Chapter 20
After ending the live stream, Pearl spent quite some time figuring out what had happened.
It turned out someone had leaked a photo of Jonah picking her up at the school gates, along with surveillance footage of her entering his house. Previously, online reports had painted Pearl as a poor orphan from a rural village. So, when people saw a “poverty–stricken student” associating with the CEO of a gaming company and entering a luxury neighborhood, it immediately sparked speculations.
Worse still, a sharp–eyed group of people quickly dug up that Jonah was the same man Cecelia had subtly shown off before as her mystery boyfriend. Just like that, Pearl was branded as a gold–digging homewrecker.
“I work at the hospital. I can confirm that it was Mr. Lawrence who personally stayed and took care of her during Ms. Shaw’s recent hospitalization.”
“No wonder Cecelia was threatening suicide on live streams not long ago. It was because a mistress got between her and her man!”
“I work at that hospital, too! I’m telling you. Pearl was also hospitalized during that same period–for miscarriage! If I’d known she was the mistress, I would’ve never donated blood for her!”
The Internet exploded with vitriol against Pearl, and Cecelia’s fans also joined in on their crusade.
“Our poor Cecelia. She believed in love dearly yet got hurt both times by the wrong man.”
“That bangle she showed off… It was clearly a gift from Mr. Lawrence!”
“Exactly! Someone dug up old photos showing that the bangle used to belong to Professor Lawrence’s wife. It’s clearly a family heirloom. Cecelia is the one who’s officially recognized by the Lawrence family!”
“How dare Pearl try to replace the real wife! Mistress, stay in your lane!”
“Good thing Mr. Lawrence came to his senses and kicked her out!”
Pearl read those comments from halfway across the globe. Her lips nearly bled from how hard she was biting them.
“Stop reading. These people just parrot what they see. None of them cares about the truth. They’re just venting their emotions,” Sean said as he snatched her phone away.
Seeing her trying so hard not to cry, he couldn’t help but gently pat her on the head. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Hearing Sean’s gentle voice, Pearl finally broke down in tears.
She hadn’t expected everyone in their base of operations to be standing behind Sean, looking at her with concern. Seeing her tears, they rushed to hand her tissues, scrambling over each other.
Lionel slowly walked up to her and said, “Pearl, we’re all on your side. We’re willing to go on camera and speak up for you.”
“That’s right, Dr. Hamilton. We’ve all heard bits about your past. You and Mr. Lawrence were in a perfectly legitimate marriage. How can they twist it like this?”
Everyone was outraged on her behalf.
“We’ve worked with you for so long. We know what kind of person you are. We’re willing to go live and clear your name.”
Locking at their sincere expressions, Pearl slowly wiped away her tears.
She had never truly been alone. Now, she had so many people standing by her side.
“Thank you… all of you…”
The team told her to rest while they handled the live stream themselves. But when they went live, the comments were still overwhelmingly hostile.
“Of course you’re defending her! You’re all in cahoots!”
“You expect us to believe some poor student married Mr. Lawrence? Get real!”
“Yeah, right! That family heirloom bangle is clearly with Cecelia. If Pearl is really the legitimate wife, then have her show the Lawrence family heirloom!
“1
A young team member, unable to take it anymore, cursed out loud, “You brain–dead morons! Can’t any of you tell right from wrong?”
However, in the next second, their account was banned by the platform moderators.
“I’m sorry, Pearl… I lost control and…” the young teammate mumbled, full of guilt.
“It’s okay…” Pearl smiled instead.
Having a team that stood with her unconditionally, sharing the same dreams and working side by side, was more than enough for her. As for the gossip back in Ethria, it suddenly seemed so insignificant.
She said lightly, “It doesn’t matter. No one here in Nyora knows who I am. They still just call me ‘Doctor‘… It’s just a shame the team’s plan to use live streaming for donations might be jeopardized because of me.”
“It’s alright. Those live streams only worked because of your popularity anyway.”
Chapter 20
2/2
Seeing her smile again, the others were finally able to relax–except for Sean, who still wore a deep frown.
“Dr. Hamilton, the way those people attacked us… It’s like they’re not even listening. I think someone’s manipulating the public on purpose. Do you have any idea who might be behind this?”
Jonah’s name immediately popped up in Pearl’s mind.
If anyone in the country had the means to secretly take those photos, the power to manipulate public opinion, and the motivation to ruin her name to protect Cecelia…
It could only be Jonah.
A bitter smile crept across Pearl’s lips.
