Chapter 87
Traffic still flowed steadily along the highway, even in the dead of night []
Adeline cruised with her window down, letting the cool breeze wash over her. The wind carried hints of flowers from somewhere distant Streetlights stretched endlessly ahead, a glowing pathway into the darkness]
She hadn’t lied to Zarek–she really was heading to her grandmother’s.[]
The video response they’d originally planned for Summer to record–after thinking it through, Adeline had decided to do it herself []
Maybe this was the final round in this ugly fight.[]
She could tell Tristan was exhausted too.
With any luck, by the time she returned, he’d have come to his senses and they could finally put an end to this mess.[]
Fearing that Evelyn and the Granthams might try something desperate, she needed to get out of the city for a few days. No sense in a unicorn trying to take on a pride of lions directly
Meanwhile
Both the Kelces and Granthams had seen Adeline’s counterattack.]
They were absolutely livid.]
In their fury, they’d forgotten something important: Adeline was a recent Harmonex executive. She hadn’t been gone long enough for IT to revoke her access to the company’s social accounts.]
Even if they had, she still had loyal staffers at the penthouse.[]
And Tristan himself might have given her backdoor access.]
Amanda called Tristan repeatedly, but he wouldn’t pick up.]]
Howard glared at her, his face stone–cold. “You should never have let that Grantham tramp manipulate you. Look at this disaster. Not only have you humiliated us, but the company’s taking a massive hit. How the hell did I end up such a clueless wife?“[]
Amanda had already spent the day feeling cornered and miserable. Her son was treating her like an enemy, and now her husband was piling on. Something inside her finally snapped.[]
with
“Yeah, I’m clueless! Why don’t you just upgrade to someone smarter? Oh wait, you already have–Sophia Wright has been keeping your bed warm abroad all these years, hasn’t she? Why not just move that homewrecker and her bastard into the Kelce mansion? Make her the new Mrs. Kelce and let her brat inherit everything!]]
CRACK
Howard slapped her hard across the face. “Who the hell are you calling a homewrecker and a bastard?”
Amanda touched her cheek, stunned that he’d actually hit her.[]
She laughed bitterly. “At least Adeline lives life on her own terms. What did I get for turning a blind eye for twenty years? You playing house abroad with your mistress while I sit here alone maintaining your precious family image. And now I’m clueless‘ on top of it all Yeah, I guess I am. Truly, truly clueless.“[]
She turned and headed upstairs, defeated.]]
“Amanda”
Howard immediately regretted hitting her They’d kept the peace for so many years; he shouldn’t have crossed that line.
The moment Amanda closed her bedroom door, her phone rang–Evelyn, calling like a loan shark after missed payments
She’d already ignored several calls downstairs, but Evelyn was relentless.]
She locked the door before answering “Instead of harassing me, maybe focus on damage control for this PR nightmare![]
Evelyn’s voice oozed menace “You think I’m worried? Just because she shot down your evidence doesn’t mean everyone automatically believes her. I know plenty of ways to muddy the waters. But that’s not why I’m calling. I wanted to let you know that if Tristan doesn’t agree to marry me, your dirty laundry will be next to air.
Amanda’s hand trembled so badly she dropped the phone, collapsing to the floor alongside it.[]
She scrambled to pick it up, trying to control her fear and anger I’ve done everything you asked! Now my entire family treats me like a criminal! I’m already paying the price! Besides, you’ve seen it yourself–I have zero influence over Tristan. He doesn’t uten to a damn word I say!“]
Evelyn: “Not my problem. You have que week []
Amarela slumped against the wall, feeling he’d been dunked in ice water. She tried to stand but her legs gave out ()
If Howard discovered that susret be nught actually use it as an excuse to bring that woman and her son into the Kelce household, letting them steal what rightfully belonged to her child []
No Absolutely rut
fiver the best two days []
At first ja lugud Adeliters response compelling and creditde []
But gradually conducting voces exerged |)
Astatus accounts causing in be Hatmates employees jeistest that Adeiner was just playing a part all lake sygely in her valeo boy showing ber the colors during the supuri confruntatura]
The Lube jording to be a hotel engager poused undrace that addues dos corde proved securely concrete details the butt entrance column wer der Fational day and wrapped in potest
Bary v RICH hop popping up!
they alone had cracked the case]
One tech blogger took a different angle, pointing out that with today’s Al technology, face–swapping was trivial Manipulating video, altering voices, or faking chat logs was child’s play.
Eventually, even body language experts and psychologists joined the feeding frenzy, happy to boost their profiles with hot takes.[]
Public opinion split down the middle.
Plus, the fact that Tristan contradicted his mother publicly at this critical moment suggested that Adeline hadn’t “disappointed him as claimed. His tone indicated guilt, not resentment.]
Others rallied behind Evelyn.
Their reasoning the wealthy heiress had a more passionate, genuine approach to love. Maybe she truly didn’t realize she was becoming “the other woman.” Once she fell for him, it was too late to back out. She was willing to kneel for lov to silently endure public humiliation–clearly, her feelings ran deep.]
They also questioned; if Evelyn bad hurt Amanda before, why would Amanda defend her now? It made no sense.[]
This spectacle continued for days.[]
Users waited eagerly for the next episode” in the saga.
Yet strangely, all the key players went completely silent.[]
Rex and Liam monitored developments daily, quietly briefing Zarek.[]
Zarek listened carefully each time, though his reactions remained measured.[]
Early morning.
Adeline rose from bed and stretched on the balcony, watching waves crash against the shore.
She hadn’t checked social media these past few days–her phone remained off and buried in her bag.
But she could guess how things were playing out.]
The online world had its own rules–once you knew the playbook, your opponents could use the same tactics. The result was always a swirl of truth and lies, clarity lost in the chaos.
Two nights ago, she’d driven all night, reaching her grandmother’s coastal home by morning.]
After eating something, she’d crashed for nearly twenty–four hours.[]
Only today was she starting to feel human again.[]
Her grandmother’s place sat in a small fishing village, with direct access to the beach. Her parents had been staying here for several days already. Her father was qut at sea with her uncle, while her mother helped her grandmother prepare fish for drying[
Elisabeth Holland and Elaine watched Adeline exercising on the second–floor terrace, both sighing heavily.
“Our daughter’s being dragged through the mud, and we can’t even protect her.” Elaine said, frustration evident in her voice. Suddenly, she paused, a thought takding shape. She turned to her mother, still holding a fish. “Mom, what t. we gu to Los Angeles and tell the Lowells about Adeline? If we can’t shield her from this, they certainly can‘
an
(0)

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Delete, Block, Move On: Your Little Crybaby Upgraded to Untouchable Queen