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Chapter 171:

Barnard knew that wishing he could turn back time was pointless now. His career lay in tatters, and after crossing Wyatt, he doubted he could ever set foot in Kretol again. Blaming Elena for the mess, Barnard jerked his arm free from her grip. Thrown off balance by her heels, Elena toppled to the ground. Pain jabbed sharply through her knee and ankle.

She glared at Barnard, wishing he’d pay for dragging her into this, but her strength was nothing against his. All she could do was stare him down.

“You promised me something different when we spoke. You said there wasn’t a story in Kretol you wouldn’t dare break. Why are you changing your mind now p>

Hearing her accusations, Barnard’s anger boiled over. Not missing the mockery in her gaze, he retorted, “You were the one who spread lies about Amelia chasing after Mr. Stewart, but now everyone knows he fell for her the moment he saw her. You tried to ruin her reputation p>

Elena subconsciously wanted to refute him but found no words to do so. Wyatt’s public confession, made in front of all those reporters, had erased her every excuse. Watching her struggle to hide her frustration, Barnard couldn’t help but feel a rush of triumph.

A sudden idea crossed his mind. He narrowed his eyes and stared at her suspiciously. “Or maybe you started those rumors because you have feelings for Mr. Stewart p>

He wasn’t wrong—Barnard’s instincts as a reporter rarely failed him. Elena’s cheeks reddened, her eyes flashing with embarrassment and fury. Her reaction gave everything away, and Barnard’s smirk only grew.

𝗥e𝗮𝘥 𝘰𝗻 𝗮n𝘺 𝘥𝘦vі𝗰𝗲 𝘰n

“So that’s why you tried to bring Amelia down. You’re selfish to the core p>

“Just stop talking p>

Every scheme Elena pulled had a single goal—winning Wyatt for herself. Barnard’s words stripped away every pretense she had left.

While their quarrel heated up in the basement, Jordy glanced over at the house’s living room, guilt tugging at him. His eyes fell on Amelia’s bruises, making his remorse even heavier.

“Amelia, I have to apologize for what happened p>

“Jordy, you have nothing to apologize for. This isn’t your fault.” Amelia would not blame Jordy for Elena’s actions.

As she spoke, she let out a small yawn. Wyatt noticed immediately and asked, “Would you like to lie down for a bit?” Despite the hour nearing one in the morning, Amelia felt wide awake. She gave a light shake of her head. “No, I’m alright. I don’t feel sleepy p>

Suddenly, a rush of footsteps thundered from the entrance. The living room soon filled with people, and at the front was Carlotta, anxiety etched across her face. Her gaze darted around as soon as she entered, searching for Elena. Not seeing her, she fixed on Jordy. “Jordy, where is Elena p>

“You don’t need to be worried, Carlotta. She’s perfectly safe,” Jordy replied. Even though the basement was grim and uncomfortable, nothing there posed any real risk. He found himself seething at Elena, certain she should learn her lesson from the ordeal.

Carlotta’s unhappiness was obvious. Still, with Elena’s recent trouble in mind, she turned to Wyatt. “Elena made mistakes this time, but we’re family, and Miss Flynn wasn’t hurt, so p>

“Are you struggling to see, Mrs. Green?” Wyatt’s chilly interruption cut her off.

Even with all his skills, Wyatt was young, and Carlotta bristled at his attitude. Without looking her way, Wyatt continued, “Didn’t you catch the marks left on my wife’s face p>

Carlotta had never bothered to see Amelia as someone of consequence. From her perspective, the Flynn family barely mattered, and marrying Wyatt hadn’t changed Amelia’s standing. That made her answer right away. “Those injuries didn’t come from Elena. Why are you p>

“Carlotta p>

Holley, who understood Wyatt’s temper better than most, stepped in just as—

Wyatt’s glare turned colder.

Suddenly, Holley realized why Jordy refused to speak up for Elena. She now felt the same reluctance, though she had to follow through since it was her idea to marry Elena to Wyatt. Regret gnawed at her as she thought back. Had she known what Elena was truly like, she would never have made such plans.

Taking control, Holley nodded toward Kevin, urging him to say something since Elena was his daughter.

“Maybe this is all just a misunderstanding p>

Kevin’s words had barely left his lips before Wyatt turned to Davin. Without delay, Davin tapped the tablet. Elena’s voice, captured as she spoke with Barnard in the basement, echoed for all to hear.

“Mr. Green, do you still think this is a misunderstanding?” Wyatt’s words hit Kevin like a slap, his face shifting in response.

No matter how much it stung, Kevin had no choice but to bow his head. “Wyatt, I am deeply sorry. I failed as a parent, and I apologize p>

“Don’t forget who really deserves your apology,” Wyatt said.

Everyone in the Green family understood the truth—Amelia had borne the brunt of this ordeal, yet none of them ever thought to say sorry to her. To them, apologizing to Amelia felt like a humiliation.

All that remained was a thick silence in the living room, and Kevin’s and Carlotta’s expressions had soured.