Chapter 123

Ethan Winston's voice was soft, yet it landed like a stone breaking the calm surface of a lake.

"Sophia Laurent, let's give this a try."

Her eyelashes fluttered in surprise. But she nodded quickly.

She didn't dislike Ethan. In fact, she rather admired him.

The photos leaked by the media were taken a year into their relationship. Ethan's expression was as aloof as ever in those pictures. At the time, she hadn't noticed anything amiss.

Looking back now, his reluctance was obvious.

What had he really been thinking?

Where did she stand in his heart these past three years?

Sophia closed her eyes briefly, her chest tightening.

The sudden ringtone shattered her thoughts.

"Sophia, have you seen the news?" Oliver Granger's voice crackled with urgency.

She steadied herself. "I have."

"Should PR issue a statement immediately?"

Sophia frowned in contemplation.

The backlash was overwhelming. First Christopher Lowell's arrest, now her relationship with Ethan being twisted into something ugly. The internet was a chorus of vitriol.

Clearly, multiple parties were fueling the fire.

"Have PR release a statement," she paused. "As for Ethan and me..."

He probably wouldn't cooperate.

Hanging up, she opened her social media. Private messages flooded in, freezing her phone momentarily.

Each one was a venomous curse.

Homewrecker. Monster. Deserving of death. Every word pierced her heart.

The comments section was no better.

Pressing her lips together, she quickly drafted a post:

[Truth speaks for itself]

She attached the surveillance footage of Christopher vandalizing Pearl Group's offices.

The video sparked an immediate shift in public opinion.

"Christopher's behavior is outrageous!"

"Anyone would've called the police. That's blatant vandalism."

"Rumors of his arrogance were true. The Lowells always covered for him."

"Serves him right. His malice is written all over his face."

Christopher's fans lashed out:

"Sophia pushed him too far!"

"Why would he target only her? She must've provoked him!"

"Compared to Emily Lowell, Sophia's nothing!"