Chapter 191 Crisis Of Trust 

Trent stayed silent; in this moment, he knew perfectly well she was lying. 

Back in the livestream, Sidonie’s reaction hadn’t been about pleasing anyone. It had sounded as if she’d slipped up, let the truth tumble out, and once her psychological defenses crumbled, the rest had followed. 

Seeing Trent hesitate, Sidonie’s face turned an even paler shade. “You don’t believe me?” 

“Sidonie, even if you did make a mistake–even if you truly failed to help–I’m in no position to condemn you. I’ll stand by you.” Trent pressed his lips together, stepped forward, and clasped her hand as though sealing a vow. 

Yes, he would help her. After all, she had once saved his life, and he had sworn to protect her in return. 

Sidonie shoved him away with sudden force. “You don’t believe me at all! Trent, I thought even if the whole world turned its back on me, you would still have faith. But now, even you doubt me!” 

Trent’s smile was bitter. Believe her? How? 

“Even if I do, will anyone else? You saw it yourself–half the internet watched that stream.” 

Sidonie’s knuckles whitened around the blanket draped over her. Stubbornly, she said, “It doesn’t matter if they believe me–I only need you to.” 

The crisis had spiraled so far that losing Trent was simply not an option. 

He was her strongest, perhaps her last, bargaining chip. 

Lifting her chin, Sidonie fixed her gaze on him. “Trent, if you don’t believe me, feel free to break up O with me. Pretend we were never together. Whatever happens to me afterward is none of your concern. Even if the whole world spits on me, I won’t come begging you for help.” 

The moment the words left her mouth, she saw exactly what she wanted in Trent’s eyes–guilt. 

As expected, retreating in order to advance worked. 

“I’m sorry, Sidonie,” Trent murmured. “I spoke out of turn. I believe you.” 

Whatever the real story, they were already together, and he owed her his life. 

Only then did Sidonie’s smile return. “I knew I chose the right person. As long as you believe me, Trent, I can face whatever comes.” 

Trent managed a strained smile, but anxiety churned in his chest. 

The challenges awaiting Sidonie were bound to be far heavier than she imagined. 

And he could he truly stay at her side and face them all? 

The memory of that tidal wave of online abuse suddenly made him less certain. 

That night, Quinn sat curled on the couch, scrolling through her phone. 

Sidonie’s kidnapping saga still dominated the trending lists. The Fire Commission and Stridora–where she had been hailed as “Firefighting Hero” after the massive border wildfire five years earlier–had both 

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issued statements promising inquiries. 

Nimbus Air announced that Sidonie was presently suspended; whether she would ever return as a co–pilot would depend on the investigation’s outcome. 

Everyone understood that decision hinged on whatever the Fire Commission and Stridora uncovered. 

Meanwhile, someone had uploaded footage from today’s talk–show taping. 

The shaky video, evidently shot from the audience, captured Sidonie and Trent publicly declaring themselves engaged, then showed Sidonie claiming she had flown a rescue mission, only to be confronted on–stage by other rescue workers who revealed she never even reached the disaster site. 

Once online, the clip unleashed another torrent of fury at Sidonie. Some commenters even predicted Grafton Technologies‘ stock would nosedive at tomorrow’s opening bell. 

“Quinn, it’s late–why aren’t you in bed?” A strong arm slipped around Quinn’s waist; an instant later, her back sank against a broad, warm chest. 

Julius rested his cheek against hers, nuzzling softly, his breath stirring her hair in intimate little sweeps. 

The phrase “cheek by jowl” flickered through Quinn’s mind. 

She opened her mouth to speak, but her phone suddenly rang, the screen flipping to an incoming call. 

The caller ID read: Harlan. 

Quinn had just lifted her finger to accept when Julius clasped her hand. “Don’t answer,” he murmured, his husky voice brushing her ear. 

She laughed under her breath. “Quit it,” she said, tapping the button anyway and lifting the phone to her 

ear. 

“Quinnie.” Harlan’s voice rang. 

“Mm? What is it?” Quinn answered, feeling Julius’s arms around her waist tighten ever so slightly. 

“Are you really seeing Julius?” Harlan blurted without any preamble. 

Quinn instantly understood. Earlier today, someone in the audience had secretly recorded the talk–show taping and posted the clips online. Besides the moment when Sidonie publicly announced her 

engagement to Trent, there was also the shot of Quinn being asked by the host about her relationship with Julius. 

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