The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 454

The photos capture the two of them huddled close together at dinner, with Evan gazing at Jade so intently it looks as if he is seconds away from kissing her. The heavy, musky tension is undeniable.

The internet absolutely detonates.

[Oh my god, aren't they siblings? What kind of brothers and sisters act like this?]

[I would never get this handsy with my own brother. Everyone knows you need boundaries!]

[They aren't blood relatives. She's adopted. Are they raising her to be a wife or something?]

[Even an arranged marriage only goes to one son! She's basically stringing along all three brothers! That is so gross!]

[Don't forget the heir to the Jewell family! This Jade girl really knows how to play the game. She's a total maneater!]

The narrative instantly shifts. This is no longer a petty celebrity rumor—it is a full-blown, high-society scandal. The affluent circles of Capital City immediately catch wind of the drama. Many of the wealthy socialites have always harbored a bitter jealousy toward Deanna for marrying a loyal husband and raising four successful children. Now that they finally have ammunition to tear her down, they absolutely refuse to waste it.

Deanna's phone practically catches fire. The group chats are flooded with passive-aggressive jabs from the society wives, quickly followed by incoming calls from her own relatives and Eleanor. Every single one of them blames her for utterly failing to raise her children with morals.

"Deanna, look at what your sons have become! Every single one of them has been corrupted by that adopted girl!"

"Fix this mess!" Eleanor snaps, abruptly hanging up the phone.

The dial tone rings in Deanna's ear, leaving her frantic and overwhelmed. It is the first time she has ever felt this level of paralyzing panic. She decides she needs to sit her sons down for a serious intervention—and right on cue, the front door swings open.

"You finally decided to show up! Do you have any idea what the entire world is saying about you right now?" Deanna explodes. Her chest heaves with pent-up rage and the lingering humiliation from Eleanor's scolding.

Jake and Alec step into the foyer, immediately walking into a firing squad. She unleashes her fury on both of them, but zeroes in heavily on Jake. As the eldest brother, he is naturally the first to take the bullet.