Chapter 5

Gabriella's POV

Alexandra arranged for me to issue a public apology on a live broadcast at the TV station.

After signing the non-disclosure agreement, I stood in front of more than a dozen cameras and numbly read the script.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Gabriella Bennett. Regarding the controversy I recently caused online, I would like to sincerely apologize to Ms. Alexandra Rowland and Mr. William Harrington. I fabricated the chat logs just to gain attention. Mr. Harrington and I are nothing more than former classmates."

The viewer count spiked, and netizens flooded the comment section with insults, telling me to get out of Frostmere.

By the time I came back to my senses, the wave of hatred had already torn through me.

After the broadcast ended, Alexandra pulled out several stacks of bills and tossed them onto the floor without a second glance. The green bills drifted down like falling snow.

"They slipped right out of my hands. Please pick them up yourself," she said.

"Alexandra, you've gone too far!" I snapped.

I was about to lunge forward when a bodyguard grabbed me and held me in place. He kicked me in the knee, and I fell to the ground in pain. As I struggled, my head was forced down against the floor.

I was forced to kneel and apologize to Alexandra in front of everyone. Laughter erupted as the cameras focused on me again, each laugh cutting deeper.

Alexandra grabbed my hair and gave a mocking smile. "Gabriella, take the money and get out of Frostmere. Don't ever think about challenging me."

She turned away and called William, her voice turning soft and playful. "Darling, I've taken care of everything. You'd better say something nice to me!"

William's voice was as warm and indulgent as ever. "You've worked hard, Lexi."

I stayed on my knees, picking up the bills one by one. This money was meant for Dad's surgery.

After the crowd dispersed, a pair of black leather shoes appeared before me. "Gabriella, are you really that desperate for money that you're willing to kneel on the ground and pick it up?"

William grabbed my wrist and dragged me all the way downstairs. Then he shoved a bank card into my hand. "If you need money, come to me. Don't degrade yourself like this."

Afterward, William drove me home himself. Pleased with how I had handled the apology, he softened his tone considerably.

"Gaby, I bought you a house with a river view. Move in tomorrow. Once things die down, I'll get you set up at the company. We won't have to be apart anymore," he said.

I said nothing and quietly counted the bills in my hands.

As I got out of the car, William suddenly pulled me into his arms. He pressed his lips to my forehead, his eyes filled with pity.

He said, "Gaby, you've suffered during these seven years. I promise I'll give you anything you want from now on. Lexi went a bit too far today. She has a bad temper, so please bear with her."

…

Two hours later, I dragged my suitcase to the airport.

At that moment, a news alert popped up on my phone. It reported that William and Alexandra had attended a charity gala together and were being praised as the picture-perfect couple of high society. Meanwhile, I was still the homewrecker that everyone on the internet despised.

Just before boarding, William sent me the address of the place he had arranged for me.

Without hesitation, I replied, "William, let's break up."

After sending that, I blocked him. There were no extra questions or hysterical accusations. I ended this seven-year-long fraud just like that.

As the plane took off, I turned to look at the city lights outside the window. This city would never feel like my destination again.