Chapter 78

This was the deal Arabella and Joyce had made -Arabella would help her get revenge, and in exchange, Joyce would hand over the old video.

But now, as everything unfolded, Joyce understood that even if she backed out,Arabella would still find a way to get her hands on that footage.

Gasps echoed through the room. Everyone was stunned.

At the back, Daisy sat still, her face composed as she watched Joyce offer her apology.

Forgiveness wasn't on her mind. And it certainly wasn't on Arabella's either.

Arabella shifted her gaze to Elissa and Kenny."So, are you both still refusing to apologize?"

Elissa's fury boiled over as she lunged toward her. "You're the reason Joyce turned against me! You tore us apart!"

But before she could get close, Joyce stepped in and slapped her hard across the face.

Her voice was full of disgust. "Still playing the victim, Elissa? Was she the one who made you sleep with my boyfriend too?"

Elissa froze. Hearing that kind of anger in Joyce's voice sent a wave of panic through her."Joyce,l..."

But Joyce wasn't done. Her words were calm,each one cutting deep. "You're going to pay for every disgusting thing you did. I'll make sure of it."

Elissa's head spun. Her vision blurred, and she nearly collapsed.

Kenny quickly caught Joyce's hand, trying to stop her. "Come on, Joyce, the three of us-we've been best friends for years. You're really

going to side with someone like Arabella over us? It's not what you think. I'll explain everything later!"

Joyce stared at Kenny, her eyes full of bitter disappointment. Even now, he still thought he could smooth-talk his way out of it.

She yanked her hand away and snapped, "Get lost, Kenny! If you still want a shred of dignity,go apologize to Daisy right now!"

Kenny's face turned grim. Apologize to Daisy?Seriously?

Elissa wasn't backing down either. She suddenly laughed, her voice sharp. "You're unbelievable, Arabella. But if you think this is enough to make us give in, dream on. We didn't do anything wrong. You and Daisy are the problem!"

She kept spouting denials, even with no escape in sight.

The crowd erupted in anger. "Elissa, just ----)

apologize already! You're the one who started all this!"

"Bitch! If you don't say sorry, don't even think about walking out of here unharmed!"

"I'm done supporting Tucker Group and Hyde Group. These rich people think they can crush everyone beneath them!"

The uproar was so loud that even the voices of the people Elissa had paid off were lost in the noise.

But despite the chaos and backlash, neither Elissa nor Kenny looked the least bit sorry.

To them, apologizing meant admitting guilt. As long as they held out, there was still a slim hope they could spin things in their favor.

"I've had enough of this circus!" Elissa snapped,dropping her mask and turning to storm off.

Kenny followed closely behind.

However, just as they neared the exit, two men

stepped into their path-Bennie and Hayden,both clearly fuming.

Without a word, Hayden stormed up and landed a punch right across Kenny's face.

"You little brat!" he barked. "How many times did I tell you to treat Joyce right? And now you've gone and betrayed her? You ruined that girl's name!"

Still seething, he grabbed Kenny by the back of the head and shoved him forward, forcing him into a bow. "Apologize, you idiot!" he shouted,making sure the entire crowd heard him.

The pain was sharp, but what stung more was the public humiliation-Kenny's eyes brimmed with tears.

He wanted to hold out, but Hayden leaned in and hissed, "If you don't apologize now, we'll lose everything. Do you really want to drag the whole company down with you?"

That made Kenny's blood run cold. His father

wouldn't lie about something like that.

Just who was Arabella,really?

"I'm sorry. I lied. Daisy never came on to me.I liked how she looked and tried to approach her,but she turned me down. Out of spite, I spread false rumors," Kenny said, clenching his fists and squeezing his eyes shut as he forced the words out.

The response, both in the room and across the livestream, was instant and furious.

"Spreading lies about a girl like that? Pure evil!"

"If her sister hadn't stepped up, Daisy's entire future could've been destroyed!"

"This is unforgivable. Hyde Group-you've lost me for good."

Hayden glanced at Arabella. When she gave.a subtle nod, he turned back to the crowd. "This is my fault as a parent. I'll ensure the victim receives proper compensation; and Kenny will

be disciplined accordingly."

Without waiting for a reply, he dragged Kenny out of the venue.

Elissa stood frozen in disbelief. Had Hayden really lost it?

But then, Bennie stepped beside her and said urgently, "Elissa, apologize. Right now."

"Dad, what? Why should l? Once I apologize,there's no way to undo it!" Elissa cried out, her voice trembling with disbelief.

"If you don't, we'll be bankrupt in less than an hour!" Bennie hissed, his teeth clenched. "The Gordon family is involved now!"