Chapter 346

The chaos was escalating beyond containment. The crowd below the stage had begun swallowing Victoria's lies whole. With Margaret Hoffis' testimony added to the mix, everyone became convinced Evelyn was the fraud.

"Two DNA tests don't lie. What could be more accurate than science?" a voice rang out from the audience.

Someone pointed accusingly at Evelyn. "Your own mother came forward with proof. Two DNA tests confirm you're her daughter."

The murmurs grew into a deafening uproar.

Evelyn stood tall, her voice cutting through the noise. "Science is reliable, but results can be fabricated. Dorothy Simmons is not my mother. For three years, I lived as her daughter because of her real child." Her finger swung toward Victoria. "She stole not just my identity, but my entire family."

Then she turned her piercing gaze to Victoria, enunciating each word. "After my memory loss, she sent me to her family to serve them."

"You're the liar here!" Victoria shrieked. "I have DNA proof. Videos of my parents and relatives testifying for me!"

This seemed like irrefutable evidence of Victoria's identity, while Evelyn had nothing but her fractured memories.

Meanwhile, Reginald Winslow burned with humiliation as his son's engagement party descended into farce because of Evelyn.

Desperate to regain control, he whispered to Police Chief Theodore Graves. "Have your men escort her to the station to cool off. Investigate quietly after the party concludes."

"Understood, Mr. Winslow," Graves nodded.

Two officers ascended the stage, flashing badges in Evelyn's face. "You're coming with us to the station."

Evelyn froze. Rosalind Baskins released Dorothy, rushing to shield Evelyn. "You should be arresting the impostor, not us!"

"This is Mr. Winslow's engagement party, not an interrogation room," the officer snapped.

Rosalind glanced back at Evelyn for guidance. A subtle head shake conveyed their predicament - walking out with police would cement Victoria's legitimacy in the public eye.

For Reginald, only the political alliance with the wealthy family mattered. He didn't care if Victoria was truly a Hoffis. He knew Nathaniel's marriage would collapse if Evelyn proved to be the real heiress.

"Now," the officer pressed gently.

Evelyn's eyes sought Liam Blackwood in the crowd. He watched intently, allowing her to handle the situation independently unless absolutely necessary.

But when he saw the helplessness flicker across her face, he leaned toward Ryan Sullivan with quiet instructions.

As the officers advanced, Rosalind and Evelyn retreated step by step.

"We have another witness!" Rosalind suddenly declared, pointing to Rosalind Fairchild in the audience. "She's Evelyn's closest friend. She can testify!"

All attention swung to Rosalind Fairchild, who trembled under the sudden scrutiny. Taking shaky steps forward, she pointed at Victoria. "Sh-she's not Cassandra Wright. She's my childhood friend, Evelyn Carter."

Victoria flushed crimson. "I've never met you! You're conspiring with them to frame me!"

Rosalind Fairchild pulled out her phone, scrolling through photos. "Look at my gallery. We have pictures together. Even with plastic surgery, the changes aren't that drastic."

"Photos can be edited," Victoria countered.

The officer gestured at Rosalind Fairchild. "You're coming to the station too. All three of you will be questioned together."

As two officers seized Evelyn and Rosalind Baskins, the situation spiraled out of control. The trap was closing around them.