Chapter 58

The Monarch Group was facing an unprecedented crisis of public trust and product quality.

Social media erupted with calls to boycott the Sterling family's businesses. Out of the 500 luxury boutiques that Damian Sterling had proudly expanded nationwide, 400 shuttered their doors within days. The remaining stores barely clung to survival, liquidating inventory at devastating losses.

Richard Sterling, already weakened by illness, collapsed under the financial strain.

Margaret Sterling rushed to her sister's mansion, desperate for assistance. But Penelope Whitmore could only offer empty condolences. "Reginald has made his position clear," she whispered, clutching her sister's trembling hands. "Anyone who aids the Sterlings will be cut off from the Blackwood fortune."

Though unable to rescue the failing business, Penelope revealed her consolation prize. "Leonard has finalized the wedding date for Victoria and Nathan. The ceremony will take place the weekend after Reginald's birthday celebration."

"Must we wait that long?" Margaret snapped, her manicured nails digging into the sofa's silk upholstery. Every passing day brought her family closer to ruin.

Penelope leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you hear about Evelyn Carter's scandal? The Kingsley heir personally collected her after the divorce. My maids saw everything."

Margaret's face twisted with envy. While her daughter struggled to secure Nathan's commitment, that gold-digging ex-wife had somehow landed Sebastian Kingsley - a man whose influence rivaled the Blackwoods.

"Do you suppose..." Penelope's eyes gleamed maliciously, "...Evelyn convinced Sebastian to target your family?"

Margaret shot upright, her designer dress wrinkling. "That scheming witch! First she ruins Victoria's engagement, now she interferes after the divorce?" Her voice turned venomous. "Does she think the Kingsley name makes her untouchable?"

Penelope sipped her Darjeeling tea with calculated nonchalance. "Sebastian's current favorite enjoys certain... protections. But imagine the scandal if her true nature were revealed at Reginald's birthday gala."

A cruel smile spread across Margaret's face. "Perfect. Let's see how high she climbs before we cut her strings."

Meanwhile, in the executive suite of Monarch Grand Hotels, Evelyn Carter dominated her gaming console with ruthless precision.

Between managing the corporate crisis, she'd cleared her afternoon schedule for this violent virtual battlefield. Blood splattered across the monitor as she executed another flawless combo.

Theodore Winslow entered just as a digital decapitation filled the screen. He recoiled, shielding his eyes. "Must you play that grotesque game at work?"

Evelyn didn't pause her slaughter. "Speak quickly or leave. I'm on a winning streak."

"Theodore produced a file while carefully avoiding the carnage onscreen. "Two developments you'll find... intriguing."

"You're hopeless." Evelyn rolled her eyes as her character bisected another enemy. "We're visiting haunted houses until you grow a spine."

After annihilating the final boss, she examined the documents. "Why are you showing me Kingsley Pawn receipts?"

Theodore's lips curled. "Because Margaret Sterling didn't pawn her jewelry. She sold it outright."