After all, thanks to Judie’s influence, gossip about Loraine was a perennial topic of their idle chats, and


    the rumors about her were ceaselessly circted.


    But hadn’t Loraine left the vige pregnant? If she had returned, wouldn’t she be a crestfallen woman


    who had birthed a child and was heartlessly abandoned by her affluent partner? How could she now be


    this poised, dignified, and stunningly beautiful woman?


    As the crowd gaped at Loraine, Judie felt her vige limelight swiftly being stolen away. Overwhelmed


    by resentment, she couldn’t contain her venomous words and was first to jeer


    “Loraine, weren’t you the one impregnated by some random man before running away? So why did you


    return?”


    Before Loraine could respond, Judie persisted in her mockery. “Ah, it’s clear now. You must have been


    discarded and had to crawl back to the orphanage, right? You parade around as if you’re lofty and


    superior, iming to have a boyfriend… I suppose he’s your benefactor, right?


    By the way, how old is this man who’s supporting you? Is he some frail, elderly man in his seventies or


    eighties? Just don’t bring him here and stage some trick to swindle me, I won’t donate my money to


    you guys!”


    Judie had always been quick to voice her thoughts, and as she wrapped up her speech, it seemed to


    dawn on the vigers as well.


    Indeed, her ount aligned with the rumors they frequently overheard.


    Either Loraine was abandoned by an elderly benefactor and had to retreat to the countryside and the


    orphanage, or she returned with her unappealing benefactor to embarrass herself here!


    ninjanovel


    Suddenly, the vigers’ nces towards Loraine turned scornful, and some women even shielded their


    children’s eyes, admonishing them sharply, “Don’t take after women like her, they’re shameless and


    bring disgrace upon our vige!”


    Loraine was no stranger to such remarks. The enduring poverty of this ce had its reasons. People


    here were ignorant and small-minded, only capable of spitefully conjecturing about others and


    begrudging their sess.


    No wonder Henna had struggled vehemently to relocate to the city for a better life.


    But an aged man in his seventies or eighties?


    So, that’s how they had pictured her so-called “benefactor” as her partner. Loraine couldn’t help but


    smirk, feigning disappointment as she responded, “Judie, I’m afraid I will let you down. My partner isn’t


    that old.”


    Judie was caught off guard. “What?”


    The next moment, Loraine pivoted and called out, “Marco.”


    Was this the name of her alleged sugar daddy? What was his full name?


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    While Judie was still contemting, she noticed a tall, elegant figure approaching from a distance. Her


    eyes instantly sparked with interest.


    The man had a stern, icy demeanor, and an extraordinary aura that clearly didn’t belong in this rural


    setting. The only thing seeming out of ce was the bag of presents he was carrying.


    He scanned the crowd for a moment, his gaze settling on a spot before his frosty facade softened,


    unveiling a subtle smile as he walked briskly towards it.


    As Judie spotted him advancing, her heart fluttered, an inexplicable mix of shyness and excitement


    washing over her.


    Was he drawn to her?


    Just as Judie was about to reciprocate, the man’s focus shifted to