Evelyn's pupils contracted sharply.

"How dare you spout such nonsense!"

Jason Evans sneered.

"What nonsense? Everyone in the outer sect knows you'd do anything to get into the inner sect."

"You crawled into my bed yourself in the middle of the night."

"I only took you in out of pity."

"Stop pretending to be virtuous now."

"What, you passed the preliminary round of the tournament and found a new patron, so you want to kick me to the curb?"

The disciples gathered around to collect supplies immediately crowded closer, whispering about Evelyn.

"I never expected Grace to be that kind of person…"

"She seemed so honest usually, to think she could do something like that."

"…"

John Evans rushed over, furious.

"Stop spreading lies! Grace isn't that kind of person at all!"

"It was Jason who kept pressuring and tempting her!"

"Grace would rather die than submit!"

"She hasn't been here for two months!"

Everyone paused, turning to look at Jason.

Jason scoffed.

"Why hasn't she come for two months?"

"Of course it's because she realized sleeping with me was useless!"

"If I had an inner sect slot, I would've used it for myself long ago!"

"This woman is delusional, thinking our Evans family can do whatever we want in the Cortez Sect?"

John's face turned livid with rage.

"Jason, stop slandering her!"

"It was you who kept pestering Grace!"

"When you couldn't have her, you made things difficult for her everywhere!"

"You even tattled to the elders, saying she was lazy and pretentious!"

"You're the reason she hasn't made any progress all these years!"

Jason looked at him with contempt.

"John, a mere collateral relative like you dares to order me around?"

"Don't you believe I can make your whole family unable to survive in New York with just one word?"

John sneered.

"You think I'm afraid of you?"

"You're not afraid. But what about your grandmother?"

John choked, unable to retort.

Jason turned to Evelyn, his tone flippant.

"But I'm sentimental."

"Since you've been with me, I'll look after you."

"Meet me at the usual place tonight."

"Otherwise, I'll report you for being absent without reason for two months!"

"According to sect rules, you'll be automatically expelled!"

Evelyn let out a cold laugh.

John was boiling with anger.

"She didn't report in because you forced her to!"

"Jason, you're going too far!"

Jason was smug.

"The sect rules are clear!"

"Outer disciples who don't report for a month are automatically expelled!"

"I'm just following the rules!"

Evelyn spoke slowly.

"Oh? Then whose word carries more weight?"

"The outer manager's? Or an inner elder's?"

Jason was taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

"Can you actually get an inner elder to speak for you?"

"Elder Xavier personally conducted my bone assessment yesterday."

"He gave me special permission to participate in the tournament."

"What, is your word more powerful than Elder Xavier's?"

Jason was stumped.

"You went for another bone assessment?"

"What could possibly come of it for you?!"

"None of your business."

Evelyn stepped closer, her gaze sharp as a blade.

"But you've slandered my virtue."

"Today, you must make this clear!"

She could ignore the rumors and gossip.

But she absolutely could not tolerate her sister's reputation being tarnished after death.

Grace was soft on the outside but strong within…

Evelyn's eyes were icy, making Jason's scalp tingle.

He had never seen this delicate woman appear so terrifying before.

He swallowed hard, putting on a brave front.

"Make what clear?"

"How you moaned beneath me?"

"Or how wantonly you screamed?"

Evelyn suddenly grabbed him by the collar.

Jason tried to break free.

But he found her seemingly slender arm was immovable, like an iron vise.

Evelyn stared fixedly at him.

"Clarify."

Cold sweat dripped down Jason's forehead.

He blustered.

"Grace! Attacking a superior is grounds for expulsion according to sect rules!"

"Even if Elder Xavier protects you, he won't be able to save you!"

Evelyn's eyes flashed sharply.

Yesterday, she had memorized the sect rules thoroughly.

Insubordination against a superior was indeed a major taboo.

But Grace's grievance could not be endured!

Her fingers suddenly tightened, viciously squeezing Jason's throat!

Jason immediately struggled to breathe.

His hands clawed desperately, but it was useless.

His eyes widened in terror, his face gradually turning purple.

Evelyn's voice was bone-chilling.

"Say it. What is the relationship between Grace and you?"

Jason struggled futilely.

The fear of imminent death swept through him.

Looking into Evelyn's murderous eyes, he had no doubt this woman would truly kill him!

He frantically beat the back of her hand…

Evelyn stared relentlessly.

She only loosened her grip slightly when Jason's tongue began to protrude.

"Cough… cough…"

Jason collapsed to the ground, tears and mucus streaming.

"You have to let go… so I can speak!"

Evelyn's face was like dark water.

Jason covered his neck and scrambled back.

"I'll say it! Grace didn't seduce me!"

"Nothing ever happened between us!"

Evelyn coldly shouted.

"Louder!"

Jason gritted his teeth, unwilling.

Evelyn stepped closer again.

He had no choice but to yell at the top of his lungs.

"Grace is innocent!"

"I have no connection with her!"

"Satisfied?!"

Only then did Evelyn take a step back.

Jason scrambled up, furious and humiliated.

"Grace! Insubordination against a superior!"

"I'm going to the Discipline Hall to demand justice!"

At the same time.

Elder Xavier stroked his beard.

He hesitated for a moment outside the Sect Leader's courtyard before finally knocking.

The Sect Leader was in decent spirits today.

Only his eyes were so swollen they were barely slits.

Seeing Elder Xavier, he asked.

"Old Xavier, what is it?"

Elder Xavier looked at his appearance, his mouth twitching.

Then he spoke.

"I encountered an extraordinary woman during the bone assessment yesterday."

"She quite resembles the First Senior Sister you once mentioned."

"I came specifically to seek your guidance."