Chapter 272

Cynthia's eyes turned cold as she saw the photos. She hadn't expected Shirley to have documented everything from that day. Clearly, Shirley had come prepared. Moreover, Cynthia's flushed cheeks in the photos were highly unusual. Later, reflecting on that night, Cynthia couldn't remember anything. She was a heavy drinker, but there was only one explanation: she had been drugged. She had suspected it before, but lacked evidence.

Seeing her own unfocused eyes, rosy lips, and expression of discomfort and desire in the video, Cynthia knew her suspicions were correct. The question of who drugged her and why was obvious.

Shirley, watching the gossip swirl around Cynthia, felt a smug satisfaction. "Cynthia," she sneered, "you never thought I'd still have this trump card, did you?"

Three years earlier, Filip and Lilian had gone abroad, and Cynthia, drowning her sorrows at the Dark Horse Club, had been drugged by Shirley. Shirley had also hired a paparazzo to follow Cynthia, capturing photos of her encounter with a male model. Initially, believing Cynthia to be Filip's wife, Shirley had planned to use the photos to humiliate Cynthia and cause the Yates family to reject her. However, Filip's three-year absence, and Cynthia's formidable nature, prevented Shirley from finding the right opportunity.

Knowing Cynthia would retaliate, Shirley waited for the perfect moment—Cynthia's wedding to Jonathan. She intended to release the photos then, ensuring Cynthia's expulsion from the Bennett family on her wedding day. But today, she acted impulsively, revealing the photos prematurely. The current event, however, was hardly less significant than Cynthia's future wedding, with Roncrity's elite, including the Xenos family, in attendance. This was Cynthia's moment to shine, and Shirley seized it.

Cynthia approached Shirley coldly, phone in hand, her gaze sharp and icy. "Shirley, where did you get these photos?"

Frightened by Cynthia's demeanor, Shirley backed away. She knew Cynthia's temperament well. Yet, emboldened by the crowd, Shirley retorted, "Cynthia, that's irrelevant. They're real, and your affair with the male model three years ago is also real. You're nothing but an unfaithful slut!"

Cynthia grabbed Shirley's hand. "Shirley, you drugged me, didn't you?"

Shirley denied it vehemently. "Drugged you? Stop slandering me, Cynthia! You were the one who was messing around. How dare you try to shift the blame?"

Cynthia squeezed Shirley's wrist hard. Shirley cried out in pain. "Cynthia, how dare you bully me in front of everyone?!" she shrieked. "Everyone, look! This is the Cynthia you know, losing her temper like this!"

Cynthia, though without concrete proof, was certain Shirley had drugged her. Otherwise, her intoxication had been far too irrational. She loathed being drugged above all else. Shirley, of course, wouldn't confess. Cynthia tightened her grip, and with a sickening crack, Shirley's wrist dislocated.

Shirley screamed, but Cynthia, radiating an aura of cold fury, remained calm. Grabbing Shirley's other hand, Cynthia said, "Shirley, this is your last chance. Tell me the truth, or I'll crush every bone in your body, and you'll spend the rest of your life disabled."

Terror blanched Shirley's face. She knew Cynthia was capable of it. Cynthia had a history of violently breaking people's bones. Shirley had learned this the hard way—the pain was excruciating, worse than death.

Shirley sought medical attention, hoping to sue Cynthia. However, the doctor deemed the injury insignificant, preventing a formal report. The pain, though, was agonizing. Shirley swallowed her grievances, the memory of Cynthia's methods sending shivers down her spine. She looked pleadingly at her parents, Justin and Selena. "Dad, Mom, are you just going to watch Cynthia bully me like this? Help me!"

A sharp pain lanced through her wrist. She felt her arm bones shattering. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but despite her pleas, no one intervened. Selena turned away, conflicted, wondering if Shirley had truly committed such a despicable act.

Justin, however, only cared about the ruined party and the Xenos family. He didn't care who was at fault. His emotions were a rollercoaster, leaving him speechless and unable to discern right from wrong.

The Xenos family observed the scene, trusting Cynthia implicitly to handle the situation, and refrained from interfering.

Overwhelmed by pain and surrounded by uncaring onlookers, Shirley felt dizzy and disoriented. Focusing on Cynthia, she momentarily forgot the surrounding crowd. "So what if I drugged you?" she screamed. "You slept with a male model, and it can't be denied! You're dirty! If Jonathan finds out, do you think he'll tolerate you? You're an immoral slut! He'll dump you the moment he learns the truth! You're a filthy prostitute!"

A sharp, cold voice cut through the air from the doorway. "Who are you calling a prostitute?"