Chapter 171

Eavesdropping on Juicy Secrets in Her Head

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Evelyn Sinclair’s bedroom. She stretched lazily, her mind already buzzing with the latest gossip she’d overheard—not from whispered conversations, but from the unfiltered thoughts of those around her.

Ever since she’d discovered her uncanny ability to read minds, life had become infinitely more entertaining. And today? Oh, today was going to be delicious.

As she sipped her coffee, Evelyn tuned into the mental chatter of her assistant, Lillian Graves.

"Ugh, I can’t believe Nathan Blackwood canceled another meeting. Does he think his schedule is more important than Evelyn’s?"

Evelyn smirked. Nathan, her infuriatingly handsome business rival, was always playing hard to get. But she had a feeling his aloofness was just a front.

Then, like a gift from the gossip gods, another thought floated into her awareness—this time from Serena Whitmore, her ever-dramatic agent.

"If I have to deal with one more diva demand from Seraphina Delacroix, I swear I’ll quit. Who does she think she is, demanding a private jet for a two-hour shoot?"

Evelyn nearly choked on her coffee. Seraphina, the notoriously high-maintenance actress, was at it again. She made a mental note to casually bring this up at lunch—just to watch Serena’s face turn scarlet.

But the real gem came when she tuned into the thoughts of Marcus Donovan, her brother Julian’s slick-talking agent.

"If Julian finds out about the secret clause in his contract, he’ll lose it. Better keep this under wraps until after the deal closes."

Evelyn’s eyes widened. Now this was the kind of juicy intel she lived for.

She leaned back, savoring the chaos unfolding in her mind. Oh yes, today was going to be very interesting.

And the best part? No one had any idea she knew their secrets.

Yet.

The stage play performed by Team A-list was profoundly moving, marking the first time Evelyn Sinclair had fully immersed herself in a role.

Her acting, though still rough around the edges, carried an undeniable sincerity that captivated the audience.

With Julian Blackwood and Rebecca completely embodying their characters, the production was guaranteed to be extraordinary.

Yet, as the audience watched, many couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

Netizen: I must be addicted to drama. If Team A-list doesn’t stir up some chaos, it just doesn’t feel right.

Netizen: A stage without a little scandal is like a cake without frosting—bland.

Netizen: After seeing the last group’s performance, I expected some kind of reaction from them.

Netizen: Remember in Season 1 when Team Young Again tried to drop hints in their act, only for Team A-list to shut them down with theirs? This time, since there was no rebuttal, maybe it means Vivienne Monroe’s version of events was true. In a way, that’s its own kind of acknowledgment.

Netizen: Hard to say…

Netizen: So, the "Justice Upholder" isn’t cleaning house this season?

Netizen: The entertainment industry’s already been through the wringer. How much more can Evelyn possibly expose?

Netizen: Exactly. She’s already dug up everything there is. She can’t keep making enemies forever.

Netizen: Guess she’s really focusing on acting now. Makes sense—she always wanted to be an actress. At the end of the day, skill matters most.

Netizen: After several seasons, I can honestly say Evelyn’s acting has improved.

Netizen: If we’re just judging by performance, it’s hard to call a winner this round.

Netizen: Who cares about drama? This play is amazing. It’s patriotic, moving—everything you’d want.

Netizen: This shows Team A-list’s sense of responsibility. Knowing their influence is at its peak, they chose a script that inspires the younger generation.

Netizen: Team A-list’s plays always have depth.

Netizen: Watching this makes me want to enlist.

Netizen: Am I the only one completely obsessed with Sven? That has to be a real military dog, right?

Netizen: Looks like it has an injury on its hind leg—probably retired. Hard to say if it was military, though.

The performance ended to thunderous applause, but whispers still lingered. Had Evelyn truly moved on from her crusade? Or was this just another calculated move in a much larger game?

Only time would tell.

Nathan nodded. “Yes, it’s a retired detection dog.”

“It’s a hero!” Richard exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.

“Indeed, it’s made remarkable contributions and displayed extraordinary skills.”

Margaret watched in surprise. “It worked so seamlessly with Julian and Evelyn.”

Nathan gestured toward the photography area nearby. “Its trainer is right over there, ready to give commands at any moment.”

