Chapter 769

Evelyn Sinclair's brows knitted together. "Lucas, could you—"

Before she could finish, Lucas Sterling already knew what she meant. His smile faded slightly.

"You want to control the comments and remove the trending topic?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "No matter the cost, take it down. The internet isn't a flawless place. They can't just claim something is true based on baseless accusations."

"You don't believe this woman's story? But I think at least half of it is plausible—Oliver is around the age she mentioned. Preston Sinclair has been pursuing you relentlessly—"

Wasn't that exactly the kind of obsessive, deep affection the woman had described?

Perhaps Preston Sinclair was truly a hypocrite.

Evelyn lowered her gaze. Her expression settled back into its usual composure.

The corner of her lips curled into a cold smile.

"It's not about whether it's true or whether we believe it. Lucas, he saved my life. And when Kingsley Tech's project went south, with public opinion siding with Pacifica Tech, he helped stabilize the situation. That's why everything resolved so smoothly. Are we just going to stand by and do nothing?"

There was no reason for her to turn a blind eye. In Montecito, Evelyn was probably Preston's only friend.

Preston had little influence in the country—did he really have to clear his name alone?

Even if the accusations were true, they were still friends.

Lucas sighed, understanding her meaning. "Fine. I'll contact the platform to suppress the backlash and release another celebrity scandal. That should divert attention."

Evelyn chuckled. "See? I knew you were capable, Third Brother."

Lucas scoffed. "Don't flatter me now."

He grabbed his phone and stepped out to call the media platform.

Evelyn sat in silence for a moment, lost in thought.

After a while, she picked up her phone, turned it on, then off again.

Her heart was eerily calm.

She didn’t know what she was waiting for—but she also knew, deep down, there would be nothing.

An hour later.

The internet erupted into chaos again. An actress had been caught in bed with a director by his furious wife. The uncensored video spread like wildfire, racking up tens of thousands of reposts in minutes.

The trending topic "Hammer the Scumbag to Death" quietly vanished.

After all, the public was far more invested in celebrity drama than some anonymous "Wall Street tycoon."

Evelyn exhaled in relief.

Blackwood Industries.

Nathan Blackwood wasn’t surprised by Preston’s scandal. But the Sterlings stepping in to suppress it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Was Evelyn really that protective of him?

Still, the effect had been achieved. Nathan hadn’t orchestrated this for public opinion, nor to ruin Preston’s reputation.

He just wanted Evelyn to see Preston’s hypocrisy—to plant that seed of doubt.

With that rift between them, Evelyn and Preston would never stand a chance.

Nathan stood by his office window, phone pressed to his ear. "Wrap this up. Move to Phase Two—bring the witness to Preston."

Let him choke on his lies.

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Harrison was taking meeting notes when Sophia Blackwood appeared at Nathan’s office door.

He hurried over. "Ms. Blackwood, here to see Mr. Blackwood?"

Sophia startled. "Yes. Grandfather sent me to tell Nathan about dinner tonight."

"Understood. One moment."

Sophia hesitated. "Harrison, could you tell him? I’ve been... avoiding him lately. I’ll just go—"

Harrison nodded. After what Nathan had done, even a spoiled socialite like Sophia had reason to fear him.

Sophia turned to leave, a flicker of vengeful intent in her eyes.