"According to this phone, the timestamp on the message is 3:17 PM," Avery says, "At that time, Janetta was in this very room sewing the dress she tore."

Evan's pupils suddenly dilate.

"Did Janetta tear the dress?" he wonders, "If that's true, Avery didn't give it away—she just gave it to her sister to mend it."

With this thought, a ripple of happiness spreads from his heart through his body. He wants to hug and kiss Avery.

"Vanessa was applying a facial mask in her room. I was in the living room and Gabrielle was making a smoothie in the kitchen," Avery continues, "We all had witnesses who saw us. But where were you, Kathrine?"

A bead of sweat appears on Katherine's forehead and runs down to the tip of her nose. She doesn't know how she can explain her way out of this—she never expected Avery to be so smart.

Evan keeps his eyes locked on Avery like a snake under the spell of a charmer. He can't believe her pull is so magnetic.

"Sir, he's here," Robert announces.

A bodyguard enters the room dragging a man by his collar. Evan looks away from Avery, and his face takes on its normal cold and harsh expression.

"Beat him until he tells the truth," Evan commands.

The man is so frightened that he kneels on the floor. He gives Kathrine an anxious look. She ignores him and places her hand on the arm of the sofa, revealing enlarged blue veins on the back of her hand.

"No, I'll tell you everything," says, covering his head protectively with his hands, "I work for Light Times."

Avery almost gasps with amazement. She can't believe that Evan found the journalist colluding with Katherine so quickly.

"Mrs. Peters sent me those photos," the man says, "I don't know anything else."

"Nonsense! You're making baseless accusations," Katherine hisses.

Kathrine struggles to her feet, clutching her pregnant belly. The stress and exertion upset the baby, and it kicks her powerfully. She sinks weakly back down onto the sofa.

"We have a witness and hard evidence here, Katherine," Avery says coldly, "It seems that you're the one who has been making false accusations. Father, our family gave up a lot to throw this party, and we invited important people, but their actions spoiled the party and humiliated the family. I don't know what game they're playing. Has Katherine forgotten that she's a Peters too?"

Katherine points a shaky finger at Avery and moves her mouth as if to speak, but she finds herself too weak and tired to continue. She lowers her hand and rubs her belly.

"Katherine, you're a pregnant lady," Avery says, "Be careful, we don't want anything to happen to the baby. If I were you, I'd focus on that. If it's a boy, you know what joy and happiness that would bring to this family, though of course, it's not up to you what you'll get. Luck favors the kind. After all this, do you think luck still favors you, Katherine?"

"Avery, she's your stepmother," Anthony reproaches her, "Show her some respect."

"Sorry, I can't help it," Avery says insincerely.

She turns and looks at Evan.

"Is this proof enough for you?" she asks, "Can you send your men to retrieve Gabrielle now?"

Evan nods at Robert and the butler gives instructions to the bodyguards. Avery feels relief, but she knows that her ordeal isn't over. She's helped Gabrielle, but she still has to settle the score with the rest of her family.

"If I remember correctly Katherine said that the person responsible for this betrayal should be disinherited from the family and banished from our home."

Katherine clutches her belly and makes a pained expression.

"Oh no, my baby!" she moans.

"Call an ambulance," Anthony commands.

"What's the hurry?" Avery asks, looking down at Katherine, "She's not bleeding, is she? Besides, there may be an alternative if she doesn't want to break off with our family."

Though Katherine's face is distorted, she stops her howling long enough to listen to Avery.

"Evan said that you could all swimming in the estuary," Avery says with a smirk.

"Avery, can't you let it go?" Anthony shouts, "She's pregnant for Pete's sake. Can't you leave her alone? If you can't do it for her sake, can you do it for me?"

"When was she ever willing to leave me alone, hmm?" Avery asks.

"What do you want?" Anthony asks.

"Kathrine is pregnant so she is unfit for that kind of punishment," Avery says, walking towards Janetta, "But she's not the only one responsible."

Janetta feels chills run down her spine.

"When did Avery become so cold-blooded and ruthless?" Janetta wonders.

"Avery, I was just curious about the file," Janetta whimpers, "I didn't mean to send pictures to anyone."

"Why are you so upset?" Avery asks, staring pitilessly at Janetta, "If you're willing to take Katherine's place, then she doesn't have to suffer. You should be happy to protect her in this way."

"No! I won't do it!" Janetta insists, shaking her head violently back and forth, "She can do it herself for all I care. I won't take the fall for her!"

"She's your mother," Avery says.

"So what?" Janetta snaps, "Why doesn't she take my place instead?"

"Family in need is family indeed," Avery says ironically, "How do you feel, Kathrine?"

"Avery, don't you try to drive a wedge between us," Janetta says.

"Oh, that's rich coming from you," Avery says lightly.

Throughout their childhood and adolescence, Janetta always tried to drive wedges between family members, and she was always the one to stir things up in the Peters' house. Once she even locked Avery in a storeroom and told Anthony Avery had skipped curfew to spend time with boys. She frequently robbed Avery's allowance and made all kinds of accusations about her to their father. It's due to Janetta that Anthony has such an aversion to Avery. Avery's eyes sharpen as she recalls the past.

"Now it's time for you to make a decision," Avery says, "Do you want to leave our house or swim in the estuary?"

"I'm not leaving here," Janetta says defiantly, "You're already married, and you have no business meddling with this family or asking me to leave."

Evan looks coldly at Janetta and she seems frozen by the force of his anger. "Take her out and throw her in the estuary," Evan orders cruelly.

Two guards seize Janetta's arms and begin to drag her from the room

"Wait!" Janetta screams desperately, "Evan, I have something to show you. It's about Avery."

Evan turns around, and his expression is sublimely horrifying, "Bring it here."