Otis turned and looked through the car window. A trace of disdain flickered in his gaze as he watched Zane and Annalise chat happily inside.


    He wanted to see if the two of them could stillugh like thatter.


    A flood of posts suddenly appeared online. The general headline was, "Do you know about Zane''s girlfriend''s dark past?"


    The mere mention of a "dark past" was enough to draw a crowd, with curious readers piling in to ask what had happened.


    Theizens who started the topic quickly began fabricating rumors without restraint. They imed that Annalise used to bully ssmates in school, disrespect teachers, and more.


    Sasha was hunched over her desk, focused on work. It wasn''t until a friend sent her a message that she noticed the posts spreading across the inte.


    She rolled her eyes. If Annalise had really done the things they were saying, wouldn''t people have exposed it years ago, back when Steven became sessful? Why would they wait until now?


    These people weren''t even trying to make their lies believable.


    Sasha scoffed and went right back to work.


    ...


    Once Otis left, Zane finally turned to me and asked, "Do you think he''ll back off now that he knows we''re married?"


    "Definitely not." I had been dealing with Otis ever since Portia divorced him years ago. At this point, I knew him like the back of my hand.


    "He''ll keep stirring up trouble, but don''t worry. I''m in control."


    If anyone else had said that, Zane might have had his doubts.


    For some reason, he trusted me without question. He chuckled. "All right."


    After lunch, we headed back to the office. Eric was already waiting by the door. The moment he saw me, he said, "There''s been a surge of online rumors iming that you bullied a girl in school and forced her


    to drop out. It''s causing a


    a stir


    and seriously damaging your reputation."


    "That''s all lies." I knew without a doubt that this was Otis'' doing. I couldn''t help but


    scoff at his pathetic means.


    "Ignore it. The truth will surface sooner orter, and this nonsense will be disapproved of on its own."


    Eric hesitated before saying, "But someone is clearly paying to boost the news. It''s trending everywhere. People are dragging your name through the mud. Some are even boycotting your work."


    At that moment, I felt an unexpected sense of relief. It was a good thing I had multiple ie streams.


    If I had just started making money and Otis cut off one of my sources, I''d be plotting revenge immediately and ensuring he lost far more than I ever could.


    Eric pressed on. "So we''re really not responding?"


    I remained calm. "No. We handle this the same way we always have. The more people hate us now, the more they will love us when the truthes out."


    "So..." I met Eric''s gaze and continued, "There''s no need to rush. As long as we''ve done nothing wrong, their attempts to bring us down will only end up strengthening us."


    Eric had been visibly anxious, but after seeing my conviction, he suddenly felt reassured. "Understood. I''ll proceed as you said."


    "Good."


    With that, he nodded and left.


    I leaned back on the couch, closing my eyes to rest.


    Just then, Zane broke the silence. "You really predicted all of this?"


    I stretchedzily and replied, "Of course. And if I''m not mistaken, the so-called victim'' they im I bullied should be making her appearance soon. Keep an eye out when you have time. It should be quite the performance."