Chapter 189
| spent the day walking with Olive around the city. | figured she’d enjoy seeing some sights after being cooped up in our little
apartment most days. It was nothing like the spacious home andrge, open backyard she had with her mom.
| also longed for a few moments of peace, and feeding bread to the ducks with her seemed to aplish exactly that. After a
quick meal and another long walk, we returned home with her ready to retreat to my room for a nap.
As | sank into the worn-out sofa, half—asleep, | picked up the remote control and turned on the television as some background
noise.
The news anchor’s voice filled the room, and my attention was instantly drawn to the screen. The headline shed in bold letters:
“Affair Scandal Rocks Prominent Family”This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
| squinted at the television, my heart-pounding with trepidation. Ste’s face appeared on the screen. She was seated in an
elegant living room, her tearful eyes staring directly into the camera.
“What on earth?” | muttered to myself, my heart racing. | had no idea what could have brought Ste into the spotlight.
The news anchor began to narrate the story. Apparently, an anonymous source had leaked scandalous photos and information
about an alleged affair involving Ste, a prominent political figure, and a prominent businessperson. | watched in shock as the
photos emerged on the screen, depicting Ste in intimate situations with none other than Andy Hayes
As the images unfolded, my 1
raced to the thumb drive | had retrieved from Andy’s office. Those photos didn’t match the ones on the screen at
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all, though I’d made my own share of threats. Either way, it was perplexing.
*020% LJ 13:35
Evidently, Ste''s PR team had gone into damage control mode. They issued a statement, denying the authenticity of the photos
and calling them “baseless fabrications.” Thewyer in me couldn’t help but analyze the situation.
The power of denial and deflection was a powerful tactic, especially when someone’s reputation was at stake. But the photos
seemed so real, and the media’s response was mixed. Some outlets were skeptical, while others chose to give Ste the benefit
of the doubt.
| watched in awe as Ste, looking disheveled and emotionally distraught, appeared on the screen. Her voice trembled as she
spoke to the media.
“| can’t believe someone would do this to our family,” she sobbed, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “Timothy and | were just on the
brink of a new beginning, a fresh start, and now someone is purposefully trying to tarnish our reputation before we can even
begin.”
Her words were delivered with such raw emotion that it was hard not to feel sympathy for her if you didn’t know the truth. Ste
was just as much of an actress as she was a model, and she knew how to work the media. Her heartfelt plea tugged at the
heartstrings of the public, and many people began to question the authenticity of the affair scandal.
But | couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. | knew the truth about the thumb drive, and | had seen
the evidence. How had the photos of Ste ended up there, and who was behind this leak?
The news anchor continued to narrate the story, emphasizing Ste’s emotional state and her plea for understanding in the face
of the scandal. The cameras panned over a sea of reporters, each eager to ask their own questions.
To everyone’s shock, a lone reporter broke the scripted narrative. He asked a question that cut through the carefully constructed
image of Ste
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Chapter 189
Fitzgerald.
F8=020%
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“Ms. Fitzgerald,” the reporter inquired, “is it not a strange coincidence that this affair scandal hase to light so soon after the
passing of your fiancé’s mother? Could you rify the timeline for us?”
The room fell silent as Ste stared at the reporter, her face contorted in shock. My own heart skipped a beat as his words
started to sink in.
Could
you please repeat that question?” Ste’s voice trembled as she spoke, and she appeared just as confused.
The reporter obliged, and his words hung heavy in the air. “Is it not a strange coincidence that this affair scandal hase to
light so soon after the death of Mrs. Hayes? Her death was dered this morning, and now that this has spilled out, it wouldn’t
look to good on your part.”
Ste hesitated, herposure faltering. The reporter had cast a shadow of doubt over the situation, and the media room
buzzed with whispers and spection.
| tore my eyes away from the screen, my heart racing. | needed answers.
Without thinking, | rushed to the door and dashed down the hall to Timothy’s apartment. Panic set in, and | knocked incessantly,
calling his name. “Timothy! Timothy, are you there?” | yelled, my voice frantic.
But there was no response. The apartment remained silent, the shades drawn, and no sign of life behind the door.
| stepped back, my mind racing with worry. | couldn’t help but wonder if Timothy was aware of the news, and if he was okay. My
concern grew with
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Chapter 189
each passing second.
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Desperation pushed me to call Timothy, and my fingers shook as | dialed his number. The phone rang several times, but it
eventually went to
voicemail.
“Timothy, | began, my voice wavering with concern. “It’s Evie. | just saw the news, and I’m so sorry about your mother. Please,
call me when you get this. I’m here for you.”
| ended the call, my heart heavy with worry, and immediately dialed Penny. Maybe she had some insight into the situation.
Penny answered after a few rings, her voiceden with sadness. “Evie, | just heard about Mrs. Hayes. It’s terrible, and | can’t
believe this is happening. “I know,” | replied, my voice choked with emotion. “But have you spoken to Timothy? I’ve been trying to
reach him, and he’s not answering.” There was a pause on the other end of the line, and | could sense the concern in Penny’s
voice. “No, | haven''t heard from him either. But I’m sure he’s just overwhelmed right now. Evie, he’ll reach out when he’s ready.”
| knew Penny was trying tofort me, but | couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. The timing of it all was too
intense, and the connection between Mrs. Hayes’ passing, the affair scandal, and Timothy’s unresponsiveness gnawed at my
mind.
| thanked Penny for her support and hung up, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me. There was nothing | could do but
wait and hope that Timothy would reach out when he was ready.
| walked back to my apartment and plopped back down on the couch. | just couldn''t sit idly by. | needed to keep myself upied,
though | wasn’t sure
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Chapter 189
with what.
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20% 13:35
| nced over at the clock on the wall, and sighed. It was still fairly early for dinner. Still, | needed to do something with my
hands. Anything.
After mustering up the strength, | got up to prepare some dinner. Hopefully, Aria would be home to push away the silence soon.
Until then, all | could
do was wait.
| just hoped Timothy was okay.
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