**Audrey's POV**

Blake sat in his wheelchair, back straight as always. "Victoria Sinclaír.Remember taking those gifts from Audrey and still calling her a country bumpkin with no class? Remember that?"

Victoria went pale. "I was just joking with my sister. We were -"

"A joke is only funny when both people laugh," Blake cut her off. "What you did was bullying."

He motioned to security. "Get her out of here. She can spend some time with her biological parents."

Victoria screamed as they dragged her toward the exit. "No! Please! I don't want to go with them!"

After she was gone, reporters started whispering to each other.

"This livestream is breaking the internet!"

"Everyone's searching for Evelyn and Adrian KKnox."

"Look at how everyone's calling them the perfect couple."

I glanced at Thalia, who looked ready to explode. Her hired goons approached her,confused.

"So when do we throw the eggs?" one asked.

Thalia snorted. "What eggs? They're being praised everywhere! You want

to get torn apart online? Besides, you saw what her husband did to the Sinclairs,right?"

The men looked at each other, clearly ready to leave.

Thalia suddenly smiled. "Wait. Since you're here, go find theSinclairs outside. You can use those eggs and fists on them instead."

The group perked up. "Now that sounds good."

I watched them go, smiling to myself. Thalia's plan to humiliate me was falling apart fast.

"Evelyn, hold still."

Adrian's voice snapped me back to reality as his hands guided me into a chair. Looking down, I was surprised to see him holding tweezers, focused on my leg.

He carefully grabbed the glass shard in my calf-completely forgotten in all the drama-and pulled it out.

Pain shot through my leg, making me wince.

"Hurt?" Adrian asked, not looking up.

"It's fine," I lied.

Cameras flashed around us as reporters captured Adrian cleaning and bandaging the wound.

**Rachel's POV**

I scrolled through my phone,getting madder by the second:

[Evelyn Knox and Adrian Knox are couple goals!]

[True love exists - just look at the Knoxes!]

[Fighter for his enemies, gentle for his wife!]

[Adrian Knox is the perfect husband!]

I bit my lip hard. This was supposed to be MY moment. MY wedding to Blake was days away. I should've been the one trending in New York.

Instead,this woman with Audrey's face had stolen my spotlight.

I looked at Blake, hoping he'd be asannoyed as me. Instead, my stomach dropped. He couldn't take his eyes off Adrian treating her wound. His face showed worry, concern, and something else-jealousy, barely hidden.

I walked over and stood between them,blocking his view.

"Blake," I said quietly, "everything's done here. Ready to go?"

He didn't even look at me. He just pushed me aside, eyes still fixed on them.

Only after Adrian finished did Blake finally look away,frowning like he'd just woken up from a trance.

**Audrey's POV**

"Michael, take the doctors back, please."

Blake's voice suddenly turned soft, He looked at the three doctors who'd brought the evidence against the Sinclairs.

"Sorry about the chaos. Thank you for coming."

The female doctor smiled. "We should thank you. For years we wondered what happened to those babies. Finding the truth has lifted a weight from our hearts."

All three doctors thanked Blake before heading out with Michael.

I nodded gratefully as they passed, but the female doctor stopped and grabbed my wrist.

"Mrs. Knox, I'm a cardiac specialist."

She leaned closer, whispering, "Your heart is perfectly healthy. You're Audrey Sinclair, aren't you?"

I tried to keep my face blank despite the shock.

"Don't worry," she said quietly.′′Idon't know what's happening between you all, but Blake Parker has done a lot for you. He's been calling us constantly for a week. Without him, we wouldn't be here today, and you wouldn't have that video. If you want to thank someone, thank him,not us."

She patted my shoulder and walked away, leaving me stunned.

*A week ago?* I hadn't even thought about coming back to New York then.How could Blake have known? Why would he contact them?

Rachel's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Everyone, we're done here," she announced to the lingering reporters."Thanks for coming. I hope to see you all at my wedding with Blake in two days. There'll be gifts for everyone then, including payment for today."

The reporters reluctantly packed up and left. The lobby emptied out

quickly、

Rebecca walked over to Thalia, frowning. "Thalia, are you planning to watch this lovefest all day?"

"God no, it's disgusting," Thalia laughed.

Before leaving, she glared at me. "I used to just hate your face, but now I know you're from the same trash family as Audrey. No wonder you make me sick."

She linked arms with Rebecca and stomped out.

Ethan caught my eye and nodded before heading toward the back exit.

Adrian checked his phone with a smile and sat beside me.

"New Yorkers sure love drama," he laughed, showing me comments praising our relationship.

As I focused on the screen, Adrian suddenly called out. "Miss Hayes.leaving already?"

I looked up, surprised to see Rachel's back.

Blake noticed my confusion. "Knox just told her if she wanted attention too, I could beat up her biological father too."

I turned to Adrian, shocked. "You mentioned her father?"

Adrian nodded, confused."Yes,what's wrong?"

Blake and I answered at the exact same moment: "The thing she least wants to mention is her father's death and her mother's remarriage..."

'Then we both stopped talking at once. The sudden overlap hung in the air betieen us.

The hotel lobby fell quiet except for the distant sound of someone sweeping up glass.

I could feel Blake watching me, his eyes never leaving my face.

That was it, then. My cover might be blown as only three people knew that particular detail about Rachel's family: me, Astrid,and Blake.

Adrian cleared his throat. "Well, I obviously hit a nerve. Didn't know her family situation was so complicated."

I said, "Adrian. Can I talk to Mr. Parker alone for a minute?"

After a while, he nodded. "Fine."

He leaned down like he was going to kiss my cheek, but instead whispered:"Forget about tonight's dinner with Parker. This has been unpleasant enough."

"I'll cook for you and your friends tonight. We should celebrate taking down the Sinclairs and becoming New York's favorite power couple."

I nodded. "Sounds good."

"That's my girl." Adrian pinched my cheek lightly - a deliberate move for Blake's benefit - then headed for the exit.

The door clicked shut behind him. Even the cleaning staff had disappeared.

Just me and Blake now.

"Your leg," I said. breaking the silence. "Can you actually stand?"

Blake looked surprised by my question. After a moment,he shrugged."Doctors say I should be able to, theoretically. But I injured the same leg five years ago. The new wound reopened old damage. They can't say for sure if I'll fully recover or stand again."

"Five years ago your leg wasn't thatbad though." I frowned. "You were walking with crutches almost immediately."

"Two months later you were totally fine. I remember you even kicked Rachel's chair once when you were joking around."

"Yeah," Blake said, smiling at the memory.′′Iwasn't serious back then.You and Rachel..."

He stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened as he realized what he'd just said.

He stared at me. "Mrs. Knox... what exactly are you talking about?"

"Five years ago, we never even -"

"Blake," I cut him off, meeting his eyes. "You recognized me all along.didn't you?"