Chapter 562
The black Bentley sped toward Sterling Manor.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Helena had been a nervous wreck since she got in the car, an unshakable anxiety written all over her face.
She looked up, her voice sharp as she warned everyone inside. “Everything that happened at the gala stays between us.
When we get back to the manor, no one is to breathe a word of this to the matriarch p>
More than the financial loss, she dreaded the matriarch finding out she had used the ancestral heirloom to trade for that one-of-a-kind necklace.
And now, even that unique piece had been swapped out for a fake!
The driver and bodyguards lowered their heads in unison. “Yes, ma’am p>
Only Celeste, sitting beside her, felt the crushing weight in her chest refusing to lift.
She looked at Helena’s panicked profile and spoke up cautiously.
“Helena… I’m afraid we can’t hide it p>
Helena stiffened and whipped her head around to look at her.
Celeste slowly handed over her phone.
The screen was flooded with videos from the gala.
“The commotion was too big, and there were too many reporters. You know how much influence Mr. Pierce has.
His public verdict was captured live and broadcasted everywhere. The news has already torn through the capital’s high society p>
Celeste furrowed her brows, looking deeply distressed.
“The manor is highly connected, and Grandma is always the first to know everything.
Even if we don’t say a word, someone has definitely tipped her off by now… We should mentally prepare ourselves p>
Those words were like a bucket of ice water splashing Helena awake.
How could she possibly keep this from the matriarch?
Despite her old age, the matriarch was sharper and more ruthless than anyone.
Helena’s face instantly turned ashen.
Just then, the car pulled into the manor’s driveway.
The moment it stopped, Helena was already pushing the door open when she spotted the figure leaning heavily on a cane in the courtyard.
The matriarch wore a dark, elegant traditional blouse. Her back was perfectly straight as she stood in the center of the cobblestone courtyard
Her wrinkled face was ashen with fury, a storm of unsuppressed rage brewing in her eyes.
She hadn’t waited inside; she already knew everything and was standing out there, specifically waiting for their return.
The moment their eyes met p>
All the blood drained from Helena’s face. Her legs gave out, her knees nearly slamming into the car door.
The two bodyguards beside her reacted instantly, rushing forward to hold her steady.
Helena’s heart hammered wildly against her ribs. She didn’t dare meet the matriarch’s gaze.
For her entire life, she had been the picture of grace and dignity, never once losing her composure in front of her mother-in-law.
Yet today, she was a pathetic, trembling mess who couldn’t even stand on her own two feet.
Watching her pathetic display, the matriarch slammed her cane hard against the ground.
“You didn’t go weak in the knees when you were making a fool of yourself out there! So why can’t you even stand up when you see me p>
Helena’s lips trembled. She took two shaky steps forward, her voice thin and quivering.
“Mother… I lost my composure tonight… but I, I really had no idea when those things were p>
“You fool p>
The matriarch cut her off sharply before she could even finish.
“Items of such immense value were swapped right under your nose, and you didn’t notice a damn thing?
You strutted around wearing fakes, showing off to everyone. Haven’t you embarrassed the Sterlings enough? Wasn’t your title as tho capital’s wealthiest socialite foud enough for you p>
Tears instantly pooled in Helena’s eyes.
She had been married into the family for over thirty years, and the matriarch had never spoken to her in such a tone.
She came from a good background, was highly educated, and had always been respectful. Since joining the family, she had never even raised her voice at her mother-in-law.
The matriarch had always treated her with polite courtesy.
Today was the very first time she was being relentlessly berated, every word whipping across her face like a thorny vine.