Chapter 203
Chapter 203:
Tears welled up in Paola’s eyes, but she held them back and looked pitiful. “Percy, stop.”
She tugged gently at his arm, her voice shaking. “This is all my fault. I wasn’t strong enough… And you got hurt because of me.”
Laurel’s eyes reddened. “It’s my fault as a mother. I couldn’t protect you two.”
Terrance added with a sigh, “Kendrick, I know Rylie’s your granddaughter, and it’s only natural to favor her, but can you—”
“Stop pretending,” Deandre cut in sharply, his presence commanding. His background in dealing with shady businesses made the Garretts tense up immediately. “Whether that viral video is true or fake, Paola, you know the answer. If I dig deeper, it won’t end well.”
His words sent a chill down Paola’s and Laurel’s spines.
Paola’s heart skipped. “What are you saying, Deandre? I don’t understand.”
Before Deandre could continue, Rylie spoke up. “Paola, I don’t know where you got such ridiculous information, but I didn’t even take part in the competition.”
Her words stunned everyone.
“You didn’t participate?” Paola asked, completely thrown off.
A small smile appeared on Rylie’s lips. “I don’t know who started the rumor that I joined. I never did. Paola, where exactly did you hear that? Doesn’t it sound a bit far-fetched?”
Paola stammered. “But… But everyone said they saw you register for the preliminaries.” She was at a loss. This was the last thing she expected. How could Rylie not have participated?
“I’m not a contestant.” Rylie shrugged. “So there’s no way Marcus bribed anyone. But, Paola…” She paused, her smile turning cold. “I heard that during the second round, there was a serious case of bribery. A contestant bribed the judges, and the head of Eshea’s division found out. The rules were changed on the spot.”
Paola’s face went pale. After the second round, she had dined with a group of young women from wealthy families. Isabella had even announced Paola would be the winner, and everyone congratulated her.
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If that bribery was exposed… Paola tried to keep calm, choosing her words carefully. “How do you know that, Rylie? That’s serious. Did a contestant report it?”
“It was discovered by X. Aria,” Rylie replied with a blink. “He’s one of the judges in the Eshea division this year.”
Paola felt her legs go weak. If someone as powerful as X. Aria accused her of bribery, her future would be finished.
Laurel, too, grasped the seriousness of the situation; this matter was far more severe than Percy being unable to join the military — it could ruin her daughter’s reputation!
Brad had been quietly watching the whole time. He rose to his feet. “Seems like there’s nothing left for me here. I’ll head out.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Rylie said as she stood up.
“Let Felix do it,” Kendrick suddenly said. “Rylie, help me to the garden. I want to look at the flowers.”
Brad’s lips twitched downward, his gaze darkening.