Marcia began to read. "Hello, this is Justus Sterling. My family, including my grandmother, has been living abroad for many years and only recently returned to The Capital. To avoid any misunderstanding, I would like to clarify that the Sterling family has had no association with the Gonzales family for decades. Since her return, my grandmother has lived a reclusive life and has not been in contact with Keira Gonzales for over twenty years. They are, for all intents and purposes, strangers."

The words struck Keira like a physical blow, and her brief moment of hope shattered. She had thought Suzanne would be the one exception. But in the face of self-interest, friendship meant nothing.

"Strangers, are we?" Keira murmured, a hollow laugh escaping her lips. "Fine. Perhaps it's for the best."

**Meanwhile, in Neon Spire**

The Richards family had been monitoring the situation in The Capital. Upon seeing the vicious attacks on their niece, all eight of her uncles immediately activated their public accounts to voice their support.

**Perpetual Estates Warren Richards:** [This is Warren. I will always trust my niece, Freya!]

**Starlight Entertainment. Willis Richards:** [Willis here. I will also always trust my niece, Freya!]

**Yami Mobile Lyle Richards:** [Lyle Richards. I will also always trust my niece, Freya!]

**Ethereal Media Theodore Richards:** [Theodore. I will also always trust my niece, Freya!]

**Harbor Electric Justin Richards:** [...]

**DMT Founder. Zachary Richards:** [...]

**Meridian Hugo Richards:** [...]

**Cosmic Living Frederick Richards:** [...]

Each of the eight Richards brothers was a titan in his respective industry. Their collective show of force was staggering. But they weren't alone. From Silverhaven, the Hayes Group also weighed in.

**Hayes Group · Alex Hillcrest:** [We will always support and believe in Miss Gonzales!]

** *Apex Game Studios. Victor

**Miss Gonzales is a

goddess to all of us at Apex Game Studios.

Even Fortune Kensington created a Twitter account just for the occasion.

**Elite Property Management Group Fortune Kensington:** [Go, Freya!]

**Acclaimed Painter Irene Chatham:** [I will always support and believe in Miss Gonzales!]

**Cumming Group Skyler Cumming:** [We will always support and believe in Miss Gonzales!]

**Sylvester Group Gordon Sylvester:** [We will always support and believe in Miss Gonzales!]

The internet was in shock.

[I get the Richardses supporting Gonzales

Holdings. They're t

But the Hayes Group? Apex Game Studios? What's going on? .net>

Both were undisputed leaders in their fields.

[Irene? As in, Academician Chatham? What's her connection to Freya?]

[My God! Who is this Caitlin Gonzales? How does she know so many powerful people?]

[The Cumming Group? Am I seeing things? Are we sure their accounts haven't been hacked?]

[HOLY S***! IS THAT MASTER NINTH FROM THE SYLVESTER GROUP?!]

[Doesn't

public dster Ninth stay out of

Venet

public drama? Why would he come

out to support Ca Gonzales

Gontent