The family was deep in conversation when a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Well, well, look who’s all here.” Claudia Bennett had clashed with them before, but time had dulled the memory. Seeing them gathered now, she couldn’t resist approaching—especially since she’d heard it was Julian who had called the police.

For Claudia, fiercely protective of her own, it was like striking a nerve.

When the Blackwood family turned and saw Claudia and Gabriel Ramirez approaching together, they weren’t particularly shocked.

“You had the audacity to get someone arrested and still act like nothing happened. I must say, your family never ceases to amaze me. Clearly, you have no respect for the Pearson family.”

Margaret arched a brow. The moment she spotted the gleaming pearl necklace around Claudia’s neck, she instinctively took a step back—Claudia was standing uncomfortably close.

Her gaze flickered to Gabriel, who stood behind Claudia, his expression shadowed beneath a mask. A flicker of curiosity crossed her face.

“What’s wrong? Finally feeling guilty, are we? He’s my godson, which makes him practically family to you. And yet, look what your son did!” Claudia’s voice trembled with barely restrained fury.

“I doubt you even know half of what your godson has been up to,” Margaret muttered under her breath. “Why are you here? Looking for trouble?”

Claudia scoffed. “I’m here to settle the score!”

She opened her mouth to say more, but Nathan’s voice cut in sharply. “Do not interrupt the performance.”

Claudia still held a trace of fear for Nathan.

The audience seated behind them had already begun murmuring in irritation at the disturbance in the aisle.

Under the weight of so many disapproving stares, Gabriel suddenly grew uneasy. He tugged his baseball cap lower and pulled Claudia toward the nearest empty seats—fortunately, the VIP section still had a few available.

The moment Gabriel sat down, his body stiffened, his face darkening.

Claudia and Gabriel had only gotten in through connections, so they weren’t foolish enough to disrupt the ongoing performance. Their lawyer’s advice echoed in their minds—if they wanted to clear things up, they’d have to wait.

But patience had never been Claudia’s strong suit.

The live interview segment after the performance was the perfect opportunity to expose the truth.

Their lawyer had advised them to communicate with the involved parties before making a public scene, so they had gone to see Claire first.

But Claire had ignored their calls entirely. Worse, she was backstage with Vivienne.

Claudia had no intention of facing Vivienne directly—not yet. She wanted to catch her off guard, to humiliate her in front of everyone. So instead of storming backstage, she took a seat in the audience, biding her time for the final interview.

Yet when she spotted the Blackwoods, she couldn’t resist confronting them.

Once Claudia finally settled, she didn’t escalate things further.

The Blackwoods had been on edge, fearing retaliation after Julian and Evelyn had reported the incident. But when Claudia remained quiet, they relaxed—just a little.

Sophia quickly messaged Genevieve, who was still backstage, filling her in.

Isabelle, who had been deep in contract negotiations with Vivienne, frowned at Genevieve’s message. "What are they planning?"

"She’s coming for us," Claire scoffed. "Mark my words, Claudia’s going to pull something during the live segment."

Claudia had never been the refined heiress people expected. When she wanted something, she took it—no hesitation, no decorum.

"She’s definitely targeting Vivienne, and my idiot son is probably trying to clear his name. There’s going to be chaos," Claire muttered, her expression dark. "This won’t end quietly."

Vivienne’s face paled. Regret twisted inside her. How did I ever get involved with someone like Gabriel?

Isabelle gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Don’t worry. You’ll be onstage with Evelyn and Julian. I’ve never seen anyone outmaneuver them in a live setting. Just give them a heads-up later."

Truthfully, Isabelle wasn’t entirely confident. Desperate people were unpredictable, especially when one of them was a woman like Claudia.

But she trusted Evelyn. Despite her usual laid-back demeanor, Evelyn had an uncanny ability to take control when it mattered most.

At worst, it would be a stalemate—neither side able to overpower the other. If that happened, they’d rely on Evelyn’s reputation as the Justice Upholder to sway public opinion. After all, they were telling the truth. There was no reason to feel guilty.

Since no consensus could be reached, they decided to play it by ear—handling each problem as it arose.

With that, the group moved to the side of the stage, waiting for the play to end.