Chapter 63

"Poor thing. Alexia has already been through enough, and now she's getting dragged even more. Some people just have the worst luck."

Just as netizens started venting their outrage, the chat was suddenly flooded with warnings. "Stop spreading slander or face legal consequences!"

Alexia noticed the ID clearly marked as part of Jenkins Group and let out a mocking smile. "Looks like someone's getting nervous."

Her lips curled into a cool, confident smile that caught everyone's attention.

"Wait, was that someone from Jenkins Group? So they were lurking this whole time? That's shady as hell."

"You all saw it, right? Jenkins Group said she's slandering Marilee. She's just bitter because they kicked her out, now she's making up lies!"

"Calm down. Zayne's old application files were already found. They did list him as an International Math Competition gold medalist!"

Completely unbothered, Alexia shot back, "Go ahead and sue me. Let's see what lands first-your legal notice or my court summons."

Jenkins Group's PR team clearly didn't expect Alexia to be so fearless. She wasn't backing down in the slightest.

The live chat was practically on fire.

It was obvious that Jenkins Group had completely lost the upper hand in this public showdown.

Right as the livestream kept heating up, Alexia's phone screen lit up with an incoming call from Evelyn.

Without hesitation, Alexia held it up for everyone to see, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Well, well, our ever-affectionate mother's on the line. Should I take this call live? What do you all think?"

The viewers flooded the chat, urging her to pick up. But before she could, Evelyn hung up.

"That was fast. Did she get scared?"

"Of course she's scared. A live call would've been a total disaster for her. Gotta say, Alexia's smart for flipping the script."

"She really knows what she's doing. She's playing this perfectly!"

Now that her makeup was done, Alexia looked flawless-her beauty and elegance had the whole chat mesmerized.

She gave the camera a playful wink. "That's all for today, folks. I've got a few confrontations to take care of.I'll stream again when I can. Thank you for the generous tips, everything will go to charity after this. Bye!"

With a click, the stream ended, leaving viewers hooked and begging for more.

"Wait! You can't just leave! I wanna hear the showdown too!"

"The idea of Alexia walking into a showdown with the Jenkins family? I'd pay to watch that happen live!"

"Please, at least post an update later! I need to know how it goes, even if it's just a text post!"

The excitement hadn't even cooled before Alexia picked up her phone and returned Evelyn's call.

Evelyn answered immediately, her voice sharp and angry."Alexia, if you have a problem, take it out on me.Why are you dragging Zayne into this?"

That tone-tight with fury-actually amused Alexia.

This so-called mother-no, foster mother-had spent over two decades treating her like a stranger. Cold,distant, emotionally unavailable.

Since the day Alexia got married, Evelyn hadn't-so much as asked how she was doing. Not once. Even after they cut ties publicly, Evelyn never brought her name up, not even by accident.

But now? All' that icy composure melted away the moment Zayne got involved. How ironic.

With a mocking laugh, Alexia said coolly, "Take it out on you? Isn't that what I'm already doing? Open your eyes. The more I go after Zayne, the more worked up you get. And when I humiliate him publicly,do you really think I'm doing it to hurt Marilee? She's just collateral. It's you I'm aiming at."

There was a brief pause on the line before Evelyn's voice returned-sharper this time, practically seething."We gave you everything for twenty years, and this is how you repay us? Aren't you afraid of the consequences of being so ungrateful?"

Alexia's hand slammed down on the table with a loud crack, making Evelyn jump.

"Ungrateful?" Alexia snapped. "Do you even have the right to say that to me? You humiliated me in front of everyone at Marilee's birthday party-publicly disowned me without warning. Did you ever once stop to consider my feelings? No? Then why should I care about you guys now?"

Evelyn bit back, "That still doesn't give you the right to go after Zayne! You promised me you'd take this secret to the grave!"

Alexia let out a dry laugh. "And I only made that promise because you told me family scandals should stay private. But guess what? You aren't my family anymore. So why should I protect your lies? And besides,you promised me plenty of things too. Did you ever keep any of them?"

Evelyn had no response. The silence dragged on until her voice returned, cold as ever. "Alexia, are you declaring war on us now?"