Chapter 174
Chapter 174:
The piercing trill of Brayden’s phone shattered the heavy silence hanging in the living room like glass under strain. Without a word, he pressed the speaker icon, letting everyone in the room bear witness.
From the other end came Clive’s firm, low voice. “Mr. Stanley, we’ve got full confessions. The man who started the chaos was a deranged follower of Lia. Someone in an online fan forum pushed him to attack during the gala. We’re tracing the source now. As for the fire, the arsonist claims Ellie Sullivan paid him. He was meant to set off fireworks outside the building, but he ignited the drapery by accident. The hired assailants also admitted to receiving cash directly from her. The money was still in their homes when we searched p>
An oppressive quiet fell again.
Ellie’s head snapped up. Her face had lost all color. “No! That’s a lie! I never did any of that p>
Brayden’s expression darkened. His gaze drifted toward Theo and Aiden. “So you’re saying Ellie orchestrated this alone? Do you truly think she has that kind of reach p>
“That’s all the evidence points to for now, sir,” Clive replied steadily. “We’ll keep investigating p>
“Make sure Charlie gets the best medical care,” Brayden said before ending the call. “He fought those attackers without backup. He deserves proper treatment p>
When the phone clicked off, his eyes found Ellie’s trembling form. “Well? Anything to add, Ellie?” His voice carried no warmth.
Ellie’s lips quivered. “I’m being framed. Someone’s trying to ruin me p>
“Then name them,” Brayden pressed. “If you stay silent, who’s supposed to believe you? Or do you intend to shoulder this whole mess alone p>
Her instincts betrayed her; her glance flickered toward Aiden. But before a word escaped her mouth, Erik’s palm slammed the table with a crack.
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“That’s enough!” he barked. “How long will you keep twisting this, Brayden? Are you trying to tear this family apart? If the proof points at Ellie, then handle it. But stop using this as an excuse to play judge and jury p>
Brayden’s tone turned colder than steel. “Dad, you keep butting in. Are you trying to stop the investigation and protect someone p>
“Protect who?!” Erik’s voice thundered, anger rising in his eyes. “You’ve lost it. Since when did you become a detective p>
Across the room, Gracie’s brows drew together.
The air was thick with distrust, but the real key still lay with Ellie. If Ellie confessed, the web would unravel.
“Ellie,” Gracie said softly, her voice like a blade cloaked in velvet. “If you keep lying, you’ll only dig your grave deeper. The evidence alone could put you behind bars. Think of what will happen to you. Your name stripped, your friends mocking you, your life rotting away in a cell. Is that what you want? Because when that happens, you won’t even stand where I do p>
The words struck Ellie like a lash. Her shoulders trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. “No, I don’t want that. I don’t want to go to prison. It’s Ai p>
“Ellie!” Theo’s sharp call cut through her sentence.
He rose slowly and moved to her side, his arm circling her trembling shoulders. “It’s all right. I’m here,” he murmured gently.
“Theo, you have to believe me—it wasn’t me.” Her voice broke, desperate.
Theo gave her hand a soft pat and met Gracie’s eyes. “Gracie, don’t scare her. You know how easily she panics p>
Gracie sank back beside Brayden, her silence deliberate.
Theo turned to Kevin and said slowly, “Grandpa, Ellie can be childish, but she’s not cruel. There’s no way on earth she could have planned something so vicious. And the investigation’s still young—how do we know these confessions weren’t coerced? Whoever’s behind this clearly wants the sisters, who aren’t close to begin with, at each other’s throats p>
“It’s already done,” Gracie whispered.