Chapter 68
68 The Tables Turn
Halsey had always been proud–too proud to let anyone use him as a pawn.
So when this all started, he hadn’t even bothered to look into the details. He just assumed.
And now, it was clear–he’d been wrong from the very beginning.
Damon dropped his head the second he shot him that glare.
He had nothing to say for himself. He didn’t even dare breathe too loudly.
But something still didn’t sit right with him.
The message he’d gotten said the Nolan Group wouldn’t be pulling off anything impressive this time. That he was supposed to show up and enjoy the show–laugh at their failure.
But what happened? He did come to see a joke. It just turned out the joke was on him.
“Damon.”
A small tug on his sleeve pulled him from his thoughts.
He turned to look.
Linda stood there, eyes red, face full of guilt.
“I’m sorry, Damon,” she whispered.
Before, he might’ve softened the second she spoke–might’ve dropped everything to comfort her.
But now ? His head was a mess.
He didn’t want to say a single word.
He just looked at her–one glance–and turned away again.
Linda’s face stiffened.
She couldn’t believe it.
Of her five brothers, Damon and Boston had always treated her the be
But now–here she was, clearly upset, and Damon didn’t even try to comfort her.
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68 The Tables Turn
He wouldn’t even acknowledge her.
That wasn’t okay.
surge of panic rose in her chest.
Could it be that Damon had realized Alice was more “useful” now and planned to take her side instead?
But he promised! He said she was his only sister!
No way she was letting that happen.
Alice was nothing but trash. She didn’t deserve to exist.
Just then, Alice felt that familiar venomous glare land on her.
She couldn’t care less .
In fact, this was her favorite kind of moment–when someone hated her so much yet couldn’t do a thing about it.
“Mr. Hawkin. ”
She went straight for the kill. “Your favorite student’s really something–coming here just to watch the drama.”
Those words-“to watch the drama–hit like a landmine.
Halsey looked like he was about to explode.
His glare at Damon turned downright murderous.
If looks could flay skin, Damon would already be a skeleton.
Cornered and humiliated, Damon finally turned toward Alice, jaw clenched.
He was still her older brother.
Sure, maybe he was in the wrong. But now that the Nolan Group’s design department had weathered the storm, couldn’t she let it go?
Did she really have to take it this far? Didn’t she care that the Spence night come after her
for this?
Alice just gave a soft laugh and asked with a serious tone.
68 The Tables Turn
“So, Mr. Hawkin’s favorite student–do you have something to say?”
Damon had been trying to make himself invisible.
But with that one callout, there was no hiding. All eyes snapped to him.
Reporters immediately picked up on the tension.
“Wait, did you notice? Those two siblings were siding with Mr. Hawkin the whole time.”
“Exactly. And now it’s like Alice gave them a chance–to choose the right side.
“Turns out blood ties mean nothing when personal gain’s on the line.”
“I used to really respect Mr. Damon. Didn’t expect him to be so morally blind.”
“Right? He couldn’t even say one decent word to Alice. That’s just sad.”
“I bet Mr. Hawkin sees a bit of himself in his student. Two peas.
in a
pod.”
Halsey’s face turned purple .
He spun around and, without hesitation, slapped Damon across the face.
“I trusted you, and this is how you repay me?”
Damon clutched his cheek.
It stung.
His whole face was burning.
But worse than the pain was the shame.
That slap didn’t just hurt. It shattered whatever bond they had.
And it happened in front of cameras.
The media captured every second.
How was he supposed to show his face in public now?
That post claiming to be Halsey’s favorite student on X? Now it just seemed nathetic.
Halsey y must’ve realized it, too–he fumbled for his phone and quickly deleted it.
This kind of desperate cover–up just made Alice think they were laughable.
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68 The Tables Turn
“Linda, what about you?”
Earlier, even after Alice questioned her again and again in front of everyone, Linda Mill ga it serious thought–and sided with Halsey.
It made sense–after all, he had a reputation. He was supposed to be someone who wouldn’t speak without reason.
So when he said the design was no good, everyone believed him.
That’s why Linda had backed the wrong side.
“Alice, Linda said, lowering her head, “I was wrong. I always thought maybe you didn’t get the best education, so you couldn’t possibly compare to someone like Mr. Hawkin.”
Gerald couldn’t help it–he let out a snort–laugh.
“Sure, maybe she didn’t get a fancy education. But that doesn’t mean she lacks character or skill.
“Mrs. Nolan’s the perfect example of that. Honestly, I don’t think I even need to explain.” He puffed up proudly like he’d created the designs himself.
And when the show was over, he looked straight at Eric like he was waiting to be praised.
Halsey was so furious that he just stormed off.
Damon and Linda had no ice but to follow.
As soon as they left, the air felt noticeably lighter.
From then on, it was just Eric negotiating with the two old men. As for Alice? This was no longer her concern.