Chapter 193

The wedding was completely ruined. Thea immediately realized it was no coincidence; Emmalie had prepared for both scenarios. The man who had taken her to the makeup room was from Corey's organization.

"It wasn't me," Thea said, her brows furrowed tightly, her gaze shifting to Emmalie. She had already experienced Emmalie's vicious tactics, but she never expected her to go this far to kill Chelsea.

Duncan stood protectively behind Emmalie. "Are you planning to pin this on Lanyue, too?"

Faced with this deadlock, Thea knew her attempts at explanation were useless. Only the police could prove her innocence. Just as she pulled out her phone, Duncan snatched it away and smashed it.

"What's this? Planning to call for help? You're carrying a life on your conscience this time! Nicolas can't help you! You'd better give up that hope!" Duncan roared.

Taking a deep breath, Thea calmed her anger. "Duncan, are you out of your mind? It was one thing to oppose me in the past, but can't you think reasonably in this situation? Excluding suicide, we're dealing with a homicide. Not calling the police only gives the murderer a chance to evade justice! Also, you damaged my property. How do you plan to compensate me for my losses?" Thea picked up her cracked, non-functional phone, waving it in front of Duncan. Duncan was furious, his tightly clenched fists straining with bulging veins, his temples throbbing.

"What kind of time is this? You think saying these things will cover up your crime of ruining the wedding?" Emmalie feigned innocence, acting like a stubborn, pure girl, defending Duncan.

No sooner had she spoken than a swarm of reporters surged into the scene.

"The Pheton Hotel just had a homicide. The deceased is Mr. Rowland's first love. Can you answer a few questions?"

"Today is your wedding, Mr. Rowland. Did Ms. Clayton suffer a shock, leading to her suicide?"

"Will the union between the Rowland family and the Maddox family still continue?"

"We've interviewed hotel staff, and witnesses claim they saw someone follow Ms. Clayton to the rooftop."

"Was Ms. Clayton's death really an accident?"

The members of the Rowland family wore varying expressions. Even Ella Wilson from the renowned Key Biscayne news outlet was present. Ella had gained fame for her incisive interviewing style, and as a well-known beauty anchor, she had a significant social media following. Given people's natural curiosity for gossip, this incident was bound to create quite a stir. However, the reporters' swift arrival suggested someone had arranged it in advance.

"I refuse to give an interview. Please leave," Thea said.

Max, usually focused on maintaining his image, momentarily regained his composure in front of the cameras. Even with the eviction order, the reporters were unwilling to miss this explosive family drama, trying to negotiate their presence.

Ella, however, took a different approach, suddenly directing the microphone at Thea. "Miss Rowland, you were also at the scene of Stephanie's accident a while back, and there's online speculation that this incident is connected to you. What do you have to say about that?"

She wore a professional smile, waiting for Thea's response.

Emmalie gasped. "Ella, do you suspect Chelsea's death is related to Thea!"

"I didn't say that; I'm just seeking the truth for internet users," Ella said.

Thea finally understood. This was a carefully arranged spectacle by Emmalie, with a stage set in advance. Only after Chelsea jumped did the real show begin—to ruin Thea's reputation and destroy her newly established partnership with Max.

Thea asked, "If I say this has nothing to do with me, will anyone believe it? People only see what they want to believe."

No one answered. The truth held no significance for them.

"Mr. Rowland, the hotel's surveillance footage has been reviewed. Thea was seen in front of the banquet hall, having had an encounter with the suspect," someone said.

After watching the video, Duncan scoffed coldly. "At this point, what else do you have to say?"

"It was I who asked him to take Thea to the makeup room to find me," Joyce said.

Everyone turned their gaze toward Joyce. Kelly's eyes widened in disbelief. "Do you know what you're saying?"

Joyce took out her phone and played a recording of her last conversation with Emmalie. Standing tall, she looked at Emmalie with a complex, unclear gaze.

Joyce began, "Emmalie is the one who didn't want to see this marriage happen either. She also has a motive. If we're talking about motives, she is just as suspicious. Moreover, the Pheton Hotel is an asset of the Rowland family, and the wedding banquet was entirely managed by the Rowland family. Emmalie would have found it easier to act than Thea."

"You all heard the recording. She plotted to frame her own sister, Thea, while dragging me into it…" Without hesitation, Duncan defended the tearful Emmalie standing behind him. "Emmalie certainly didn't want Max to marry a woman with no feelings. How do we know this wasn't something you all planned from the start? You are Max's future wife, and I should respect you, but someone who associates with someone of Thea's tarnished reputation can't be an innocent person. Sure enough, even before officially entering the Rowland family, you have already colluded with Thea to set up Emmalie." He turned to Max. "Given the circumstances, Max, are you sure you still want to marry a woman like this?"

Joyce was stunned by the twisted statements. She had thought Emmalie would at least be wary of the recording. Now it seemed that Emmalie truly had no fear.

With tears streaming down her face, Emmalie said, "Max, I'm so sorry, I messed everything up."

Almost everyone assumed that Max would call off the engagement. However, he remained calm. "The facts of the matter are still unclear. I believe my fiancée wouldn't do something like this."

Joyce tightened her grip on her wedding dress, her expression grim. Max's behavior at the engagement banquet had already shown he wasn't the right man for her. Now, with his first crush dead on his wedding day, and his suspicion falling on her, Joyce was sure he couldn't stand by her.

Only Thea, unsurprised, said meaningfully, "Should I say, what else is new?"

No matter the situation, for Max, interests always came first. Even if he had feelings for Chelsea, if she didn't bring him greater benefits, he wouldn't choose her as his wife. Chelsea's death was a foregone conclusion. Even if Joyce were truly the murderer, Max would still allow the marriage to continue, securing his interests before seeking revenge.

Duncan was furious at Max for not supporting Emmalie and was about to explode when the police arrived.

After dispersing the guests, several related parties were taken to the police station for questioning.

After cooperating with the investigation and leaving the police station, Thea saw a familiar Maybach parked on the street. Something caught in her throat. She walked over and got into the car, looking at Nicolas awkwardly. "What are you doing back here?"

Thea really wanted to say, "Shouldn't you be with Stephanie in Silvercreek?" But Thea knew she was merely his wife in a legal sense. Those who were not loved had no right to feel aggrieved. Such thoughts would only lead to her own embarrassment.