Chapter 398

398
Carmen tracked Callin down to a fragrance tasting event in Departure City
The moment she arrived, she spotted Caitlin in an elegant pale blue gown, surrounded by a group of well dressed society women, all eagerly chatting with her.
By now, Caitlin’s status as the heir to yun’s Tragrance & Dye Studio had been widely recognized throughout Departure City. Add to that her identity as the perfumer Odessa, and she had quickly become a sought–after figure in the city’s high society circles
Socialites and luxury housewives all wanted custom fragrances crafted by her. Some fragrance companies even approached her with offers to co–develop new lines of perfume.
Her ability to navigate these circles with such case came down largely to the influence of Hayden and Randall. One was her uncle, the other her cousin, and with their connections, Caitlin was seamlessly introduced to the who’s who of Departure City’s elite fashion, perfume, and business scenes.
Just as Caitlin was enjoying polite conversation, a shrill, unpleasant voice cut through the room.
“Caitlin
All eyes turned toward the entrance, where Carmen stormed in, her expression thunderous.
Caitlin wasn’t surprised. She had already guessed Carmen would show up–and why.
Randall immediately stepped forward.
“Carmen ! ”
“You don’t even see me anymore, do you?”
Carmen snapped, showing no regard fo
for Randall’s presence
“What’s going on?” Randall asked, completely confused by her sudden fury
He hadn’t seen the news–he’d pulled an all–nighter working on a proposal , and headed straight to the fragrance event in the morning. No one at the venue had mentioned the Yuncey Family scandal either, so he was totally in the dark..
“Figures. You clearly don’t care about the family at all”
Carmen ignored him and marched straight toward Caitlin, confronting her head–on.
“You set my brother up, didn’t you ?!”
Caitin’s gaze remained calm and aloof.
“ I’m not sure what you mean, Carmen. What does Douglas‘ situation have to do with me?”
Most of the women at the event already knew what had happened to the Yuncey Family. They just hadn’t brought it up out of respect. But with Carmen’s outburst, the whispering began.
She must be talking about the whole Douglas arrest thing…”
“I heard he was accused of sexual assault again. Isn’t he the one always pretending to be some model gentleman?”
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“Apparently it’s not even the first time. Unreal……,”
The murmurs only made Carmen’s expression darker.
“Don’t pretend!” she snapped. “You invited Douglas to that hotel under the pretense of a business talk, then set him up to be arrested. I’m warning you–go to the police now and clear his name!”
The more furious Carmen became, the calmer Caitlin appeared.
“Carmen, watch your words. I went to the police this morning and cooperated fully. Douglas was the one who asked to meet. I had no idea he planned to do something like that. The victim called the police, they collected evidence, and the case is being handled through legal
channels.
“I don’t own the police station. I can’t just “ make them” release him. It has to go through the law. Right, everyone?”
She turned to the socialites around her. They nodded in agreement.
Carmen glanced around. Many of the attendees were her acquaintances, and she felt her temper flare.
“Don’t let this woman fool your She’s a cunning liar!”
“Carmen, are you trying to ruin my name because I exposed your fake Fragrance Garments launch? Caitlin asked coolly.
“ You’re still playing the victim?”
Carmen was losing it. She snatched up a wine glass and threw its contents toward Caitlin–but Randall stepped in just in time and took the
splash for her.
Wine dripped from his hair and collar, He wiped his face and snapped, “Carment Take this somewhere else. You’re not making a scene here.”
He tried to push her toward the door, but Carmen resisted.
“I’m not making a scene! Caitlin, go to the police and clear Douglas‘ name now!”
“If your brother is innocent, the truth will come out. Justice doesn’t need my help.”
“Get out of my way! I’m not leaving until I deal with this bitch!”
Carmen shoved Randall aside and lunged at Caitlin again.
“You think you can ruin someone’s life and just stand there ke nothing happened?!”
She grabbed a wine bottle from a nearby table and hurled it at Caitlin–this time, Hayden intervened. He caught the bottle mid – air and clamped down on Carmen’s wrist.
“I’m the one hosting this event,” he said, voice icy. “Cause another scene and I’ll have you dragged o regret it”
His partiality toward Caitlin couldn’t have been more obvious.
out of here. Touch Cagain, and you’ll
Maybe it was the memory of being slapped four times by him last time, or the dangerously cold look in his eyes–but Carmen finally froze.
She glanced around and saw the disapproving stares of all the guests. The embarrassment hit her like a slap.
She realized her outburst had destroyed her image as the Yuncey Family heiress. Whatever dignity she had left was now gone.
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“Fine… I see how it is. You’re all working together..
Burning with rage but too humiliated to continue, Carmen backed off. She was about to retreat and figure out a plan when the door
opened again
Several uniformed police officers stepped inside. One of them stepped forward and presented a warrant.
“Carmen Yuncey, based on credible witness testimony, you are under suspicion of involvement in a murder case. This is an arrest warrant. Please come with us.”
Gasps echoed through the room
Carmen froze, stunned speechless..
Only when the cold steel cuffs clicked around her wrists did she fully grasp what was happening.
“I didn’t kill anyone! What are you doing?! Let me go–I didn’t do anything!”
Her panicked screams faded as officers escorted her from the event.
The room exploded in whispers.
ncey… accused of murder? No way!”
“Carmen Yuncey…
“She totally looked like she was about to kill Caitlin a minute ago ! Good thing The Fixer stepped in!”
“She’s dangerous. Maybe she really did it…”
Listening to the chatter, Caitlin’s expression didn’t change–but deep Inside, she let out a cold laugh.
Carmen only had herself to blame.
Caught in her own trap–poetic justice.
This was the third strike in her campaign against the Yuncey Family. And it had landed hard .
And the next wave?
Would hit even harder.
AD