Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 174

“Who is that woman? She’s wearing a server’s uniform. I don’t recognize her.”

“What did she do to Ms. Jackson? Why would she want to kill a server?”

“It’s a good thing that fountain was there, or she’d be dead.”

Victoria had calculated the angle perfectly. She knew she wouldn’t die from that height.

Not only would she survive, but she would also create a massive problem for Stephanie.

People believe what they see with their own eyes. With her jump, she had become the victim, and now she held all the cards.

Victoria's goal was simple: to paint Stephanie as a violent aggressor, despised by all.

You’ll never be free of me, Stephanie.

Arnold and Susan rushed over, drawn by the commotion.

“What happened?”

Vivian, who had arrived a moment earlier, eagerly fanned the flames. “Stephanie tried to kill someone! She pushed that woman! Dad, Mom, we have to call the police! This is attempted murder, and everyone here saw it!”

The party was hosted by the Yates family, so they were naturally responsible for any incidents.

Susan was taken aback. “That’s impossible. Stephanie would never do something like that. Where’s the security footage? Check the cameras.”

Vivian said with a hint of glee, “That spot is a blind angle. The cameras can’t see it.”

Victoria had known it was a blind spot; it was why she had chosen that exact location to jump.

Now, she looked pale and pitiful. Shivering from the cold water, she put on a heart-wrenching performance.

“Stephanie, you’re so cruel. I'm from nothing, yes. But I am a person, aren't I? Even if you hate me, you had no right to try and murder me in a fit of rage.”

Victoria sobbed as she spoke. She was naturally thin and petite, and her expression of wronged vulnerability was a silent testament to Stephanie’s supposed crime.

Someone in the crowd asked, “What did you do to make her want to kill you?”

Quennel pushed through the crowd, his eyes widening in surprise. “Victoria?”

Immediately, someone asked, “Mr. Gonzalez, you know her?”

Quennel remained silent, his face grim. The biggest regret of his life was ever getting involved with a woman like her.

Victoria gazed at Quennel with a look of lovesick despair, then gave a bitter smile.

The situation was spiraling out of Quennel’s control. He had tried to keep his troubles with Stephanie private.

But now, thanks to Victoria, everyone suspected their relationship was in shambles, and he was the one at fault. He had betrayed Stephanie.

Quennel didn't want this to blow up any further, his eyes flashing with anger. “Victoria, what are you trying to do!”

Victoria cried out, tears streaming down her face, “What am I trying to do? Quennel, Stephanie tried to kill me!”

Quennel glanced at Stephanie.

She just stood there silently, her expression so detached she could have been a mere spectator.

Could she really have done it? The thought shook Quennel to his core.

His Stephanie was kind; she would never hurt anyone. If she really did it… there could be only one reason.

“Even if Stephanie did push you, it’s only because she cares about me. Because she loves me.”

The crowd gasped. Was Quennel indirectly admitting that he had something going on with this Victoria woman?

“Did Stephanie really push her? She’s a high-society heiress. If the other woman presses charges, she could actually go to jail, right?”