Chapter 977:

It all happened so fast that Elyse stood in stunned silence. When she finally regained her senses, she realized that, for now, she was safe.

Edward flexed his arm, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes before he quickly concealed it. He stood firmly in front of Elyse, his posture unyielding. “Is this how you handle things now? Throwing fits like a child?” His voice was cold, cutting through the air.

Geraldine, standing nearby, stepped up beside Elyse, her gaze sharp as she turned to Quinn. “You really think Elyse framed Fiona and got her kicked out of the studio? Do you have any idea who Cody Tucker is? Do you honestly believe someone like him would be manipulated by his student?” She cast a searing glance at Fiona, who was cowering in the background. “You owe us both an apology. And trust me, this won’t end until we get it.”

Quinn lay on the floor, dazed and humiliated. He had put all his strength into that punch, yet Edward had blocked it with ease. Slowly, he scrambled to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment, but his resolve remained unshaken. In his eyes, Elyse had always been a schemer. How many times had she set Fiona up? No one seemed to believe Fiona anymore; everyone had fallen under Elyse’s spell. But not him. Fiona had him now, and if he couldn’t defend her, who would?

He wouldn’t let her down—he couldn’t. His eyes hardened as bitterness swelled within him, directed not just at Elyse but at Geraldine and Edward too. They were all part of the problem, blind to Elyse’s manipulations.

“You’ve all been brainwashed,” Quinn spat, his voice dripping with contempt. “And you think we’re going to apologize to her? You’re out of your minds.”

Elyse watched Fiona closely, catching a fleeting look of satisfaction on her face when she thought Elyse would be hit. Now that Quinn’s attempt had failed, disappointment clouded Fiona’s expression.

“Your boyfriend charged in for you and ended up on the floor. Yet, you just stand there, watching?” Elyse’s voice dripped with scorn. “Don’t you feel a bit sorry for him? Maybe give him a hug?”

Fiona faltered, caught off guard by Elyse’s questions. Aware of the eyes fixed on her, she quickly took Quinn’s hand and murmured, “Let it go. They’re all on Elyse’s side. They won’t believe us, no matter what.”

Quinn’s gaze softened as he noticed the tears brimming in Fiona’s eyes. He squeezed her hand, his voice firm. “Don’t worry. No matter how they judge you, I’ll stand by you. I’ll always believe in you.”

Fiona looked up, her eyes gleaming with a mix of resolve and vulnerability. Quinn felt a surge of strength coursing through him.

Geraldine, standing a distance away, frowned at their hushed conversation. “What are they, mice? Why are they whispering?”

Edward chuckled beside her. “They’re best at skulking about; whispering comes naturally.”