"Gosh! Who did this?! This is incredible!"


    "They''ve umted so much evidence and chose such a critical moment to release it. They''re really


    out to destroy Theodore!"


    "Could it be Mayor Solloway? After all, they are major rivals in this election."


    "It''s possible, but do the Solloways really have such capability? Whoever is behind this must be even


    more formidable!"


    The relentless shes of the cameras captured Theodore on stage, paralyzed and shaking,


    documenting his embarrassing predicament. Some reporters were not satisfied with just photographs.


    They surged toward the stage and pointed their cameras at him.


    "Councilman Savoy! Is everything disyed on the screen factual?!"


    "Did you take bribes? Have you engaged in any unauthorized dealings for personal gain?!"


    Theodore''s teeth ttered uncontrobly as he staggered backward. "That wasn''t me! Someone


    photoshopped me into it. Someone is trying to frame me!"


    "What about the ledger? How do you exin that?!"


    "It''s fake! It''s all fake! I didn''t take that money! I never did!"


    Sweat soaked Theodore''s face. He cried out in panic. "Where''s the security?! Come maintain order!"


    As the scene descended into chaos with the media besieging his son-inw and one scandal after


    another exploding likendmines, Lance became infuriated. His face darkened rapidly. "Go and find out


    what''s going on immediately!"


    Lance''s eyes reddened, and his breathing was uneven with fury. "This is clearly an attack on my son-


    inw, but they''re actually aiming at the Iversons! Who on earth has such audacity to go after us?!"


    "Alright, Dad. I''ll look into it right away!"


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Realizing that the situation was out of control, James urgently suggested, "Let''s take advantage of the


    situation and get you out of here now. After all, Theodore is your son-inw. If he''s in trouble, it''ll


    probably affect you too."


    "No way!"


    Lance firmly refused. "If we leave now, wouldn''t it seem like we''re admitting to these scandals?


    Besides, people will think the Iversons can''t handle pressure and can''t y the long game. Wouldn''t


    that just make us aughingstock to them?


    Just then, James'' phone vibrated.


    He answered it with a stern expression, only to hear Astrid''s voicee through in a frantic tone.


    "James! Come outside now! I''m waiting for you in the hallway!"


    When James arrived, he found Astrid panicking, pacing back and forth with her face deathly pale.


    "What on earth is happening, Astrid?!"


    "James! You need to help Theodore!"


    Astrid pleaded tearfully, gripping James'' arm with a sheer look of panic. "If word of what happened at


    today''s event spreads, Theodore''s political career will be over!"


    James gritted his teeth angrily. "With such an important event and numerous high officials and media


    here, do you think we can keep this under wraps?! The rumors have already taken over the city!" Astrid


    staggered backward in fright, her heart racing.


    "Are the ledger and those photos real?" James exhaled sharply, his voice harsh.


    Astrid shut her eyes and nodded.


    "Useless! You''re supposed to be the heiress of the Iverson family, and yet you can''t even control a man


    who''s financially dependent on you?! You''ve continually taken money from our family to support him,


    only to foster a man greedy for more?!" James'' anger was uncontainable as he looked at his sister,


    whose actions always seemed to backfire.


    "What''s the use of talking about this now?! Every time something goes wrong, everyone mes it on


    me. But none of you mentioned how much you benefited from Theodore before! Do you think I


    supported him for myself? His supposed ascent to the mayor would have benefited the Iversons, too!"


    Astrid screamed hysterically, on the verge of breaking down.


    "Enough! Keep your voice down! Do you want everyone to hear you?!" James red at her intensely,


    his gaze oppressive.


    Astrid immediately stopped crying and asked tremulously, "James... You have to help Theodore! For


    the sake of the Iverson family''s reputation... Please help him!"


    "I know!"


    James inhaled sharply, his expression grim. "Once the news gets out, it won''t be long before authorities


    start investigating Theodore. I''ll have people lock down the area and try to find a way for you both to


    leave quietly!"