As Henry’s words echoed through the room, an unsettling silence descended. He pressed on, his tone calm but cutting. “Could it be that Sister Alora only told you that Liza was my brother’s mistress, deliberately leaving out the fact that she is actually his wife? Is that why you looked down on her so much? You assumed that even if you offended her, my brother wouldn’t bother to intervene because, in your mind, she’s just a kept woman.” All eyes turned toward Alora, and the weight of their gazes made her heart clench. Her face turned ghostly pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably. The composure she always prided herself on was crumbling under the pressure. Even Liza was slightly surprised by Henry’s pointed question. After all, Henry had always maintained a cordial relationship with Alora, treating her as a friend. Their bond had been strong, and yet, his words now brimmed with suspicion and sharpness.If Alora were to admit that she had deliberately omitted the truth about Gavin and Liza’s marriage—choosing instead to frame Liza as a mistress—it would expose her as having ulterior motives. It would mean she had intentionally incited Jason against Liza to create trouble for her. In that moment, Alora’s carefully constructed facade of innocence and virtue was hanging by a thread. How could she continue to act the part of a weak, selfless woman? How could she maintain her image in front of the brothers after this? Henry’s gaze was unwavering, his voice growing colder. “Sister Alora, I remember you once told me that you liked Gavin. But you claimed that your love for him was selfless, that you wanted him to be happy. You said that if he and Liza could get along, you’d step aside gracefully and wish them the best. You even promised not to interfere in their relationship. “But what are you doing now? Behind the scenes, you’ve been scheming, spreading lies that Liza is nothing more than a mistress. Worse, you’ve manipulated others into targeting her!”Alora’s face drained of all color. Her heart raced as if it might leap out of her chest. It’s over. Everything is over. She could feel the weight of the crowd’s judgmental stares bearing down on her, each one threatening to expose the truth she had tried so hard to hide. Desperate, she stammered, her voice trembling. “I-I didn’t… Cousin, say something! I told you a long time ago that Gavin and Liza are married. I never said that Liza was a mistress! Please, help me clear this up!” She turned pleadingly to Jason, but his face was pale and his fists clenched tightly. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead as he stood frozen, caught between fear and indecision. Jason knew exactly what she wanted him to do—take the blame for her lies. But the choice wasn’t easy. If he chose to defend himself and expose Alora’s deceit, it would bring disgrace to the Clint family and sever their ties with the Stone family. Yet if he agreed to her demands and shouldered the blame, he would have to live with the fallout. Alora had always been considered the “lucky star” of the Clint and Ashton families. Her connections with the Stone brothers were the sole reason their families had maintained their privileged status. If she were exposed, the consequences would be catastrophic. After a long, agonizing pause, Jason finally made his choice. He let out a shaky breath, as if resigning himself to fate. “Yes… Alora told me that President Gavin and Liza are husband and wife. Earlier, I just… I acted impulsively because I saw Susan being wronged.” Henry’s expression flickered with surprise. Despite all the evidence, Jason still chose to cover for Alora. The truth was clear, yet the lie persisted. Gavin’s sharp eyes met Alora’s, catching the fleeting smile that had momentarily graced her lips. With a cold snort, he spoke with disdain, “You two truly are relatives. Alora, do you have anything to say for yourself?” Alora took a deep breath, forcing herself to maintain a composed demeanor. Her voice was steady, though her mind raced. “I told my cousin about your relationship with Liza a long time ago. I had no idea he would say something so thoughtless. Moreover, Liza is your wife—why would I ever insult her like that?” Her words were carefully chosen, but her intentions were clear. She needed to pin the blame entirely on Jason. If she failed, Gavin’s suspicion of her would solidify into disdain—something she could not afford. Gavin’s gaze darkened as his lips curled into a faint sneer. “Alora,” he said slowly, his tone filled with icy finality, “relay this message to The Head of the Clint Family. Either he expels Jason from the Ashton family, or I’ll make sure both your families vanish from Li City.” The weight of his words sent a shiver down Alora’s spine. She had underestimated how merciless Gavin could be when provoked. Jason, standing frozen nearby, turned pale as the reality of the situation sank in. Expelled from the Ashton family? For a moment, he struggled to process what was happening. All he had done was throw a few insults at Liza. How had things escalated to this? But then a chilling thought struck him. Was this all Alora’s doing? Had she orchestrated everything, including Susan deliberately colliding with Liza? The punishment Gavin demanded felt far too severe for what seemed like a minor misstep. Why should he bear the brunt of the consequences for something that was part of Alora’s scheme? With desperation bubbling inside him, Jason blurted, “President Gavin, I didn’t—” “Cousin!” Alora interrupted sharply, her tone laced with urgency. Her expression was tense but firm. “Liza is Gavin’s wife. How could you disrespect her by calling her a mistress? Your words were reckless, and while I know you didn’t mean them maliciously, they’ve caused a grave offense. “Since you’ve made such a mistake, you must accept the consequences. If Gavin insists on expelling you from the Ashton family, it’s only fair. Otherwise, do you think my brother will let this go?” Her words struck like a dagger, and Jason’s eyes widened in disbelief. Alora’s betrayal hit him harder than Gavin’s threats. They had always been close, yet here she was, throwing him under the bus to save herself. For Alora, there was no other choice. Gavin’s suspicion of her was already dangerously high. Admitting to her involvement would only confirm his doubts and ruin her completely. She had to ensure the blame stayed with Jason, no matter the cost. Jason’s hands trembled as his lips twitched, trying to form a response. Finally, he let out a hollow laugh—one that carried a mix of bitterness and resignation. It’s pointless to argue now. If he exposed Alora’s involvement, Gavin might spare him, but he knew what would follow. President Clint wouldn’t forgive him for betraying the family’s so-called “lucky star.” His life would be made unbearable either way. As Jason laughed bitterly, he silently accepted his fate, knowing he had been sacrificed to protect Alora’s carefully constructed facade.