LOGINLess than half an hour later, another "helpful netizen" dug up Angela's past scandals—how, years ago, she had interfered in Khloe and Trey's relationship, spreading rumors and slandering Khloe.These old grievances, combined with the new "evidence", instantly thrust Angela into the eye of a social media storm.Online attacks hit her like a tsunami. Her social media accounts were hacked; her inbox flooded with curses and insults; some even began doxxing her—posting her home address, phone number, and family information.Angela stared at her computer and phone screens, pale as paper, trembling all over at the hateful messages and ceaseless harassment. She hadn't expected Khloe's retaliation to be this brutal, this fast—not only forcing the media to grovel in apology but practically exposing every last shred of her past."Barney! Barney! Look! Khloe's gone crazy! She's attacking me online! Those chat records—they're fake! Forged!"Angela clutched Barney's arm, her voice sharp with de
[4. Our company has identified the original source of the rumor—"Goldmont City Financial Express"—and the individuals responsible, and has retained a legal team to initiate formal proceedings to hold them fully accountable under the law. No leniency will be granted.5. We reserve the right to take all legal measures against anyone spreading false information that disrupts our company's operations or compromises fair bidding for the Moonlight Bay project.]Once the announcement went public, and with Hunt Group's legal team swiftly sending cease-and-desist letters to "Goldmont City Financial Express" and several major reprint platforms, the media frenzy escalated almost instantly.In a hotel suite, Angela read the announcement and snorted dismissively."Debunking it? All they can do is issue statements. We gambled right—Khloe's panicking. If Nick could appear even for a moment, that would be the best PR move. Even a short video would do. Why would Khloe have to be there, struggling a
Clarice, however, understood Khloe's little game perfectly.Khloe was merely stalling—buying time, trying to confirm whether Nick was truly under her control.Clarice wasn't worried. She had all the time in the world to play this out slowly with Khloe. Besides, she was already at the gambling table; there was no turning back.Spence still hadn't sent any news about Nick. The probability was high—he was gone. After sustaining such severe injuries and disappearing in the wilderness, even with extraordinary skill, survival seemed impossible."Madam, he's here," the butler whispered as he hurried into the elegant parlor where Clarice was sampling her wine.Her eyes sharpened. She waved a hand, signaling for the man to be brought in.Soon, Ethan was escorted into the room.Clarice set down her glass. The butler understood immediately and led everyone else out.Ethan looked a mess. Days of cooperating with the police investigation had left him unshaven, his clothes unchanged. The onc
The next day at noon, a headline rocked the business world of Goldmont City.It claimed that Nick Hunt, CEO of the Hunt Group, had unexpectedly died. Within hours, control of the company was uncertain, its projects in limbo, and the stock had already tumbled several points in just one morning.Khloe received the news just as she was about to hold a meeting to address company matters. At the same time, her phone rang—Loretta was calling.Lenny, standing nearby, saw the color drain from her face as she stared at the screen. He immediately suggested, "Should I handle this…""No need."Khloe drew a deep breath, pushed open the office door, and forced herself inside.Outside, Lenny paced anxiously. How could this news have leaked? Nick's accident abroad had long been kept under wraps. And in Goldmont City, no one dared to challenge the Hunt family lightly—without solid proof, where could such a report have come from? Naturally, his thoughts first went to Michelle.Half an hour later,
"I didn't ignore your calls… it's just… my phone broke," Angela said."What happened? Did someone hurt you? Tell me, what's going on?"Barney's voice trembled with urgency. He lifted Angela's face in his hands, his eyes widening in disbelief at the bruises and swelling. Before she could respond, he pulled out his phone, ready to call the police."Stop… these injuries are my own doing," Angela pressed his hand down gently, finally telling him what had happened with Khloe.She explained that she had gone to the Hunt Group only to apologize and, while there, hoped to discreetly check on news about Nick for Solara Energy. Instead, Khloe had taken the opportunity for revenge—slapping her multiple times, humiliating her in front of the guards, and even having her phone smashed. To cope with the shame, Angela had stayed out late, intending to return only after Barney was asleep, not wanting him to worry."How could Khloe do something like this? No matter how much she hates you, she can't
Arista watched Khloe, knowing it was just an excuse.Nick's bedroom held the sweetest memories the two of them had shared. Khloe probably feared that seeing these familiar objects would make her think of him even more, keeping her awake through the night. Arista nodded and called the driver to take Khloe back.On the way home, Khloe gazed out the window. The night was quiet, streetlights sparse, their dappled glow casting a hazy filter over her face. She thought of the times she had returned home with Nick—always in a whirlwind, as if they wished to stretch every fleeting moment into a lifetime. Meeting, registering their marriage, even… saying goodbye.When the car stopped at a red light, another vehicle pulled up alongside.Through the window, Khloe glimpsed a familiar profile. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she thought it was a trick of her mind. But before she could react, the car swerved away."Follow that car!" Khloe immediately ordered the driver.The other
Ethan's tone was unusually soft as he spoke, patting HR lightly on the shoulder. She nearly went weak at the knees, barely able to stay standing.Why did it have to be her handling this mess? Truly, she'd drawn the short straw."I—I didn't mean anything by it, Mr. Morrison… Actually, I think this
Ethan couldn't swallow his frustration. Never in his life had he misjudged someone like this—especially only to be outplayed by a woman.Ethan tugged at his tie and strode toward the elevator, but halfway there, Khloe stepped directly into his path."Ethan, aren't we about to meet the partners? Wh
It seemed Ethan's judgment of Charlotte had been entirely off.He turned his gaze slightly, trying to study her expression. Charlotte lowered her head and nodded, calm and composed in a way that was rare for her."So… how long do you want? Could it be… you want to be my wife?" Ethan's voice drifte
Khloe felt her ears burn and gave Nick a gentle push. "Time to go."The forty-plus-minute drive seemed to pass in an instant.Along the way, Khloe instinctively leaned into Nick, hugging him tightly. She already felt a pang of reluctance. They would be apart for just one week, but it felt unbearab







