Chapter 543

 543:
That realization steadied her nerves.
Her gaze flickered to Alexa before settling on Carol. In a composed tone, she said, “This was orchestrated from the beginning, wasn’t it? You set me up at the party.”
Carol chuckled lightly, dragging out her response. “You’re not entirely wrong.”
She didn’t elaborate.
The original plan had been simple—teach Linsey a lesson. Theft hadn’t been part of the equation. But since Alexa had already set the stage, Carol figured there was no harm in playing along—as long as the outcome suited her.
Linsey thought for a moment before speaking again. “Your maid had nothing concrete against me at first. She was just trying to drag me away in the chaos. If I had panicked, she might have succeeded. But I didn’t. Even when some guests wavered, I stood my ground.”
Alexa’s smirk faltered for a split second. She hadn’t expected Linsey to piece things together so quickly.
Carol’s expression flickered with irritation before she masked it with a smirk. “Too bad you figured it out too late.”
Linsey remained unfazed. A faint smile touched her lips.
“When the accusation wasn’t enough, you acted fast. You arranged a fake surveillance video and seized the perfect moment to unveil it.” Linsey’s tone was almost detached, as if she were analyzing someone else’s predicament. “Once that footage played, everything I’d said before lost its weight. The contrast made it easier for people to believe you, and no one cared about my side anymore. To them, I was just a liar wasting their time.”
Carol let out an exasperated scoff. “And? What’s your point? You expect me to clap for you?”
With exaggerated slowness, she raised her hands and gave a mocking round of applause.
Lɒtєѕτ ϲнαρτєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛ovєls.𝓒𝓸𝓶
“Wow! Linsey, you’re a genius. You got it all right. I’m truly impressed.” Leaning in slightly, her voice dripped with amusement. “Maybe you should ditch fashion design and become a detective instead.”
Before Linsey could respond, Carol straightened, crossing her arms as she strolled back and forth. “But honestly? I didn’t plan things that far ahead. I do what I want, and no one stops me. You were just unlucky. If you hadn’t crossed my path, none of this would have happened.”
Linsey studied her intently before asking, “Carol, I really want to know—what exactly did I do to offend you? Why are you so determined to make my life miserable?”
Linsey took a deep breath, her brows knitting together. “From where I stand, there’s no real conflict between us. We live in completely different worlds—so why go to such extremes just to target me?”
Carol didn’t answer right away, but Linsey caught the brief flicker of jealousy on her perfectly made-up face. Why? Carol had everything—the prestige, the wealth, the unquestioned status as a Lawson. Why would she go out of her way to make life miserable for an ordinary designer?
“Shut up!” Carol’s voice lashed out like a whip as she spun around, shoving Linsey hard.
Caught off guard, Linsey let out a sharp gasp as her body lurched sideways. A jolt of panic shot through her, drowning out all thought but one—protect the baby.
Instinct took over. She twisted mid-fall, her arm moving to shield her abdomen while her foot struggled for balance against the corner of the wall.
A sharp, searing pain shot through her wrist and ankle, and her face drained of color. At the same time, her shoulder slammed into a metal shelf, the harsh crash echoing through the storage room.
Even Alexa stiffened in shock. She hadn’t expected Carol to turn violent so suddenly.
For a moment, her hand twitched as if to help Linsey—but then she stopped herself. She couldn’t afford to feel sympathy, not for Linsey.
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