11:51 pm DXX. 

Chapter 426 Hell Gate Opens 

Chapter 426 Hell Gate Opens 

Maria remained mute. 

She truly did not expect Alice to say it out loud. 

Worse still, at that moment, every camera and microphone from the media was pointed at her. 

She dared not say a single word. 

“Why aren’t you talking?” Alice asked again. “You don’t feel like talking about it?” 

Alice paused, then smiled lightly. 

+20 Free Coins 

“Oh, right. You probably only like to write. Why don’t you open your account right now and write something? You wouldn’t refuse, would you? Everyone is waiting.” 

Maria still said nothing. 

She had investigated Alice. 

She knew Alice was calm and direct, the kind of person who never spoke in circles. 

But this act–playing dumb with such precision was flawless. 

Every sentence hit the weak spot. Each word pushed people closer to losing control. 

The crowd began to whisper. “She’s not responding. Does that mean she really has another motive?” 

“No matter what, she’s still Alice’s mother, right? Is she really trying to ruin her daughter?” 

“I always thought parents protect their children. Today really opened my eyes.” 

“Didn’t you read the news? Plenty of people trade their kids away for status.” 

“Yeah, guess I was naïve.” 

“A mother like that is worse than having 

none.” 

“No wonder Linda came begging Alice to accept the family. Looks like Mrs. Spencer went too far and broke her heart.” 

“Yeah, sounds about right. It’s sad.” 

“Poor Alice.” 

“My heart hurts for Alice.” 

Maria took a deep breath. The cold in her eyes almost slipped through. 

“Alice,” she said slowly, “about the post, I don’t think I said anything wrong. We just have different views on how to select talent. My 

conscience is clear.” 

The moment her words fell, a young man suddenly rushed out from the crowd. 

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11:51 pm XD XX 

Chapter 426 Hell Gate Opens 

“How dare you say you have a clear conscience?” he shouted. 

+20 Free Coins 

“You used my acceptance into the club to threaten my mom! You forced her to work with you! She paid you the money, and then you turned around and reported her! My mom is in prison now. Are you happy? I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you!” 

The young man was almost hysterical. His eyes were bloodshot. It was Orson. The same student had been encouraged by Maria and believed his future was bright. 

Back then, he truly thought he was standing at the peak of his life. 

Even after the re–selection, he believed that as long as his family could attach themselves to the Spencers and the Nolans, the future would still be golden. 

Only now did he finally understand. 

They were never offering him a path forward. 

They were dragging his whole family into ruin. 

What did they do wrong? 

They only wanted to climb higher. 

Did that mean they deserved to pay with their lives? 

He had watched the police take his mother away. 

The handcuffs closed around her thin wrists. In that moment, the light in her eyes went out. 

As if someone had grabbed her by the throat, she didn’t say a single word. 

She only looked at him and cried. 

As her son, how could he do nothing? 

Since the whole family had been destroyed, his life no longer mattered. 

If that was the case, he would drag the real culprit down with him. 

At least then, he would not have failed his family. 

At first, people thought he was just shouting out of anger. 

Then Orson pulled out a knife. 

The blade was sharp enough to pierce straight through flesh. 

The people who had been trying to stop him scattered at once. 

They were kind, not stupid. 

One wrong move and they could be injured or killed, with no compensation at all. 

Freed from restraint, Orson charged forward, fueled by hatred. 

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11:51 pm DXX. 

Chapter 426 Hell Gate Opens 

He rushed straight at Maria. The knife came down without hesitation. 

Maria tried to dodge. 

But she had believed, deep down, that he wouldn’t really attack. 

That brief moment of carelessness cost her everything. 

It was too late. She clearly heard the sound of the blade cutting skin. 

Then came the ripping sound of fabric. 

She screamed. 

Only then did she feel a burning pain at her earlobe. 

“Blood!” someone shouted. 

Maria froze, then slowly raised her hand to her ear. 

It was wet. 

Her heart trembled in fear. 

She slowly moved her fingers before her eyes. 

Blood dripped down, drop by drop. It was terrifying. 

“Murder!” someone screamed. 

The entire place exploded into panic. People ran toward the exits. 

People were scared that if they delayed even for a moment, they might be the next victim. 

Maria had bodyguards. 

But there were too many people. By the time they tried to force their way through, it was too late. 

Orson’s eyes burned with hatred. Like a monster ready to tear someone apart. 

“I’ll kill you,” he roared. “You’re going to hell with me!” 

Another stab followed. 

+20 Free Coins