The Headline Queen: President Hawthorne is Her Die-Hard Fan! Chapter 371: Crushing Defeat

After speaking, he seed to rember sothing, "Heard your fiancé abandoned you for a man, causing quite a stir recently. Must be tough for you, huh? Being dumped and still having to put on a brave face, looking for the next unlucky guy, are you?"

Sumr Xavier’s eye twitched, wondering what’s Ryan Abbott so proud of; doesn’t he have enough of a ss in the Abbott Family to worry about?

"Thank you, Mr. Abbott, for your concern. Seems your cousin’s been causing you a lot of trouble lately too. Oh, I also heard your father’s mistress ran off with a lot of goods from your family. Have you reclaid the losses?"

Since Seth Shaw’s death, the Abbott Family kept deteriorating, barely holding up now.

At first, Seth’s mother insisted the mother and son of the Abbott Family killed Seth, demanding they pay with their lives, but with no evidence, she didn’t even seek revenge and instead, took a lot of money from Mr. Abbott, exploiting his guilt before disappearing.

It was rely adding insult to injury for the Abbott Family.

Seeing Mrs. Abbott at the party today, wearing half-year-old outdated couture, it was clear.

Sure enough, Sumr’s words darkened Ryan Abbott’s face.

He wanted to say sothing else, but Mrs. Abbott signaled him with a glare.

Given their family’s current situation, her son still went around offending Sumr Xavier—does he have a hole in his head?

Ryan Abbott took a deep breath, calming down, though his tone still carried spite.

"After eting soone like Harrison Sheridan, you finally realize how good I am now, right? Regret not holding onto ? It’s okay, I can still give you another chance, as long as you..."

Sumr couldn’t bother listening to his nonsense, slamd her heel on his instep, and said coldly, "I only regret not killing you, giving you the chance to co and disgust with your rubbish."

In a public setting, Ryan, despite the pain, dared not scream.

He gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down, "Sumr Xavier, you..."

Sumr laughed, "You know how reluctant I am to part with you, right? I really feel like hitting you every ti I see you."

After speaking, Sumr left gracefully.

Mrs. Abbott ca over, asking, "So, did Sumr forgive you, or not?"

"Mom! That woman doesn’t have a shred of friendliness for , and you want to face her cold deanor with warmth?"

Mrs. Abbott, frustrated, "Girls are all soft-hearted; with what she’s just been through with the Sheridan family, if you just say so good words, care for her, comfort her, won’t she open up to you?"

Mrs. Abbott still had unfounded confidence in her son.

Given the Abbott Family’s status, only by securing help from the Xavier Family could they revive.

After all, with Seth Shaw deceased and no further competition within the Abbott Family, Mrs. Abbott needed to find ways to ensure they wouldn’t starve.

Otherwise, how would they survive?

Just then, several uniford officers suddenly entered.

The scene quieted, for where police were involved, sothing significant was bound to happen.

The host imdiately approached to inquire, and the officers showed their credentials, saying, "We’re here for Ryan Abbott. He’s involved in a criminal case; is Ryan present?"

The host was stunned, like others, quickly seeking Ryan Abbott’s presence in the gathering.

In the crowd, Ryan Abbott was frozen.

Since Seth Shaw’s death, Ryan faced no threats, erging triumphant, almost forgetting he had killed Seth.

Now, with officers suddenly here alleging his involvent in a criminal case, Seth ca rushing to his mind.

His complexion turned pale, instinctively trying to flee.

The officers had already noticed him, seeing him attempting escape, they stepped forward and shackled him.

Mrs. Abbott panicked, "My son hasn’t committed any cri, why arrest him? Let go, let go!"

"Ms. Abbott, Ryan is suspected of murdering Mr. Seth Shaw. Our police have gathered sufficient evidence requiring him to co for investigation. Please cooperate and don’t obstruct official duties."

Mrs. Abbott was shocked.

What? Seth was killed by her son? No, this cannot be!

Her son couldn’t possibly kill!

Though Mrs. Abbott had thought of Seth’s death, she lacked the courage for murder, let alone her son.

This news stunned not only Mrs. Abbott but everyone present, never imagining the precarious wealth of the Abbott Family warranted Ryan’s murder for robbery—was he insane for money?

Ryan was taken away.

A shiver ran through the Xavier Family.

They initially intended to marry Sumr to Ryan, yet Ryan committed murder.

Clearly, if Sumr had married him, sharing life with a murderer, what could have happened?

Initially denying killing Seth, Ryan adamantly resisted.

But as the police laid out evidence, he had no choice but to admit.

Ultimately, Ryan faced heavy sentencing.

Had the death penalty not been abolished in Veridia, Ryan, for intentional murder, would have been executed.

The Abbott Family’s two sons—one dead, the other a killer—collapsed Mr. Abbott.

Mr. Abbott had a stroke, bedridden, immobile.

The Abbott Family collapsed in an instant.

Mrs. Abbott, resentful of Mr. Abbott, let him remain bedridden, ignoring his life, citing his affair to file for divorce.

The Abbott Family vanished overnight from Jarrow’s elite circle.

Adding to Abbott Family’s plight, alongside the declining Sheridan family, speculation erged linking Sumr Xavier, suspecting her of a curse upon future households.

Rumors spread in circles, claiming those who married into the Xavier Family would face ruin.

In 9102, who’d believe such superstition?

Yet, in these circles, they did, for fortune breeds fear of loss.

Thus, Sumr acrquired a ’Black Widow’ reputation; families feared their sons being chosen by the Xavier’s, hosting weddings for eligible young n.

Mrs. Xavier was furious upon hearing of this.

How was it her daughter’s fault? Clearly, people lacked integrity.

Mrs. Xavier, heartbroken for her daughter, ceased pressuring her for blind dates, allowing Sumr tranquility.

...

Julian Hawthorne, in his office, called Paige Sterling, enticing her to the 38th floor with a baked sweet potato.

Unable to resist the sweet potato’s temptation, Paige ascended the elevator to the 38th floor, entering Julian’s office.

The sweet potato was baked in an oven within his office by Julian himself. Upon realizing Paige’s fondness for sweet land potatoes, he installed a machine both at ho and office.

Once Paige entered, the sweet aroma of baked potatoes wafted throughout the office, sweet and alluring.

Julian beckoned, "Co over."

Paige noticed the sweet potato on his desk, walking towards it.