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Chapter_138
Yvette’s voice, calm and even, cut through the tense air. “Why should I care about the truth when everything around us is based on lies?” she said, her eyes glinting with a mix of arrogance and amusement. “If you want to blame someone, blame me. But remember, if you want to accuse me, make sure you have all your facts straight.”
Her words, though softly spoken, echoed around the garden, adding to the shock and confusion that had already set in. For a moment, it felt as though the world had stopped turning. Everyone—Cole, the crowd, and even Winona—paused, waiting for the next move.
Winona, still weeping, clutched her chest as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Why would you say something like that?” she sobbed, her voice thick with fake innocence. “I’ve always tried to be nice to you. I’ve never done anything wrong!”
Yvette glanced at her with mild disdain, her lips curling ever so slightly into a smirk. “You’ve done nothing wrong? Perhaps. But everyone can see who’s been pulling the strings from the start,” she said, her gaze moving toward Cole, who was now visibly trembling. His face was a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
Before anyone could process her words, Yvette turned her gaze back to Winona, her eyes narrowing. “You see, Winona, it’s not about what you’ve done, or what I’ve done. It’s about what’s been covered up. And you,” she said, tilting her head with a mocking smile, “you’re in the middle of it.”
There was a long, suffocating silence as Yvette’s words hung in the air. The crowd, stunned by her boldness, could only exchange confused and uncertain looks. Even Richard, who had been ready to defend Winona at all costs, remained still, his expression unreadable.
Sienna, standing to the side, watched Yvette with wide eyes. She hadn’t expected such a bold statement. She glanced at Jeremiah, whose expression was inscrutable, though there was a faint hint of approval in his eyes.
Sienna, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, tried to step forward. “Yvette, wait—” she began, but Yvette raised her hand, stopping her mid-sentence.
“No need to interfere, Sienna,” Yvette said softly, though there was a cutting sharpness in her tone. “Let’s see how this plays out.”
The crowd seemed to hold its breath as Cole’s face twisted in anger. He could no longer hold back. His voice trembled with fury as he snapped, “What is this? Are you accusing me of something now?”
Yvette didn’t flinch. “I’m not accusing you. I’m stating the obvious,” she replied coolly. “You’ve been in the Art Association long enough to know how things work. It’s not about the truth—it’s about power. And right now, you’re the one who’s losing.”
Her words hit like a punch, and the tension in the air grew heavier. Cole’s hands were shaking, his temper barely under control. He opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by the sudden arrival of another figure.
Victor, his face flushed with frustration, stormed toward the center of the crowd. His presence was commanding, but his anger only seemed to make him more reckless. “This is enough!” he snapped, his gaze darting between Winona and Yvette. “Why is this even happening? Why are we letting someone like her stir trouble today of all days? My fiancée is being publicly humiliated, and you’re all standing around doing nothing!”
His words, laced with venom, stung the air, and the crowd shifted uncomfortably. Yet, Yvette’s calm demeanor remained unshaken. She looked up at Victor, her expression unreadable.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Yvette asked, her voice dripping with disdain. “This isn’t about Winona or about you. It’s about something bigger than both of you. If you think you’re the center of everything, then maybe you need a reality check.”
Victor, caught off guard by her audacity, opened his mouth to retort, but Yvette silenced him with a single, piercing glance. The entire garden seemed to go quiet again, every eye on her.
It was at that moment that Jeremiah, who had been silent throughout this exchange, stood up and gently placed a hand on Yvette’s shoulder. His touch was subtle but grounding, and it gave her the assurance she needed to finally speak her mind without hesitation.
With a quiet smile, Yvette addressed the crowd, her voice firm and clear. “This painting?” she began, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. “It’s fake. And it’s not just a simple forgery. It’s a symbol of something much more. But if you want to play this game, I’ll be more than happy to show you exactly how deep this rabbit hole goes.”
The shock of her statement rippled through the garden, and people began murmuring amongst themselves, casting suspicious looks toward Winona. Cole’s eyes widened, and for the first time, his smugness seemed to falter.
Winona, now pale and trembling, tried to steady herself but failed. “You— You’re lying!” she stammered. “That’s not true! The painting was a gift! You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Yvette’s smile widened, but her eyes were cold. “I don’t need to explain myself to you, Winona. But let’s see how long you can keep pretending, shall we?”
And with that, the stage was set. The game of power, deceit, and hidden truths had only just begun. The crowd stood on the edge, unsure of where the next turn would lead, but one thing was certain: Yvette was no longer just a spectator in this game. She was the one pulling the strings now.
