The Encrypted Line to the White House: A Scorned Heiress's Annihilation - Chapter 107: Chapter 107

In the video, Grace could be seen looking around anxiously, as if searching for someone.
The moment Gabriella appeared, Grace quickly snatched a glass of red wine from a passing server and hurried directly toward Gabriella.
As she approached Gabriella, Grace's pace increased, culminating in a deliberate collision.
The wine glass left her hand, its contents spilling onto Gabriella's gown—the rest, everyone had witnessed firsthand.
From the security footage, the truth was undeniable.
Grace had deliberately bumped into Gabriella.
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the audience as the whispered discussions resumed.
Several guests had been recording the screening with their mobile phones.
This security footage would undoubtedly appear on social media within hours.
High society drama involving wealthy heiresses always attracted more attention than any television programme.
Whether for clicks, views, or simple entertainment, this video was destined to go viral.
After leaving the screening room, Asher phoned Lady Blackwood.
Neither she nor Grace had come to view the footage.
Now that the truth was evident, they needed to apologise to Gabriella.
The call was answered by Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper responsible for Lady Blackwood's care.
"Master Asher, I'm afraid Lady Blackwood has had another episode with her heart. We're on our way to hospital right now."
"Oh, how terribly convenient," Asher replied, his skepticism evident.
Mrs. Hughes glanced discreetly at Lady Blackwood seated nearby.
The elderly woman exchanged a meaningful look with her.
Mrs. Hughes maintained a steady tone as she lied: "I'm afraid so, sir. After your disagreement earlier, Lady Blackwood became rather upset, which triggered her condition. As you know, she's terribly sensitive to any sort of upset."
Asher remained silent for a moment.
"Put Grace on, would you?"
The phone was on speaker, and upon hearing this, Grace frantically shook her head at Mrs. Hughes.
"Miss Bennett isn't with us in the car, sir. I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest where she might be."
"How remarkably convenient," Asher responded with cold derision. "If they won't talk to me now, they can jolly well apologise to Gabriella in person at her home."
Gabriella had gone upstairs to change her clothes.
Asher was alone in the garden making his call.
As he finished and walked back toward the banquet hall, he encountered Randolph.
Having concluded his business discussions, Randolph had been briefed by the estate manager about the incident in the banquet hall.
He had sought out Lady Blackwood for an explanation, only to be informed that she and Grace had already departed.
Now he was looking for Asher.
Randolph's expression was thunderous. "Asher, what on earth happened in the banquet hall? Why are your grandmother and sister treating Gabriella so poorly?"
Asher adopted a conciGabbytory tone. "Uncle Randolph, I'm terribly sorry about all this. Please allow me to offer my apologies on their behalf."
Randolph scoffed. "You're not the one who should be apologising. I've been fully briefed on the situation. You consistently defended Gabriella—it was your grandmother and sister who behaved appallingly. They're the ones who should apologise! And not to me, but to Gabriella herself."
"I couldn't agree more. I'll ensure they personally come to make amends."
"That's more like it," Randolph's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained severe. "My daughter is the pride of the Rodriguez family. I won't have her mistreated by anyone—not even members of the Blackwood family!"
"You're absolutely right, sir," Asher responded with his customary respectful manner toward Randolph.
Soon enough, the video of Grace deliberately bumping into Gabriella at the banquet went viral online.
Beyond the security footage, videos of the argument between Gabriella and Grace were also circulating.
The headlines grew increasingly sensational:
"Scheming Social Climber Confronted by True Heiress, Publicly Exposed"
"Calculated Innocent Act Backfires as Heiress Demands Justice"
"Heiresses Clash at Elite Gathering—You Won't Believe Why!"
"Wealthy Heiresses Come to Blows Over Eligible Bachelor"
"High Society Sisters Become Bitter Rivals for Man's Affection"
Victoria scrolled through the trending topics. "These headlines are becoming utterly ridiculous."
Charlotte looked puzzled. "I'm surprised the Blackwood family is allowing these videos to circulate."
Gabriella responded coldly: "People don't realise Grace is the Blackwoods' adopted daughter. Haven't you noticed that Lady Blackwood and Asher aren't visible in any of the footage?"
Charlotte nodded in realisation. "That explains why they've been released."
Victoria made a contemptuous sound. "That dreadful old bat is really something..."
Charlotte quickly interrupted: "Gabriella, aren't you going to have these trending topics removed? Couldn't this affect your reputation?"
Gabriella shook her head. "I won't remove them, nor will I allow the Blackwood family to do so. The security footage has been uploaded, and anyone can see who was in the wrong. I'm quite happy for Grace to be humiGabbyted—it serves her right for constantly scheming against me."
Victoria nodded firmly. "I'm with you on that one!"
Charlotte added: "I support you as well."
The following day, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood brought Grace to formally apologise.
Asher accompanied them, but Lady Blackwood was notably absent. She claimed to have suffered a heart attack from distress and was supposedly in the ICU. Whether this was true remained unclear, but as Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood appeared genuinely contrite, Randolph didn't press the issue of Lady Blackwood's condition.
Gabriella and Randolph had spent the night at the estate, so the Blackwoods came there to deliver their apology.
In the luxurious reception room, Randolph occupied the main seat, with Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood seated to his left and right. Gabriella and Asher sat together.
Grace was on her knees.
The previous night, Asher had backed up the security footage on his phone and sent it to his parents.
They had immediately reprimanded Grace severely.
Though they hadn't dared criticise Lady Blackwood, Asher had gone to the hospital and shown her the security footage.
Faced with irrefutable evidence, Lady Blackwood—despite her disapproval of Gabriella—couldn't deny the truth. She acknowledged Grace's wrongdoing and tacitly approved their plan to take her to apologise.
No matter how much Grace pleaded and cried to see her, Lady Blackwood refused all visitors.
With Lady Blackwood's implicit consent, Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood brought suitable gifts and escorted Grace to formally apologise.
Grace had intended to remain seated. As she was about to sit down, before Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood could say anything, Asher coldly ordered: "Who said you could sit? On your knees!"
His tone was glacial, carrying an authority that brooked no argument.
Grace pressed her lips together, on the verge of tears, looking beseechingly toward Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood.
Mr. Blackwood maintained a stern expression. "You heard him, Grace. Kneel."
Mrs. Blackwood's face was equally cold. "Do as you're told."
Asher's entire demeanour radiated frigid displeasure. Fearing to provoke him further, Grace had no choice but to kneel.
Randolph appeared moderately satisfied.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood delivered lengthy opening remarks expressing their regret.
When it was Grace's turn to apologise, Asher intervened coldly: "Turn around properly. Face Gabriella when you apologise."
Grace struggled to contain herself, but ultimately dared not defy him. She obediently turned ninety degrees to face Gabriella directly, still kneeling. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have deliberately embarrassed you in such a public setting. I know I was wrong."
Gabriella regarded Grace with curious interest. "Why are you constantly gunning for me?"