CHAPTER 482: CHAPTER 482: PUBLIC OPINION ATTACK

Rhonda Sullivan took out all her anger from earlier on Cece, berating and kicking her.

Cece was knocked to the ground at the start, unable to defend herself or even escape. Luckily, Mrs. Jewel, who was cleaning inside, heard the commotion outside and rushed out to pull Rhonda away, protecting Cece.

Cece’s head was stomped on several times, and the sole of a shoe had scraped open her forehead. In just a few minutes, she was beaten beyond recognition. If it weren’t for Mrs. Jewel, she might have suspected she would be beaten to death.

She crawled up with difficulty, looking at Rhonda with eyes full of fear, trembling slightly.

"What are you looking at? You ungrateful wretch. Do you think Ethan Sterling is handsome? Just because he said a few polite words to you, you feel elated? You shameless bitch, I’m going to call my lawyer right now. They came here to steal from me, and you’re an accomplice!"

She said this while taking out her phone to call her lawyer and walked inside.

Mrs. Jewel was terrified, looking at the dazed Cece with concern, "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to see a doctor?"

Cece shook her head, feeling a bit wronged, biting her lip to suppress her urge to cry.

She was born in a small place where boys were favored over girls and was often beaten since childhood. Anytime there was a conflict with her brother, her grandmother would whip her, scolding harshly, as if intending to beat her to death.

But since she left home, no one had beaten her in a long time.

She sighed and couldn’t help asking Mrs. Jewel, "Auntie, do you think people like us have to live without dignity all our lives?"

"Of course not! Girl, don’t overthink it. You’re still young,

a lot of good days lie ahead. Once you get into college, you won’t have to suffer like this anymore."

Cece wasn’t sure if what Mrs. Jewel said was true,

but she wasn’t particularly encouraged. Even if she got into an adult education college, so what? Many graduates of prestigious universities still struggle to find good jobs.

"Auntie, I’m fine. You should go back inside. I’m afraid if she sees me now, she’ll get angry and hit me again."

Mrs. Jewel nodded, "Yes, it’s best to avoid her for now. I heard she had been treated for mental illness and stayed in a hospital for a long time. If she has an episode and hurts you, it would be for nothing."

"Hmm, you also be careful."

"Yes, I’ll be careful too," Mrs. Jewel said as she went back inside, looking a bit wary,

really afraid that not appearing would also irritate Rhonda Sullivan.

Seeing her leave, Cece turned around and went outside the villa courtyard to call Ruby Sullivan. She didn’t know if the call could help her, but she felt it might be a chance given by fate, one she should seize.

"Miss Sullivan, it’s Cece. Rhonda Sullivan just hit me."

About ten minutes later, Ethan Sterling drove back, reported to the police, and took Cece to the hospital for a medical examination. Soon, Rhonda Sullivan was taken to the police station.

But upon entering, she feigned fear and began crying, spewing nonsense, denying she had hit Cece, claiming she was slandering her, and showing her phone to the police, saying Cece was helping Ethan Sterling and Ruby Sullivan steal from the house and was accusing her to prevent her from reporting to the police.

When asked why she didn’t call the police first, she immediately said she had contacted her lawyer and intended to report it to the police, but was brought to the station first instead.

Cece said the family’s Mrs. Jewel could testify for her, but when Mrs. Jewel arrived at the station, she claimed she was cleaning inside and didn’t see or know anything.

Ultimately, the investigation ended due to a lack of evidence, with the police showing random sympathy toward Cece but unable to do anything.

As they left the station, Rhonda Sullivan appeared particularly smug, sneering at Ruby Sullivan and Cece, "Did you think you could find trouble for me this way? Aren’t you being naive? Don’t forget, I almost stabbed you to death back then, and what happened in the end? I was released without charges!"

With this, she laughed and swaggered away.

Ruby Sullivan found herself not angry at all. She smiled and comforted Cece by her side, "We’ll take you to the hospital for a full check-up later. Don’t worry, we’ll cover all the expenses. Today... let’s have you stay at a hotel."

Upon hearing about the hotel arrangement, Cece became anxious and knelt on the ground, "Mr. Sterling, Miss Sullivan, please, help me. I’m really scared Rhonda Sullivan will retaliate against me."

"I’ll arrange for you to stay at a hotel under The Sterling Group, ensuring your safety."

"But... what happens after this? I have no one to rely on in Ariston. You are influential people, and it’s too easy for you to make it impossible for me to survive here."

Ruby Sullivan and Ethan Sterling exchanged a glance, acknowledging Cece’s point, though her refusal to get up from the ground was somewhat uncomfortable.

Ethan Sterling frowned, "Are you hoping we can find you a new job?"

Cece hesitated, then nodded.

"Go to the hotel today. I will think about it," Ethan Sterling didn’t immediately agree.

"Alright, thank you, Mr. Sterling, thank you, Miss Sullivan." Only then did she get up from the ground.

Ethan Sterling looked a bit displeased, despite Ruby Sullivan’s request,

but did she not know to call her Mrs. Sterling in front of him? He didn’t want someone so clueless and unresourceful.

A few days later, Ruby Sullivan received a court summons at the company, and Ethan Sterling received the same, as expected a scheme by Rhonda Sullivan, who indeed accused them of theft.

However, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling didn’t take it seriously at all and directly handed it over to their lawyer to handle.

In the evening, major news platforms all broadcast headlines about Rhonda Sullivan, the entire narrative accusing her sister Ruby Sullivan of being unfilial.

It claimed that ever since Brandon Sullivan left The Sullivan Group to Rhonda, Ruby, who received nothing, declared she would sever ties with The Sullivan Family and hadn’t visited their aging father with dementia, which the household servants could attest to.

Moreover, to monitor their father’s situation, she allegedly planted a spy in the house, a girl named Cecilia Vance. When learning their father suddenly fainted and was critically ill, Cece immediately informed Mr. and Mrs. Sterling to ensure they were the ones seen by him on his deathbed, with intentions concerning the inheritance.

Rhonda Sullivan also emphasized that many might not believe her, but the fact that their father left all his estate to her proved she was the dutiful child in most people’s eyes.

Actually, the reason Brandon Sullivan’s will turned out this way is that Ruby Sullivan wasn’t present when it was changed, and Brandon felt she had her own company now, with support from Ethan Sterling, so there was no need to worry about her future. Additionally, Rhonda often

would recall her life in the orphanage during her episodes.

Gradually, Brandon Sullivan, becoming more confused, left all his estate to Rhonda.