Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 271

Ethan's intervention may have been just in the nick of time, but the power of internet buzz was immense. The first netizens to catch wind of the story quickly posted it online. Ines, being both the chairman of the Galeana Group and Ethan's wife, immediately drew attention. Within half an hour, the story had spread far and wide on the internet, getting reshaped and repackaged with a variety of clickbait titles.

Phoebe was the first to see the news and she quickly rang up Ines.

Ines checked the articles on her phone and got a headache just looking at the messy headlines.

"Ms. Galeana's Path of Revenge"

"How One Woman Controls Two Empires" Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

"Heiress Turns into Year's Most Cunning Woman"

The headlines were all over the place. Ines picked a random article to read. It claimed that the current chairman of the Galeana Group was a ruthless individual who had intentionally run over her half-sister five years ago, leaving her disabled and leading to her banishment from the family. Years later, she returned and took control of the Galeana Group. The previous chairman's sudden fall down the stairs was also her doing. Upon taking over, she quickly ousted her stepmother and took firm control of the Galeana Group.

The article even included a picture of Emma visiting the hospital the day before, implying that this was also Ines's doing.

Comment sections were filled with insults, with some even warning the CEO of the Meyer Group to see her true colors soon or his company would also fall into her hands.

Ines found the article laughable. Shirley had somehow managed to pin her own deeds on her, completely omitting her own infidelity. She couldn't believe Shirley had the audacity to do such a thing.

Ines wasn't upset, but rather calm, "Ethan, do we need to hold a press conference immediately?"

Ethan nodded, "We do, but it might be more effective if Emma explains. Our explanation might not be compelling enough. Also, the accident from years ago has records in various departments. The apparent facts are not in your favor and may even put you in the hot seat. The most important thing now is to get Emma to tell the truth about the accident." Ines immediately prepared to call Emma, but before she could dial, Emma called in. She said, "I saw the stuff online. I'm at home waiting for you guys, come over now. I'll tell you everything I know."

Upon hearing this, Ines's eyes lit up, hope burning in her heart. She felt that the problem that had been troubling her for years was finally about to be cleared up. Ines felt extremely excited, completely unaffected by the rumors.

Ethan, seeing her like this, felt slightly relieved.

When they arrived at the Galeana family home, Emma was sitting on the living room sofa, deep in thought. Aiden was sitting across from her, with Eda also standing nearby. Everyone's faces were somber, and the atmosphere was chilly.

It wasn't until Ethan and Ines walked in that Emma looked up, forcing a smile onto her face, "Sit down, I'll tell you the truth about the accident."

Ethan held onto Ines's hand as he sat down, not letting go.

Emma kept it brief as she was busy clarifying facts. She started by looking at Aiden and said calmly, "Our relationship before the engagement was actually a plot by my mother and me. You've always

known, I've liked you since the first time I saw you. But I've never dared to tell you. I couldn't accept you getting engaged to someone else, so I listened to my mother's advice and drugged your drink. That night was a complete accident, Ines was intentionally brought in by me."

Aiden looked at Emma in shock. He had drunk a bit that night and had always thought he had mistaken her for Ines. He never imagined all of this was planned by Emma and her mother.

Ines was unaffected by this revelation as she had no feelings for Aiden. Aiden, on the other hand, had completely severed ties with Ines because of that night.

Upon hearing Emma's words, Aiden looked at Ines but met Ethan's gaze. He withdrew his gaze, but his eyes held a hint of anger when he looked at Emma.

Emma gave a bitter smile at Aiden's reaction, saying lightly, "We'll deal with our issues later. Right now, that's not the most important thing."

"What really happened on the day of the engagement?" Ines only cared about that.

"You were very calm when you found out about Aiden and me. I thought you didn't care at all, but I heard you calling Phoebe in the restroom, saying that you would quietly leave on the engagement day to give Aiden a shock. I was so excited that I immediately told my mother, who told me not to worry and that she would handle it." Emma said.

"What does 'she would handle it' mean?" Ines's lips trembled slightly. She felt she was one step closer to the truth and was somewhat anxious. Emma quietly looked at Ines. She saw the urgency on her face, but what she knew might disappoint her, "I'm not exactly sure. I just know my mother did something bad to you. After you drove away quietly, I followed, wanting to find out what was going on. But you were driving aimlessly, wandering around until you ended up in a run-down neighborhood. I don't know when you spotted me, but you suddenly turned around at a fork in the

road and drove straight towards me. I didn't expect you to do that and didn't have time to react. I could only watch helplessly as your car charged towards me."

Emma still felt her body stiffen whenever she thought of that moment. The scent of death was terrifying.

Ethan furrowed his brows. He had visited the site of the accident more than once. It was a very narrow place, only slightly wider at the fork in the road. If Ines had turned around and charged towards Emma, Emma really would not have had any way to avoid it.

Looking at Emma, Ethan felt that this could not have been made up.

Did he miss anything else? Ines wasn't the type to rush into things.

"No way, I wouldn't do such a thing." Ines said with a flare. She had waited for so long and she didn't want to hear that kind of response anymore. Ethan grabbed her hand, "Chill Izzy, just chill."