Chapter 71

Rupert's brows drew together the moment he heard the suggestion.

Stepping away from Louis's case would also mean giving up control of Sheldon's.

Yet the very people who had backed him for the mayor's seat had done so with the goal of taking Sheldon down.

After a pause that seemed to stretch, Rupert snapped,"Impossible! This matter is too significant. I can't just step aside without authority to do so."

Tristan replied calmly, "If it's too much for you,then I'll take it to the higher-ups and request your removal from the case."

The words landed like a blow, making Rupert's pulse jolt. Grinding his teeth, he said stiffly, "There's no need for that. I'll keep my personal affairs separate from my duties."

Tristan's gaze didn't soften as he replied, "Even so,your connection to Celine Oliver makes it hard for me to feel reassured. Perhaps I should call the higher-ups right now and explain the situation."

He let his hand drift toward his phone, the motion deliberate.

"Hold on!" Rupert's voice broke with urgency.

The possibility of this reaching the top was unthinkable-one leak, and his mayoral seat could be stripped away.

Drawing in several steadying breaths, he measured his options, then gave in. "Fine. I'll step back from the case."

A slow smile curved Tristan's lips. This was the moment he had been waiting for-not a hollow apology, but a binding concession.

He understood perfectly that Eliana cared less about hearing Celine's apology than about ensuring such trouble never arose again.

With a single nod, Tristan said, "In that case, let's consider the matter closed. I trust everyone here will keep today's disagreement to themselves."

Heads nodded all around in quiet agreement.

"We didn't see a thing."

"That's right, we were only here for coffee and a bit of conversation."

Once everyone voiced their agreement, Tristan lifted a hand in acknowledgment. "Then allow me to thank you all on Mayor Oliver's behalf."

Rupert's expression sank another shade darker.

Seeing no reason to stay, he gave a curt farewell.

Tristan, keeping up the appearance of courtesy, said,"There's still a competition later. Wouldn't you like to watch?"

"Absolutely not! I have urgent matters that cannot wait!"Rupert's refusal came swift and sharp.

Tristan gave a short nod. "Fair enough. If that's the case, you'd better hurry and get that withdrawal report sent to the higher-ups..."

The scowl on Rupert's face deepened, and he clamped his mouth shut. Without another word,he grabbed Celine and pulled her toward the back exit of the exhibition hall.

Inside the car, Celine leaned forward, her voice tight with worry. "Dad, are you seriously backing out of the case? If you do, what are you going to tell them? You swore you would-"

Her words were cut short when his palm cracked against her cheek.

The force snapped her head sideways, and for a moment, her vision swarmed with dizzy flickers, her vision swarmed with dizzy flickers.

By the time her senses cleared, Rupert's voice was cold enough to freeze. "You dare question me? This entire mess is on you! If not for your recklessness,how would I be backed into a corner? How would I be forced to abandon the case?"

Her shoulders hunched instinctively under the weight of his anger.

She pressed her teeth into her lip before murmuring,"I swear, I didn't spill coffee on her."

Rupert's mouth twisted into a mocking smile. "And the threats? Are you denying those too?"

The words stole the air from Celine's lungs, and she dropped her gaze without answering.

With a look that said he already knew the truth,Rupert asked, "So, do you finally understand where you went wrong?"

Celine nodded and replied, "I do. I shouldn't have used your name to scare her.I-"

"Wrong!" Rupert cut her off sharply. "That's not the real issue."

The sudden correction left her frozen in place,confusion clouding her face.If not that,then what?

With his eyes closing for a moment, Rupert said, "You lost your head when it came to Eliana Murray.You thought she was easy to handle, and that arrogance blinded you,letting her set you up."

Celine's fingers curled slowly into her palms.

She had,without a doubt, misjudged Eliana. Never had she imagined Eliana could be so cunning and convincing.

Though disappointment was clear in his tone, there was something else in Rupert's eyes-a trace of disbelief. "You've always been composed,clever,and patient. What happened today? Tristan may be outstanding, with a strong family name and plenty of talent. Men like him are rare. But you've only spoken to him once. Why throw your sense away so easily,giving Eliana the perfect chance to lead you around?"

Still keeping her eyes on the floor,Celine said nothing.

It wasn't true that she'd only met Tristan once.

Since their days in elementary school, their paths had crossed more than once. In those years, they shared the same classroom.

Her looks were different back then, and she was often singled out and picked on for it.

One particularly cruel day pushed her to the edge, and she tried to take her own life-until Tristan stepped in,urging her to hold on. He told her that if she didn't want to be an easy target, she needed to learn to fight back.

From that moment, he was the only glimmer of hope she had during her school years.

Yet now, he had no recognition of her, nor any memory of their shared past.

During the nights when Celine felt she couldn't endure anymore, thoughts of him were the only thing that kept her from breaking.

The moment she found out she would see him today,she poured her heart into her appearance.

Even so, her father's attempts to set them up were brushed aside when Tristan explained that he already had a fiancée.

She assumed at first that it was just an excuse, right up until she saw Tristan approaching with Eliana's hand clasped in his. That sight nearly shattered her ability to keep her emotions in check. It was in that moment that her judgment slipped away entirely.

She had also failed to measure Eliana properly,which led to her being played right into Eliana's hands.

With Celine keeping quiet, Rupert let out a heavy breath. "Enough! This is the first serious misstep you've made all these years. I'll let it go this time, but there will never be a second chance."

Without a word, Celine nodded in agreement. She promised herself she would never let her impulses rule her like that again.

The car merged onto the main road at a steady pace.

After mulling over her words, Celine finally asked,"Does this mean you're truly stepping away from the case?"

"Do you honestly think I have any choice? We've already handed them the upper hand. If I refuse to step away from the case, the fallout will only grow. At worst, I'll take a reprimand now," Rupert answered.

"Are you sure pulling out is the only option we have left?" Celine pressed.

"There's nothing else to be done. I have to remove myself completely from the matter. If I don't, and something happens to Louis, I'll be the one taking the fall," Rupert explained.

The choice weighed heavily on him, and for once,retreat felt like the only option.

Celine's lips pressed into a thin line.

Reading the unwillingness on her face, Rupert's tone hardened. "You're staying home until this blows over.Don't step outside. When the problem is dealt with,we'll find another solution. Until then, avoid any connection with the Murray family. Even if they insult you to your face,you will endure it."

Celine nodded, her face pale. "Alright."

Elsewhere, Doran guided Eliana into a small resting room.

Since the exhibition hall lacked a medical station,Doran suggested she run cool water over the burn while he went to get ointment.

Eliana flatly refused, "I don't need it."

"That's not an option. If you don't treat it now,you could end up with blisters," Doran said, concerned.

Lifting her hand, Eliana revealed smooth, unmarked skin-no sign of the scald at all.