Scott Livinus’s clear and logical responses left Miss Maggie flustered on the spot.
Things weren’t going as she had imagined. In her mind, after she accused him of assault, the police would immediately take him away, people around would show sympathy, and reporters would snap photos madly. But now, as the victim, she felt entirely suppressed.
“You… You opened a bottle of red wine that day, saying it was excellent! You overindulged and got drunk!”
“Red wine? What year was it that made me ‘overindulge’? Miss Maggie, please tell us,” Scott Livinus replied with a smirk.
Miss Maggie grew anxious and, after a moment, stammered:
“The year? It was probably 2004?”
Miss Maggie was nervous. She often drank with friends but wasn’t familiar with vintages and didn’t know Scott Livinus’s preferences. If she mentioned a vintage too rare, such as 1982, it could backfire if that vintage wasn’t locally available or was difficult to find. So, she chose 2004, which seemed safer and more recent.
“Oh?” Scott Livinus laughed, “You’re bound to make everyone laugh with that answer.”
Sure enough, the crowd chuckled.
“2004 Lafite wasn’t a great year. Someone like Mr. Scott would at least go for 2005, a year known for great grapes.”
“Exactly! She seems really unsure. 2004 Lafite wouldn’t impress Mr. Scott.”
“2004 wouldn’t be enough to make Mr. Scott overindulge. Her story doesn’t add up.”
Miss Maggie grew more desperate hearing the crowd’s doubts. “I can’t remember the exact year, but you drank a lot!”
By now, everyone was starting to understand her motives. Miss Maggie didn’t appear distressed; instead, she was eager to slander Scott Livinus, which seemed insincere. However, they were curious—would Scott Livinus let himself be tarnished without fighting back?
Seeing the crowd’s ridicule, Miss Maggie angrily pointed at the police officer, demanding:
“Arrest Scott Livinus! And you, reporters!” She pointed toward the journalists, “Get this on camera and post it online! Scott Livinus assaulted me! Why aren’t you reporting this?”
In truth, the reporters wanted to take pictures, but they didn’t dare.
They feared angering Scott Livinus. If he bought out their companies in retaliation, he’d become their boss—not someone they could afford to cross!
Moreover, something about this case felt odd. Miss Maggie didn’t even come across as convincing, not even with her acting skills.
“Miss Maggie, are you claiming that Mr. Scott assaulted you while you were still a virgin?” one reporter asked.
“Yes.” Miss Maggie didn’t hesitate.
The reporter’s follow-up question was sharp: “So you never had a boyfriend? Then why didn’t you report it immediately and only speak up now?”
“I was too afraid to report it at the time. I couldn’t hold back any longer and decided to reveal the truth now.”
Miss Maggie began to sob, seemingly distraught, leaving everyone unsure if she was telling the truth.
The police officer, also uncertain, said, “Since you’re reporting this, you and this gentleman will need to come with us to the station. We’ll take statements, and we ask this gentleman to cooperate with our investigation.”
Miss Maggie beamed with joy; this was precisely what she wanted. She wasn’t afraid of failing to accuse Scott Livinus of assault. As long as he was detained and the reason was assault, the media frenzy would amplify the story. Once the internet got wind of it, no matter the truth, online comments would convict Scott Livinus, and with her guidance, the public would become her tool.
“Alright! I’ll go with you!” Miss Maggie said excitedly.
The police officer moved to take Scott Livinus, but Liam intervened, pushing the officer’s hand away. Usually mild-mannered, Liam couldn’t hide his anger.
“Don’t act recklessly! Can’t you see he’s being framed? I know Scott better than anyone, and I can vouch for his character. He would never do such a thing. But Miss Maggie, I’ve heard your personal life is messy. Who can vouch for your character?”
Miss Maggie’s face turned pale at his words.
However, the officer insisted on taking both of them in.
Just as Scott Livinus was about to be led away, a horn sounded from outside the estate.
Then, Scott Livinus’s voice rang out: “Are you threatening me?”
“Not exactly a threat… Regardless of whether it’s true, they have to arrest you. Given your status… your life may very well be over!”
“After all the effort you went through to finally reveal your hand, what is it you want from me?”
“I want you to meet two of my conditions. First, marry me; second, help the Will Family through their crisis.”
The voice was clearly a conversation between Scott Livinus and Miss Maggie, and in it, Miss Maggie blatantly admitted to threatening Scott and trying to strike a deal with him. However, this exchange left one question unanswered—was there any truth to the assault accusation?
The crowd had its doubts, thinking that the recording alone might not fully clear Scott Livinus’s name.
Then, unexpectedly, another recording began to play.
“Who’s the poor guy you’ve got your sights on now?”
“I don’t mind telling you, my family’s in a bit of trouble. I’m determined to make Scott Livinus marry me and take over the Will Family business. He’s the only one capable of saving us and ensuring my future wealth.”
“Maggie, what’s your plan?”
“It’s simple. Accuse him of assault. Whether he wants to or not, he’ll have to marry me! Once he’s in…”
The recording brought the entire room to a stunned silence. In it, Miss Maggie herself admitted to framing Scott Livinus, with the intent to save the Will Family and force him into marriage.
“Isn’t that Lucas’s voice? He’s Miss Maggie’s boyfriend?”
“This woman has no shame! She’s even willing to say things like that!”
“Thank goodness for the recording, or Mr. Scott would’ve been defenseless!”
“Miss Maggie is truly calculating. Is the Will Family going bankrupt? She’s so desperate she’s willing to lie about assault.”
Miss Maggie stood frozen in disbelief, shaken by the recording.
She couldn’t believe it and shook her head in denial, unable to accept that someone had recorded her conversation with Lucas. Who could it have been? Was it that woman who had gone to see Lucas? Wasn’t that Joanna?
