Karina was the first to enter.
As soon as she saw Xavier, her face lit up with a sweet smile. She approached him affectionately and said in a coy voice, "Xavier, why did you call me here? Was it to fulfill my wish of seeing the presidential suite?"
Xavier curled his lip in disapproval. "Miss Carter, you're overthinking it. I didn't call you-it was him."
He casually gestured to Christan, who was standing nearby.
Karina turned her head and, upon seeing Christan, her eyes curved into crescents. "Oh! It's the Movie King! I've seen every drama you've acted in-I'm a big fan!"
Christan nodded slightly but didn't say a word to her.
Next came Clint.
Upon entering and seeing the room full of people, he asked in confusion, "Is there something going on?"
Xavier shrugged in the same disinterested way. "They said there's a good show coming up, so they invited you to watch too."
"A show?" Clint looked around suspiciously, then finally noticed the woman sitting on the sofa. "Poppy? What are you doing here?!"
Poppy kept her head down the entire time.
Upon hearing Clint's voice, she felt even more ashamed and turned her head slightly, pretending not to have heard him.
"Poppy, what's wrong?"
Knowing her for many years, Clint was certain he hadn't mistaken her, and he quickly walked toward her.
Before he could reach her, Serena and Vega also arrived.
Because of her leg injury, Vega had borrowed a spare wheelchair from the front desk and was pushing Serena in.
The moment Xavier saw her in a wheelchair, his expression completely shattered.
He rushed to her in just two steps, ignoring the people around. Kneeling in front of her, he looked at her injured leg with distress. "Serena, are you hurt? Why are you in a wheelchair? I was only gone for a little while-what happened?!"
Serena was about to speak, but Christan cut in, "Since everyone's here, let's begin."
He turned to Poppy. "Miss Castano, you can tell us everything now."
But in front of Clint, Poppy suddenly became timid.
She didn't want him to see her in such a disgraceful state!
As she stayed silent, Xavier grew impatient. "Christan, what the hell is going on here?!"
Karina batted her eyes and nervously offered, "Miss Castano doesn't look well. Maybe we should let her rest for now. Whatever this is, we can talk about it later."
Christan curved his lips into a slight smirk. "No rush, Miss Carter. It's fine if Miss Castano doesn't want to speak-I have a recording of everything she just said. Everyone can listen to that."
Karina's expression darkened instantly. Panic filled her face.
Christan pressed play on his phone, and the recording began to play.
"..."
As the recording played, Karina's face grew paler and paler. In the end, she could no longer hold it in-she charged forward and slapped the phone out of his hand.
She shouted, "Lies! That's all lies! That woman is slandering me! I'm going to sue her!"
Poppy suddenly raised her head and gritted her teeth. "Karina, you're despicable! I thought you were my partner and counted on you to save me, but instead, you stood by and did nothing-letting me get..."
At that point, she glanced at Clint and quickly changed her tone. "And now you have the nerve to play the victim? Fine! If you're heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless. Go ahead and sue me-I'll expose your disgusting schemes and true nature for the whole world to see. You act like a refined, proper lady, but deep down, you're filthier and more wicked than anyone!"
"Shut up!" Karina screamed and lunged forward, trying to claw at Poppy's face.
Clint stepped in just in time to shield Poppy.
Xavier also stepped forward and sternly warned, "Miss Carter, this is X Group's hotel-please watch your behavior."
Karina turned her head anxiously and tried to explain, "Xavier, listen to me-everything Poppy said is a lie! She's trying to frame me! You can't believe her!"
"The truth will speak for itself! Once that drunk wakes up, we'll ask him what really happened!"
"Drunk guy?!"
That's right-there was still the drunk man! He was a witness!
Panicking, Karina suddenly dashed toward the bedroom. "He's working with Poppy! They're trying to ruin me! I have to act first-I'll kill him!"
Brody and two security guards rushed in to restrain her.
Xavier stepped up and said coldly, "Karina Carter, out of respect for the relationship between the Blaze and Carter families, I've always treated you with courtesy. But I never imagined you could be so ruthless-to even think of doing that to Serena!"
"Serena?!" Karina laughed bitterly. "How sweet! I knew there was something going on between you and that little tramp!"
"Shut up! Say another word against Serena and I won't be so polite!"
His eyes narrowed, shooting out a dangerous gleam.
Xavier's entire aura turned cold and oppressive, exuding a chilling intensity.
Karina instinctively trembled, no longer daring to make a sound.
Half an hour later, the drunk man was finally awakened with cold water. Opening his eyes and seeing so many people, he was visibly frightened.
His gaze swept across the room until it landed on Karina-only then did he relax.
Smiling, as if asking for credit, he said, "Miss Carter, I did exactly what you asked! That chick-she was quite something! So... are you going to give me what you promised?"
"What nonsense are you spewing?!" Karina was still struggling to deny everything.
"What do you mean?!" the drunk man's face turned stern. "You can't go back on your word! I even have a video of the whole thing on my phone!"
He bent down, rummaged through his clothes on the floor, took out his phone, and played the video.
On-screen, every detail of what Poppy went through was clearly captured.
"AHHH!!!" A piercing scream rang through the room. Poppy snapped, covering her ears and bolting out the door like a madwoman.
Clint rushed after her without hesitation.
Karina collapsed to the ground, completely defeated.
Xavier said coldly, "Miss Carter, I warned you to stay away from Serena. You didn't listen. These audio and video recordings will all be turned over to the police. If you feel wronged, explain it to them."
***