?<strong>Chapter 1253:</strong>


    Laney had already seen the news. Rather than panic, her thoughts drifted to the day she lost her phone. It was clear someone had been targeting her since then.


    Knowing Merrick had connections at the theater, Laney asked him to retrieve the surveince footage from that day.


    When Merrick called her back, his voice was serious.


    “Someone tampered with the footage. But luckily, my friend kept a backup. I watched it. The person who stole your phone was Kira.”


    Laney’s suspicions were confirmed. Before she could hang up, Kira’s voice echoed from behind her.


    “Laney, I thought I’d find you here.”


    Laney turned to see Kira standing there.


    After the incident, many people at the theater were watching Laney, forcing her to hide in the deserted hallway of her apartment building.


    Kira stood smugly, arms crossed.


    “Enjoying your new title as ‘the other woman’? Didn’t expect to be exposed, did you? How does it feel to be the center of attention?”


    Laney met Kira’s malicious gaze with calm resolve. She admitted to loving Cliff—recklessly, passionately—but she was not the other woman.


    “The photos were taken before Cliff was with Juliet. They prove nothing,” Laney said, holding up her phone.


    “But you, Kira, stole my phone, vited my privacy, and spread false rumors. Have you considered the consequences?”


    Kira’s expression faltered. She hadn’t expected Laney to act so quickly.


    But hadn’t the surveince footage been destroyed?


    Find your imagination at galn  ovels ; con


    Panicking, Kira lunged at Laney, trying to snatch her phone.


    “Give that to me!”


    Laney sidestepped Kira effortlessly.


    “It’s toote. I’ve already called the police. This surveince footage is going public. Those photos don’t just implicate me—they drag Cliff and the Hopkins family into this mess. Do you think they’ll let you off lightly?”


    Kira’sposure shattered as her mind reeled. She grabbed at Laney’s clothes, desperation etched on her face.


    “You wouldn’t dare!” she hissed.


    Laney pulled away, her calm demeanor only heightening Kira’s frustration.


    In the heat of the moment, Kira’s gaze flickered to the staircase. A sinister thought took root. The p she’d received in the dressing room still stung. If she “identally” pushed Laney down the stairs, leaving her injured—or worse—her sister’s path to marrying Cliff would be clear.


    The temptation was irresistible. Acting on impulse, Kira grabbed Laney’s cor and shoved her toward the stairs.


    Caught off guard, Laney instinctively clung to the railing to stop her fall. Her survival instinct kicked in, and she pushed Kira away with all her strength.


    Kira stumbled, losing her bnce. She screamed as she tumbled down the stairs, her body hitting the steps with sickening thuds.


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