Chapter 65
He quickly tucked his phone behind his back, feeling a cold sweat trickle down his spine. “Well, I won’t bother you any longer. With those words, Simon hastily made his exit, sliding into an inconspicuous spot before lifting his phone before his face again.
The chat was still a hot mess, with an overwhelming number of people bashing Brielle. It was as if a mob had suddenly stormed in with a vendetta-and for no apparent reason, since Brielle wasn’t even a celebrity.
On the other side of the screen, Lillian was glued to the live broadcast on her phone, her fingers deftly dialing another number. She couldn’t afford to let Brielle’s reputation flip Over the years, Lillian had nurtured a relationship with a professional online brigade Whether it was the forums at Beaconsfield College, Dorsey International, or elsewhere, she had her minions entrenched, constantly churning out negative press about Brielle
The strategy had proven effective.
There’s truth in the old saying: “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” When all the chatter about someone was negative, people started to take it as gospel.
Green with envy, Lillian stared at her phone screen, puzzled as to how Brielle had the gall to show up at such a high-profile event. Even Spencer hadn’t snagged an invite. What gave Brielle the right?
Mad with jealousy, she kept funneling money to her online army, urging them to amplify the slander against Brielle. As expected, the negative comments multiplied, quickly drowning out any positive ones. Soon enough, the comment section turned into a digital witch-hunt aimed at Brielle.
Lillian finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw no one was left defending Brielle. then shot a message to Emily.
[Hey Em, have you been overseas lately?]
[Nope, what’s up?]
[Someone from the Hatfield clan must have attended the auction. I spotted Brielle there and it’s bugging me. I asked Spencer, and he didn’t receive an invite either. It’s all very odd, so I thought I’d check with you]
Emily quickly pulled up the news. The auction had been live-streamed by international media, but by now, it had wrapped up.
Brielle at the auction? Impossible!
Thinking of Brielle’s notorious personal life, Emily’s face twisted in disgust. There were plenty of North American playboys who knew how to party, and she must have caught someone’s eye, that shameless thing.
Lillian felt a twinge of unease reading Emily’s message. Simon’s live broadcast had been brief, but Max had made an appearance. Considering Brielle’s recent promotion, could it be that she had traveled overseas with Max?
Jealousy nearly consumed her at the thought of Brielle being in the same room as Max. The thought was like a wildfire, burning through her composure. Her chest heaved with a mix of anger and exasperation as she mulled over the nature of Max and Brielle’s relationship.
Max admiring Brielle? As if! Brielle was a bookworm had a pretty face but no clue how to use it, so dull and stiff. Even Spencer wouldn’t give the time of day to such a woman-Max certainly wouldn’t be impressed.
She took several deep breaths, too worked up to even think about food. Adjusting her neckline to reveal just a bit more, she stormed out of her apartment and headed downstairs.
Tonight, she was visiting the Haywood residence. Cameron had come home when he heard she was stopping by. At this moment, there were only the two of them in the hall. Miranda and Robert had been scolded by Faith, and they came over to apologize.
The engagement between their families had been a decade-long affair, with their businesses intertwined at every level.
If the engagement were to be broken off, and Ryan took all his clients with him, the Haywood family would find themselves in a very awkward position.
Lillian couldn’t care less about that. As long as she could land Spencer, she’d be stepping through the doors of the Dorsey family.
Brielle, that lousy woman, belonged in the gutter.
