Chapter 179

The car ride was uncomfortably silent until Natalie finally spoke up. "Lil N, Nathan Blackwood's behavior was rather peculiar today, don't you think?"

Evelyn let out a bitter laugh, recalling Nathan's words to Dominic Kingsley that night. "You think he has feelings for me? Please."

"How else would Penelope Sinclair dare claim to be Nathan's fiancée? That marriage alliance rumor didn't come from nowhere," Natalie frowned, twisting her designer bracelet nervously.

"But would the Blackwoods really need an alliance with Sinclair Group?"

"Who cares," Lucas muttered darkly. After dropping Natalie off, he drove Evelyn back to Sterling Manor.

The next morning, Evelyn was jolted awake by raised voices downstairs. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she descended to find William Sterling berating Lucas with enough volume to shake the chandeliers.

"You absolute disgrace! Even Leo has more sense than you! Look what you've dragged your sister into!" William thrust the morning paper at them.

The headline screamed: Lucas Sterling - Evelyn's Secret Toyboy! Scandalous Affair Between CEO and Star Actor! Hollywood Royalty's Shocking Fall From Grace!

Alexander's expression was murderous. "See what happens when you insist on this acting nonsense? No one would care about you if not for your ridiculous career!"

Lucas slumped on the sofa, pounding the armrest dramatically. "Father dearest, I'm the victim here! Why am I being scolded when I'm the one being slandered?"

"You involved your sister in your mess and dare talk back?" William's glare could have frozen lava.

Evelyn sighed. "At this point, the fastest way to end this is to publicly confirm Lucas's real identity."

William grimaced. "But he bought those acting awards! The embarrassment—"

Evelyn and Lucas exchanged exasperated looks. "I earned those awards through talent!" Lucas wanted to scream. The revelation of his place in the Sterling hierarchy stung - revered by the public, yet considered a family disgrace.

Meanwhile at Celestial Media, Yuna Takahashi watched the growing scandal with increasing anxiety. She'd only wanted to tarnish Evelyn's reputation and drive Lucas away from her.

"Penelope, what if this backfires on Lucas? I never meant—"

Penelope patted her hand reassuringly. "The media outlet is ours. They'll focus on Evelyn, not Lucas. We're saving him from that gold-digger's clutches."

They'd leaked photos of Lucas kneeling to fasten Evelyn's shoes at last week's gala - a humiliating image that sparked outrage.

[How dare she treat our Lucas like a servant!]

[Who does Evelyn Sinclair think she is? The Queen of England?]

[At least our Julian Moreau has self-respect!]

But Penelope's triumph lasted barely two hours before Sterling Corporation dropped their bombshell statement:

Lucas Sterling is the eldest son of William Sterling and brother to CEO Evelyn Sterling. Any suggestion of impropriety between them is false and defamatory.

Evelyn shared the announcement with the caption: Proud of my superstar brother! Lucas instantly reposted: Proud of my genius CEO sister!

The internet exploded. Servers crashed under the weight of shocked reactions:

[Lucas Sterling is a Sterling heir?! Mind blown!]

[This sibling duo is everything! #FamilyGoals]

[The Sterlings have it all - Alexander the business titan, Lucas the A-list actor, Evelyn the tech genius. How do I get reborn into this family?]

[So brothers can't help sisters with shoes now? Get a life, haters!]

[Ship officially sunk. Julian Moreau stans, assemble!]

[The way the Sterling brothers support Evelyn's leadership? Obsessed with this power family!]