The manager immediately pulled up the security footage from outside the lounge.
Eddy could be seen rushing out of the lounge, but between the time he left and Jeannette followed, no one else exited the room.
"This can't be right! I saw them leave the break room with my own eyes—they ran out before I did," Jeannette protested, staring at the footage in disbelief. She grabbed Eddy's sleeve, desperate. "Please, you have to believe me—I swear I really saw—"
Her sudden outburst drew suspicious glances from those nearby.
Just then, a housemaid from the Anderson family seized her wrist. "Madam, the matriarch requests that you freshen up—the engagement ceremony is about to start."
"Eddy!" Jeannette tried to explain further, but the maid was already dragging her away.
Eddy watched the footage on his phone again and again, but couldn't find a single clue. He turned to the manager. "Send this video to the main office. Have our tech team check for any irregularities."
The manager nodded and hurried off.
Margaret approached. "Eddy, from now on, I want you to stay out of Kelvin and Jeannette's affairs."
"This farce ends here."
Knowing he was in no position to argue, Eddy lowered his head in silent assent.
Backstage, in the lounge, Jeannette was forced to her knees by the servants.
Margaret pressed her cane down on Jeannette's hands, gradually increasing the pressure. "You little wretch, do you think I don't know exactly what you've done?"
"Ungrateful girl, still have the nerve to be picky? Marrying into our family is the greatest fortune you'll ever know, yet you dare to flirt with Eddy right under our noses!"
"If I catch you again, I'll beat you again." She pressed harder, and Jeannette let out a cry of pain.
Lara, who'd been standing nearby, threw herself at Margaret's feet, sobbing. "Grandma, please, don't hurt my mom!"
"If someone has to be punished, let it be me."
Her small, trembling voice echoed in the room. Margaret narrowed her withered eyes, her face expressionless but a hint of approval flickering in her gaze. "At least you raised a loyal child."
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