Chapter 128
Yancey gripped his phone tightly, feeling completely humiliated.
He then took a deep breath and said, “Check the news yourselves! The audio recording between Alice and the doctor is all over the internet. Do you have any idea how many people are laughing at me right now? Calling me a fool who got played by a devious woman who’s been putting on an innocent front!”
He spun around, furious, and stormed toward the door.
It was the first time Alice had ever seen him like this. He had never gotten mad at her before. Panic surged through her, and she ran after him while pulling out her phone.
“Yancey, what news are you talking about? I don’t know anything about this. I swear, I don’t know!”
She tapped open the trending recording, and the moment the audio started playing, her face went pale.
Carmen and Liam were frozen in place too, completely stunned and unable to believe what they were hearing.
Alice’s eyes filled with panic as she quickly tried to deny it. “It’s fake! It’s been doctored! It’s all Grace! She faked it! She’s framing me!”
She burst into tears.
Carmen didn’t hesitate to believe her. The voice in the recording sounded too vicious. It didn’t sound anything like the sweet, gentle Alice she knew.
Yancey didn’t move. Watching her cry used to make his heart ache. But now, all he felt was irritation. How could someone have so many tears on command? Why didn’t Grace ever cry like this?
He turned to leave again, but Alice lunged for his sleeve.
“Yancey, I swear to God, this isn’t me. Technology these days can fake anything. I swear on my life, that’s not my voice in the recording,”
Yancey’s brows stayed furrowed, his head spinning. “I need to go home and calm down. Take care of yourself.”
Alice broke down again, her eyes swollen from crying. Carmen pulled her into her arms, trying to soothe her. “God knows who faked that video,” she murmured, shaking her head. Alice sobbed into her hands. “Who else? It’s definitely Grace. She’s getting back at us for putting her in the psychiatric hospital. But if everyone believes that video’s real, how am I supposed to face anyone ever again?”
Exactly. If society believed that voice was hers, how could she ever marry into the Hendersons?
Carmen’s nerves started fraying. If Grace really did this, they’d have to find her and make her clear Alice’s name immediately.
“Don’t worry, Alice. I’ll go look for Grace.”
But Alice was already spiraling. Her wedding was around the corner. If this scandal ruined everything, then everything she had schemed for–everything she had sacrificed–would go up in
smoke.
No. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to find Grace. She needed to make her retract everything and say the recording was fake and edited.
Alice still believed deep down that she had control. After all, Grace used to treat her so well, giving her everything and always putting her first. But Alice had never once seen it as kindness. She saw it as showing off. So, she pretended to be pitiful, painting herself as the bullied one.
And the more generous Grace was, the more people assumed she was manipulative.
Now, Alice knew she couldn’t confront Grace head–on anymore. She had to play nice. She had to win her back and then find another opening.
She suddenly thought of Sloan and hurried to call him in secret before launching into a tearful rant. She cried, “It wasn’t me. I don’t know how that audio recording even exists. If everyone turns on me… I’m done.”
Sloan was completely wrapped around her finger, so he believed every word she said. And just like that, he was full of pity.
“Don’t worry, Alice. I’ll figure something out. Worst–case scenario, I’ll abduct Grace and make her confess. Then, we’ll make her disappear.”
Alice’s eyes lit up. She sniffled and whispered, “Sloan… You’re the only one who truly cares about me.”
