Chapter 29
“The professor is footing the bill tonight to welcome our new colleague!” Justin announced as he passed menus around with a beaming smile.
“Wow, the professor must be thrilled to have Audrey join us! He’s being so generous!” Azure Lane, another colleague, handed the menu to Audrey.
She urged, “Audrey, go ahead. Take advantage of the professor’s generosity! He’s not usually so generous!”
“Let’s order the surf and turf platter. Audrey can’t have anything too spicy because of her injury,”
Azure advised as she studied the menu.
The restaurant buzzed with lively chatter, filled with mouth–watering aromas and bustling waiters. As customers entered, they were greeted with a hearty, “Welcome!” in fluent Cloudmillese.
Amidst constant laughter, Audrey’s colleagues told her amusing tales of how Professor Diego had been scouting talents over the years.
Surrounded by the lively, everyday bustle, warmth began to fill Audrey’s eyes.
As Audrey and her colleagues were enjoying the lively dinner, the “Looking for Family” episode aired on satellite TV and major online platforms at 8:00 pm.
The episode played on the television in the restaurant.
The number of viewers on the online platforms rose continuously.
Audrey’s colleagues glanced up at the TV as they ate.
When Anne stepped forward to reveal that Adam’s mother was trafficked, the people in the restaurant gasped in shock.
“My God, his mother was trafficked!” Azure exclaimed in surprise.
She frowned, “If she was trafficked, of course she had to run! That old lady was saying she was nice to her daughter–in–law, who left because she despised poverty. But is being trafficked the same as despising poverty?”
Even Justin couldn’t help but feel indignant, “If they knew his mother was trafficked, why go on the
show to look for her?”
Soon, the hashtag #ShouldAChildBornToATraffickedWomanSearchForTheirMother started trending.
Audrey ate quietly as her new colleagues were engrossed in the show.
On the show, Donna tearfully portrayed Audrey as a troublemaker, alleging she had failed to marry, had drugged someone due to a lack of male companionship, and was involved in a nude photo
scandal.
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Anne and Donna engaged in a heated argument, each adamantly asserting their own views on Audrey’s character. Anne insisted that Audrey was a good person.
#SheyseaUniversityDrugScandal rapidly gained traction and soared in popularity online.
‘Sheysea University?” Azure turned to Audrey, her eyes full of curiosity. She asked, “You’re from Shaysea University, aren’t you? Did something like that really happen there?”
Audrey nodded, responding honestly, “Yes, but it wasn’t an intentional drugging. Both individuals accidentally drank a spiked drink, and the photos were taken afterward.”
“Who posted the photos? Was it that guy?” Justin asked, furrowing his brow.
“Hmm…” Audrey mumbled, reaching for a napkin to wipe her mouth.
She was prepared for further questioning. She was ready to reveal she was the Audrey in question if they questioned her familiarity with the situation.
“Why would he do that?” Azure asked, puzzled. “Was it just to show off?”
“It’s because the boy had feelings for another girl. When his beloved heard about the incident, she
was planning to leave the country. So, he posted the photos at someone else’s advice,” Audrey explained.
When she talked about the incident, it no longer caused her the heartache it once did.
