Chapter 170

Chapter 170:

The hall’s chatter faded into silence.

In elite circles, secrets were common currency. Truth had lost its weight; Brayden’s word now ruled as gospel.

“That’s all?” Gracie murmured, forcing a grin. “I’m on edge p>

Ellie and Aiden had schemed to strike at the annual gala, aiming for Brayden’s throat. Yet the earlier slideshow had been clumsy—unconvincing enough to spark headlines, not ruin.

“Stay poised, flash those teeth for the lenses,” Brayden muttered, smirking as his hand clamped around her waist.

Gracie scanned the crowd: Theo looked bored; Aiden’s lips twisted in icy amusement.

“You fraud! Rot in hell!” A server by the podium yanked a blade and charged Brayden.

The assault was too sudden, too close; even security froze. Gracie’s face blanched. She shoved Brayden aside and threw up her arm to intercept the blade. Pandemonium exploded.

Valeria and her friends flinched, hands flying to their faces. Steel kissed Gracie’s flesh, and crimson blood splattered across the marble floor.

In that heartbeat’s pause, Brayden’s boot drove the attacker down.

Guards piled on, pinning the man flat.

With his face ground into the carpet, he snarled at Brayden through bloodshot eyes. “You wrecked Lia, yet now you play innocent? You heartless jerk p>

He cackled at Gracie. “He’ll ditch you too—mark my words p>

His shrieks ricocheted through the room and into every livestream. Brayden caught Gracie as her knees buckled. “You’re hurt. Let’s go to the hospital p>

Read exclusive stories Fi〇m

“Just a nick,” Gracie rasped, shaking her head. “The gala’s still underway—you have to keep it together p>

Brayden studied her ashen cheeks, his gaze tangled with guilt.

“Fine,” he said.

A bodyguard rushed up, grim. “Sir, the main doors are locked from the outside—the handles are scorching, and smoke’s seeping through the gaps p>

“Rear exit?” Brayden asked, his brow creasing, voice steady. “Take the guests that way p>

“Sealed tight. Every door’s a coffin lid.” The bodyguard’s tone was heavy with gravity.

Whoever engineered this attack wasn’t after wounds—they wanted everyone wiped out. Even if a few escaped, the Stanley name would be forever tarnished.

It was cold. Ruthless.

Gracie and Brayden shared a quick glance before turning to the spot where Aiden had stood—now eerily vacant.

Gracie coughed, frail. “Get Grandpa and the rest out. I’ll manage the evacuation p>

Brayden’s stare burned with worry. “You’re wounded. I’ll steer them out p>

Charlie planted himself beside Brayden. “I’ve got his back. Go p>

Gracie read the steel in Charlie’s eyes; arguing was useless. Her injury would only drag them down.

“Deal. I’ll lead the others.” She ripped a strip from her gown and cinched the gash.

She reached Kevin, with Valeria at his elbow. “Let’s get out of here p>

“What’s the real story?” Kevin’s sharp instincts, honed over decades in the business world, immediately sensed something was wrong.