Chapter 190
This can’t be happening… Tabitha’s pulse roared in her ears as the truth crashed over her.
Frantic, she scrambled to erase the slanderous posts she’d crafted under the cover of darkness. But no matter how many times she smashed the delete button, the words remained—stubborn, indelible.
Then, like a guillotine dropping, a new notification flashed across her screen:
Isabella Sinclair has joined the conversation.
“Evidence secured. My legal team will be in touch shortly.”
The world tilted beneath Tabitha’s feet.
Out of all the possible outcomes, being cornered by Isabella herself was the one scenario she hadn’t prepared for.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard, desperation fueling every keystroke.
“Ms. Sinclair, there’s been a terrible mistake! The forum is malfunctioning—those posts aren’t mine! I don’t know why my username is attached!”
Isabella’s reply came swift and merciless.
“No need to panic. My lawyers will verify everything with the platform’s administrators. I’m sure they’ll trace the IP addresses and confirm the real culprit.”
Tabitha’s flimsy excuse shattered like glass.
Worse—the forum’s users turned on her like a pack of wolves.
“Nice try, Tabitha. The ID matches yours. I just checked my own posts—they’re linked to my real account too.”
“Pathetic. You really thought you could lie your way out of this?”
“Doesn’t matter what you say now. Like Ms. Sinclair said, the evidence will speak for itself.”
“Oh, and by the way—once this hits 2,000 views, that’s grounds for a defamation lawsuit. Enjoy prison, sweetheart.”
Each comment was another nail in her coffin, chipping away at her composure like acid eating through metal.
She had thought anonymity was her shield. That she could sling mud without consequence.
Now? Not only had Isabella uncovered her identity, but the post was gaining traction at a terrifying speed. Two thousand views was minutes away.
Sweat slicked her palms as she typed out an apology, her hands trembling.
“Ms. Sinclair, I’m so sorry. I—I don’t know what came over me. I was jealous. I made a horrible mistake. Please, please forgive me.”
The words tasted like ash—hollow, rehearsed. But what other choice did she have?
Beneath the groveling, fury burned.
How could I have been so stupid?
She should’ve hired someone else to do her dirty work. Or better yet, leaked the photos to a tabloid anonymously. Why had she been so reckless?
Before Isabella could respond, the forum’s users piled on, their mockery relentless.
“Glad I didn’t fall for this garbage. I’ve worked with Ms. Sinclair before—she’s nothing like what you described.”
“Too late for apologies now, Tabitha. Brace yourself for the lawsuit.”
Tabitha clenched her fists, rage boiling inside her.
But she had no choice. She had to beg.
A lawsuit would destroy her—financially, professionally, completely.
How had her safe haven, the forum where she’d gossiped without consequence for years, betrayed her like this?
She didn’t understand the technicalities, but one thing was clear: Isabella Sinclair did not forgive.
Isabella’s final reply was a death sentence.
“Everyone answers for their words eventually.”
Tabitha’s breath seized in her throat.
It was over.
Numb, she collapsed in front of her laptop, watching the flood of insults pour in. Her career. Her reputation. Everything she’d built—gone, in an instant.
She cursed herself for ever crossing that line.
If Isabella pursued legal action, Tabitha would be blacklisted from the entire industry.
Meanwhile, Isabella calmly handed the laptop back to Alexander.
“Thank you, Mr. Kingsley.”
“Everything alright?” Alexander studied her, his gaze sharp. “If you need anything—”
“Just handled a minor nuisance.” She took a sip of coffee, her expression icy. “Nothing worth discussing.”
Sebastian, watching from the shadows, could barely believe his eyes.
Alexander’s personal laptop—loaded with confidential corporate data—was something he wasn’t even permitted to touch without explicit permission.
Yet Isabella had merely asked, and Alexander handed it over without hesitation.
What kind of trust existed between them?
Two hours later, their convoy arrived at the MDH Pharmaceutical Research Institute.
The facility loomed ahead, shrouded in secrecy. Few outside the highest echelons of power even knew of its existence—and those who did spoke of it in hushed tones. Its location was a labyrinth of wilderness, deliberately untraceable.
Alexander surveyed the rugged terrain. Without an insider’s knowledge, navigating here would’ve been impossible.
But Isabella moved with the confidence of someone who’d walked this path before.
With Amelia at her side, she turned to Alexander.
“Mr. Kingsley, follow me. Let’s get Amelia inside first.”
