Chapter 2548: Chapter 2555

His primary directive was to ensure Nicole’s safety.

Faced with the volatile situation, the bodyguard had already alerted Jarrod about the ongoing conflict as soon as it escalated.

Still seething with anger, Hallie sneered at Rhett, “I knew it! Nicole, you’re despicable.

You ended things with my cousin just days ago, and now, already with another man? You’re nothing but a shameless homewrecker!”

Nicole, stung by the harsh words, regretted not retaliating more when she had the chance.

Rhett, maintaining a stern demeanor, responded, “Madam, slander is a serious accusation and a criminal offense.

You’ve accused my client of being a homewrecker without any proof, which constitutes defamation.

We will take legal action.

”

Rhett added, “And another thing.

Your daughter was recently detained for assaulting my client.

And here you are, spreading false accusations.

Are you looking to be detained as well?”

Rhett’s composed and clear response made it apparent to the onlookers that Nicole might not be the guilty party here.

The crowd, initially swayed by Hallie’s dramatic claims, started seeing the truth behind the accusations.

Hallie was driven more by vindictiveness than fact.

The elder bystanders, wise to the ways of the world, began to leave, muttering among themselves, “Let’s step back.

We don’t know the full story, and it’s wrong to make rash judgments.

”

Observing the crowd’s dispersal, Hallie was livid.

She exploded, yelling, “Idiots! This woman has destroyed my family! My daughter’s future was bright, but now she’s marred by a criminal record, all because of this vile woman.

You all are fools!”

Hallie’s rant left the onlookers in shock, not expecting to be the targets of her fury.

Hallie continued to berate the onlookers, shouting, “What I’m saying is the truth, you bunch of idiots!”

Initially sympathetic, the crowd now found themselves at the receiving end of Hallie’s scorn.

Speechless and taken aback, murmurs of discontent started weaving through the group.

“No wonder she says, ‘Like mother, like daughter.

’ With that rudeness, her daughter’s behavior is no surprise!”

“Exactly, if her daughter were truly blameless, she wouldn’t have ended up detained,” another bystander added.

Hallie was momentarily lost for words.

She hadn’t expected public opinion to turn against her so swiftly.

In a burst of fury, she yelled, “You don’t understand! This woman is the reason my daughter is suffering.

This woman is the culprit here, not the victim!”

However, the crowd was no longer receptive to Hallie’s claims.

Her aggressive demeanor only served to alienate them further.

“Didn’t you boast about your connections and power? How then did your daughter get detained if she’s innocent?” an elderly woman retorted sharply.

“Exactly.

” Another elder added, “We lack money and power, yet we aren’t detained.

What does that tell you?”

Seeing the situation escalate, the property management stepped in.

“Let’s all go home.

This is no place to gather for a spectacle.

”

Meanwhile, Jarrod was deep in a critical meeting regarding international energy, discussing significant deals with global leaders.

Conor received a call about the unfolding drama and looked visibly troubled.