Chapter 72

Evelina could hardly believe what she was hearing from Cary. "What's the stock price of Gibson Group got to do with me?"

Kristina, clearly disgusted, retorted, "You strip your ex-wife of everything and still expect her to solve your company's problems? I've never encountered anyone as shameless as you! Florrie, can you believe this?"

Florrie responded with a firm, "Never seen it."

She didn't mince words, adding, "Absolutely despicable! A real loser!"

Cary was left fuming, at a loss for words, when Margot emerged from the vehicle.

She'd arrived in the same car as Esme and Cary.

They stayed inside for a while, all because Esme had said, "Ms. Marsh was Cary's wife for three years.This is their business-he should be the one to deal with it. I believe in him."

Witnessing her brother being outnumbered and scolded by several women, Margot felt compelled to intervene.

"Nonsense!" she shouted at Evelina. "For three years, you lived at our expense, and now you're meddling with the Gibson stock through this divorce drama. It's your mess, and you're fully accountable!"

As Kristina was about to explode, Evelina restrained her, giving Margot a chilling stare. "Exactly how do you suggest | 'take responsibility'?"

Margot, sensing Evelina's distance, smirked triumphantly. "You need to publicly confess at a press conference that it was your infidelity that caused the divorce."

Kristina burst into laughter, her reaction so genuine it filled the air. "Hahaha!"

Margot, perplexed and irritated, said, "Why are you laughing?"

"Having a brain is necessary. Shame you seem to lack one," Kristina said between chuckles. "Accusing Evelina of cheating when your own brother parades his mistress about? That's gold. Maybe a bit more time behind bars would do you good."

Margot, feeling deeply insulted, raised her hand in a flash of anger.

Smack!

Evelina had reacted swiftly, delivering a firm slap to Margot's face.

Margot was taken aback, her hand frozen mid-air,disbelief written all over her face.

From the car, Esme had been observing quietly but now she intervened, stepping out rapidly. "Ms.Marsh! This is unacceptable!"

It finally sank in for Margot-she'd just been slapped by the one person she hated most, and right in front of a crowd.

Fury exploded inside her as she lunged at Evelina,ready to rip the latter to pieces.

But Evelina didn't flinch. She stepped in, yanked Margot by the hair, and landed several sharp slaps in a row.

Esme was slapped by Evelina as well, which took her by surprise and left her crying as she stumbled into Cary's arms.

Cary, cradling Esme, yelled at Evelina, "Have you lost your mind,Evelina?"

Evelina, maintaining her grip on Margot's hair,retorted, "Lost my mind? It seems you're the ones who are completely out of touch!"

Margot was immobilized, wincing at even the slightest tug on her scalp.

Kristina, meanwhile, protected Florrie, thoroughly entertained by the unfolding drama.

With undeniable assertiveness, Evelina said, "Margot orchestrated my kidnapping with Hayden and his crew. I held back on pressing charges out of respect for Demi, but these slaps? They're long overdue!"

She yanked harder on Margot's hair, forcing the latter to meet her gaze. "Remember to keep it polite whenever you see me, Margot. I can revoke my forgiveness any day, and without my goodwill,you could be facing a cell again. Got it?"

Tears streamed down Margot's face as she frantically blinked to indicate her understanding, unable to nod due to the pain.

Finally, Evelina released her, wiping her hands as if she had touched something horrible.

Margot, not one to concede defeat easily, lunged at Evelina once more.

"Watch out!" Kristina, just as she was passing a tissue to Evelina, spotted Margot's underhanded move and cried out in warning.

With quick reflexes, Evelina dodged backward.

Unable to halt her momentum, Margot stumbled and landed face-first on the ground.

"Margot!" Esme, full of worry, rushed to assist her.

Turning from the fallen Margot, Evelina then fixedher gaze on Esme. "Miss Barton, did you orchestrate this day's events?"

Esme shook her head vigorously, stammering,"I have no idea what you mean!"

Evelina scoffed, "Clearly, it's obvious who gains the most from leaking the divorce, right? Are you planning to marry Cary next?"

Caught off guard, Esme felt her pulse race, her scheme laid bare.

Indeed, it was Esme who had spread the news of the divorce.

No matter how hard she tried, she knew she could never be that pure, perfect first love in his heart again. Her place in his heart wasn't what it used to be.

Thus, she was desperate to secure her position by marrying Cary at the earliest opportunity.