare badi ichurosen the whole mes veto Clive with just a few words.
He heat about to go off again, when Zayden finally spoke.
sock, a
| Respir believe
microscope. You should’ve kept your heads. Even if Olive was
12:10 AM && –
Chapter 13 Scapegoat
Your encartment with Olme—”
Zaden cut him off. His come was flat, but there was something sharp beneath t
Noes not the time. We’ll talk about it later.”
Zaden…” Olive looked up, stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He was just priing in me he air–We
Zyden didn’t meet her eyes.
Ever since he found out what Quinn had gone through in prison, he couldn’t look at Clive without seeing hunt and armaise
Otve felt him slipping away. Her panic spiked.
She bend into telini again
Zades didn’t finch
Desperate, she turned to Xavier and snapped. This is your fault! You told me to wait there! If you hadn’t. I wonin – have n
Quin. None of this would’ve happened”
She wiped her tears walked straight over to Zayden, and looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes.
Zydm picase. You know I’m not like what they re saying. Please don’t call off the engagement. Please?”
Send Grits
12:10 AM
The Disowned Heiress Fire and Ashes
Chapter 14 Scarred
