Chapter 251

Evelyn's thoughts whirled in disarray. Dorothy was outside Royal Heights?

She threw on her clothes in haste. With two burly bodyguards flanking her, she left Blackwood Manor and headed toward the heavily secured gates of the government compound.

Royal Heights housed Norvania's elite—high-ranking officials and foreign dignitaries. Its perimeter bristled with armed guards, barring unauthorized entry.

When Evelyn stepped beyond the gates, the chaotic sight that greeted her ignited white-hot fury. Her hands clenched into trembling fists.

Behind Dorothy, several relatives held up banners that read: "Evelyn, your mother begs for mercy—free Vincent and Dominic."

Dorothy knelt before the signs, her tear-streaked face the picture of maternal anguish. At least two-thirds of the gathered crowd were reporters, their cameras and phones trained on the scene.

Seeing Dorothy's performance, Evelyn's eyes burned with betrayal. Though not her biological mother, she'd given Dorothy three years of genuine devotion. Even a stray dog would show more loyalty than this woman who seemed determined to ruin her.

"Dorothy," Evelyn's voice shook with barely contained rage. "What are you doing?"

The older woman burst into fresh tears. "My darling, I was wrong! Terribly wrong!"

The media frenzy intensified at Evelyn's appearance. Reporters surged forward, cameras flashing, live streams broadcasting the confrontation worldwide.

The bodyguards closed ranks around Evelyn. "Madam," one murmured urgently, "let's return home. Mr. Blackwood should handle this."

Evelyn's heart ached. While she relied on Liam, she couldn't burden him with every crisis. Between national security, corporate affairs, and his brother Donovan's critical condition, he had enough to manage.

Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire. The relatives behind Dorothy began hurling accusations—ungrateful daughter, abandoning her family, using Liam's influence to imprison Vincent and Dominic.

"Imprison?" Evelyn's mind raced. If Dorothy truly wanted to help, she'd have contacted her privately. This spectacle wasn't about justice—it was emotional blackmail.

"Why were they arrested?" Evelyn demanded coolly.

Dorothy continued sobbing dramatically. A relative answered, "Dominic got caught in human trafficking, and Vincent committed rape while drunk! All your husband's doing!"

Evelyn's laugh was sharp as broken glass. "Did Liam force them to traffic people? Or rape someone? Why blame him for their crimes?"

The relative sneered. "Everything was fine until you appeared on television! Then suddenly they're arrested—who else could be responsible?"

"That only proves they were good at hiding their crimes," Evelyn countered. "If Liam framed them, Dorothy wouldn't be kneeling here unharmed. The truth speaks for itself."

Silence fell over the crowd like a heavy curtain.