Veronica had not expected that answer from the director bof /bHeberly, She had imagined bevery /bscenario, even the worst conspiracy theories. However, the truth turned out to be tant favoritism,id bare and undisguised.

    After a long pause, Veronica finally spoke. “Thank you.‘

    Even if it were all just for show, she would ept it. Before hanging up, she made a promise.” I won’t let Heberly down.”

    On the other end of the line, the Herberly director smiled faintly as he ended the speakerphone call. He turned toward the man seated at the head of the table.

    “Mr. Fletcher, Ms. Dolton’s emotions are stable for now. You can rest assured.”

    The man’s half–lidded gray eyes opened slightly. “Good. I want you to personally oversee her project.”

    “Understood.”

    The interview with Heberly was scheduled for three dayster. The Novaro team had already sent over a liaison to review the questions that would be asked during the session with

    Veronica.

    Veronica began preparing her answers in advance and drafted a script. Both parties went through the flow ording to n beforehand.

    With Heberly backing the coboration, online public opinion quickly shifted.

    Veronica approached this project withplete dedication. She had also made up her mind. After work, she would return to the Tate residence and retrieve her copy of the marriage

    certificate.

    That document would serve as the sharpest weapon if the need ever arose. It could prove her rtionship with Heath beyond all doubt.

    At the next desk, Felicia had been in unusually high spirits all day. She spent most of her time hovering around Veronica, reciting thetestments left by fence–sitters in the online

    “Eleanor’s fans are still trying to do damage control! They pinned everything on the paparazzi, saying it had nothing to do with her and Heath. If Courtney hadn’t told us not to, I swear I would destroy them all online!”

    Veronica could not help butugh. “You have suffered, Felicia. Trust me. It will be over soon.”

    “No way! I’m having a great time watching the drama unfold. Ugh! That loudmouth is at it

    bagain/bb!/bb” /bbFelicia’s /bsmile vanished babruptly/b, and bshe /bbcould /bbno /bblonger /bsit still,

    “What is it?b” /bVeronica asked, looking bup/bb. /bHer eyesnded on Felicia’s screenb, /bwhere bRenee /bbhad /bbjust /bposted an Instagram story.

    The caption read, b“/bHonored to be there in person Designers who only thrive on drama bshould /bbstop /bchasing clout already. Mr. Tate only invited her to his residence to be a bnanny/b. But she bgot /bgreedy and wanted too much! I have had enough I’ll take responsibility for every word I have said!”

    After the tense morning meeting, Renee had left thepany on a sudden leave of absence. No one expected her to post something so overtly targeted on her ount.

    That vague im of “wanting too much” clearly referred to the alleged five million dors Veronica had demanded from Heath each month. But to outsiders unaware of the contextb, /bit sounded more like she was trying to im the title of Heath’s wife.

    Veronica’s gaze turned icy.

    Renee had always tailored her online image as a fashion–forward designer and had nearly b200 /bthousand followers. Unsurprisingly, herment section was already filled with loyal fans eager to defend her.

    Nightnight99 “Finally, someone with morals. So stunning, yet so kind. I knew that Dolton bitch could not be trusted. Even her coworkers had called her out. What excuse could she possiblye up with now?”

    MintyCandy: “That tramp is trash. She’s so fake that even people who have no issue with her can no longer tolerate it. Isn’t she tired of the act? Stop leeching off our queen and her bae!”

    PhoenixUnite: “Heberly is going to lose all its credibility because of designers like her. I’m going to puke.”

    Louis616: “Just because someone saw something with their eyes doesn’t mean it wasn’t fabricated. People are often used as pawns. Could the fans think for once? Just wait until the truth flips again, then everyone will be scrambling to clean up her mess. Oh, it’s the paparazzi’s fault again. Don’t make meugh.”

    Veronica read all of it in silence. She took screenshots of every page as she went, keeping a record of everything.

    Chapter b64 /b