Chapter 335

The gasp in the room was audible. On screen, Shirley, gun in hand, shot Luke in the head. Bright red blood splattered, threatening to soak those nearby. Luke fell. Shirley calmly retrieved his phone.

The video played. "You should have been more careful," she said. "It's not my first time." The statement hung in the air, followed by Shirley's descent into despair.

Even the assembled elites were stunned. A jewelry auction had devolved into a shocking murder. This seemingly harmless woman was a serial killer, and the evidence was broadcast globally.

The live chat exploded:

• "What the hell?! Shirley killed her foster father, and Luke threatened her with it! Then she killed him?"
• "It makes sense now. Mrs. Yates's wedding was a setup! Shirley hired Luke, paid him with counterfeit bills, and then killed him."
• "Or maybe she planned to kill Luke all along, using him first. She's vicious!"
• "At the wedding, she aimed for Cynthia, but Mrs. Yates took the bullet."
• "She looks so innocent! How did she do it so calmly?"
• "Don't forget who brought her! Ms. Bennett gave her $300 million in jewelry. She's involved!"
• "Ms. and Mr. Bennett are fighting for power."
• "Whitney's using Shirley to eliminate Cynthia, attacking Mr. Bennett!"
• "The rich are terrifying!"

Over one hundred million viewers watched, the online frenzy unprecedented. Twitter crashed. Shirley struggled to her feet, disbelieving. It's a hallucination, she thought. It's not real. Cynthia couldn't have a video. But the contemptuous stares shattered her delusion.

Cynthia's gaze was cold. Whitney, watching from the sidelines, felt regret. Getting close to that fool was my biggest mistake, she thought. Murder, and caught on camera! But Whitney's concern shifted from Shirley's fate to the damage to her own reputation, now inextricably linked to the killer she'd brought.

Whitney realized it was a setup—a plot by Cynthia and Jonathan to ruin her. She'd wondered why the auction required guests to be accompanied this year, a change from previous years. Cynthia, as Miss Y, had the authority to enforce this new rule, ensuring Whitney and Shirley were linked. Whitney had fallen into Cynthia's trap.

Furious, but knowing discretion was key, Whitney decided to distance herself from Shirley. She'd never truly cared for Shirley anyway.

Shirley, desperate, tried to cling to Whitney as her last resort. She stumbled off the stage, grabbing Whitney's leg. "Ms. Bennett, help me! I'm yours! Help me!" Whitney tried to pull away, but Shirley held on tightly. Alex intervened, finally freeing Whitney, whose hair was disheveled and one heel missing. Whitney fought back the urge to attack Shirley. This was the most humiliating moment of her life.

Maintaining composure, Whitney coldly glanced at Cynthia before leaving, Alex at her side. Shirley wailed, "Ms. Bennett, please! You promised to help me, no matter what!"

QUEEN's jewelry exhibition ended in scandal. Shirley was arrested, still defiant, cursing Cynthia and clinging to the belief that Whitney would save her. Reporters, planted by Cynthia, documented the scene.

The hall returned to calm. Only Cynthia, Jonathan, and Simon remained, along with the cleaning staff. Cynthia thanked Simon for his help.

Simon playfully tapped her forehead. "You only remember me when you need help."

Cynthia stuck out her tongue. "Your birthday's coming! I have a big gift planned!"

Jonathan observed, feeling uncomfortable. Cynthia's demeanor around Simon differed drastically from her usual self-assuredness. With Simon, she was carefree, innocent, and trusting—a stark contrast to her interactions with her husband.