Chapter 71

"Florrie, well done," Jasper said, affectionately patting his niece on the head.

Florrie, beaming with pride, replied, "It's my responsibility to protect Evelina."

Jasper mistook Evelina's cool demeanor for simple distress from her eye injury and the disturbances caused by Cary and his sister.

He quickly made a phone call. "Seems like Cary has too much free time on his hands. Let's find him a distraction."

Subsequently, a string of misfortunes struck the Gibson Group.

Confronted with rising costs from suppliers and downward pressure on prices from clients, the company's finances were nearly breaking.

Meanwhile, harmful rumors began spreading internally.

Rumors that Cary was ungrateful and disloyal,embroiled in a nasty divorce, dominated the talk,damaging his reputation.

When the news went public, the Gibson Group's stock prices started to free fall.

In his office, Cary asked, "Who's behind these rumors?"

Noticing Esme setting out a homemade meal, he accused her impulsively, saying, "Esme, was this your doing?"

Esme, interrupted while laying out the lunch,froze,her eyes filling with tears.

"Do you really see me that way? Do you think I'd cause problems now, of all times?" she retorted,visibly upset.

Margot, who was assisting, couldn't help but feel compassion for Esme.

Since Margot had been released from detention due to Esme's intervention, she had become fiercely loyal to her, treating her almost like family.

"Cary, have you forgotten already?" Margot asked."Esme was the one who handed you fifty million when the company was struggling."

Margot was right; her words rang with the truth.

To secure her place within the Gibson family,Esme had not only saved Margot but had also drained her savings to pull Cary out of a financial mess.

Reflecting on her sacrifices, Cary's rage cooled."Esme, I apologize. I've been under a lot of pressure.It was wrong of me to snap at you."

"It's okay." Esme simply nodded, her eyes downcast as she discreetly wiped away a tear.

Seeing this, Margot's sympathy deepened. "Cary you've got to see what you're doing to her. Out of al the people in the world, Esme is the one who truly loves you."

She comforted Esme with a gentle pat on the back before turning her anger towards Evelina. "And it's clear who's spreading rumors about your divorce-it's Evelina! She's after your money. Do you really believe she'd let you go without a fight? She's manipulating public perception to force you to show unity. Evelina's tactics are devious and desperate;she'll do anything to maintain her grip on the Gibson fortune!"

Upon hearing Margot's accusations, Cary could no longer contain himself.

He rushed to confront Evelina directly.

That day, Evelina was scheduled to leave the hospital, and her discharge was a joyful occasion.Jasper and Florrie were organizing a welcome back celebration at Morningstar Villas, and Kristina had flown back from lreah to manage the formalities.

Evelina, cherished by those around her, was about to step out of the hospital when Cary appeared, visibly furious. "Evelina, what have you done to me?"

He hesitated before launching another accusation."It was you, wasn't it? You hired that lawyer to file for divorce, and then you sabotaged the Gibson Group's stock price!"

As Evelina emerged, fully recovered, the first thing she saw was Cary's enraged face, which immediately soured her mood.

"Cary Gibson, if your brain's messed up, go see a neurologist or get a rabies shot. Stop biting people every time you open your mouth!" Kristina had been fed up with Cary for ages. Now she finally exploded.

Cary retorted angrily, "Who the hell are you calling a rabid dog?!"

"It's you I'm talking about, you fool!" Kristina responded, hands on her hips and full of disdain."Who else but you has been ungrateful after having their sight restored? Who else had an affair with their old flame while married, and now seeks a divorce to leave their spouse with nothing?"

Cary's cheeks flushed with indignation, his posture lacking any real confidence.

However, he stubbornly retorted, "This is a private issue. It should not have been leaked."

"Do you even hear yourself? Evelina was injured and temporarily blinded. Do you think she had the energy or desire to gossip about your shameful history?"

Kristina jabbed a finger towards Cary. "Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a shameful