Chapter 189

The microphone creaked dangerously in Nicole's trembling grip.

She bit her lower lip until it bled, the metallic taste flooding her mouth.

The roar of the crowd below crashed over her like tidal waves. Faces that once cheered for her now twisted into grotesque masks of fury.

Thud—

A water bottle struck her forehead with brutal force.

Stars exploded behind her eyelids as she staggered back two steps.

By the time Jenny Keene rushed onstage with security, Nicole was already barefoot, her designer heels lost somewhere in the chaos.

The backstage mirror reflected her disheveled state. Jenny's hands shook as she offered tissues. "Nicole, I'll call PR immediately—"

"No." Nicole stared at her bloodshot reflection, nails digging crescent moons into her palms. "Arrange a meeting with Ethan Ash tonight."

The scandalous video spread like wildfire across social media.

Though the Capra family scrambled to remove all traces, public outrage had already spiraled out of control.

"Fake virgin! Listen to her moans in that video—who's she fooling?"

"Poor Andrew Lucas must be humiliated!"

"Someone should teach this bitch a lesson!"

Susan Thompson closed her laptop with a quiet click.

The storm had erupted more violently than she'd anticipated. Nicole's innocent-girl persona lay in ruins—but that viper wouldn't go down without a fight.

Beneath the covers, sleep eluded her. Nicole's whispered threats with Henry Bartley echoed in her mind—they were targeting Daniel.

Susan clenched the sheets until her knuckles turned white.

One misstep now would send her tumbling into the abyss.

Outside, winter winds howled against the penthouse windows.

Andrew Lucas stood silhouetted against the glass, his tie hanging loose around his neck.

The memory of Susan's trembling lashes as she'd adjusted his tie that morning tugged at his lips.

Knock knock—

Leo Miller entered with a pale face. "Sir, there's... an emergency. It's Miss Capra."

"Susan?" Andrew whirled around, shoulders relaxing slightly when Leo shook his head.

"The video with Henry Bartley..." Leo swallowed hard. "It's gone viral."

Andrew's eyes narrowed at the explicit footage.

Strangely, no rage came—only the sudden memory of another rainy night four years ago.

Henry pinning Susan beneath him.

"Bartley." The name dripped from his lips like poisoned honey.

A shrill ring shattered the silence.

Jenny's scream pierced through the receiver: "Mr. Lucas! Nicole slit her wrists! The ambulance is en route!"