I clicked on one of the messages, and the picture was shocking: it was the scene of Olivia Gray kneeling to me at the courthouse entrance. Suddenly, I understood that the Gordon family relatives attended the commotion that day, probably to take the opportunity to capture videos for fabrication and defamation. Are the Gordon family members all brainless? I have evidence of Amanda Gordon’s crimes in my hands. Originally, I just filed a report seeking legal assistance and didn’t intend to expose this on social media. With them pushing me , aren’t they afraid I’ll also play dirty, leading us all to a mutual ruin? They must know that the Gordon family is currently at a disadvantage, and Amanda’s reputation is even worse. If her disgraceful actions are posted online, coupled with her downfall and self-inflicted harm leading to gang assault, the public outcry could be devastating enough to ruin her! I really can’t understand the Gordon family’s mindset. Despite being a prominent family in Fallhaven, their actions are so foolish, entirely counterproductive! While I was pondering what the Gordon family was really after, Wennie Lane also called. She was shocked and confused just like me. "Is Adrian Gordon acting out of hatred because he can’t have you? By doing this, he’s essentially pushing his own sister to a dead end. Aren’t his parents doing anything?" I smiled wryly, "I don’t know, maybe he thinks... as long as he can ruin my reputation and keep me from being with Daniel Carter, he doesn’t care about the cost." This is the only reason I can think of. He had previously told me — what he can’t have, no one else can. Now it seems, he is actively practicing this saying. "So, what are you planning to do? You must clarify this, otherwise, people will really think you were the one to cheat first. By then, he will be vindicated, and you’ll be destroyed." Wennie Lane was anxious. I was worried at first too, but quickly calmed down and thought about it, Adrian Gordon has no chance of winning. "Don’t worry, I have a plan. I’ll issue a statement later and see how the situation develops." After reassuring my friend, I contemplated how to write the statement and then called Daniel Carter. "Don’t suppress the trending topic for now, otherwise, everyone will think I’m guilty. I plan to write a little essay to respond and see how the public reacts." Daniel Carter disagreed, "With the current online fervor, staying silent is the safest. Once you respond, all the attention will focus on you." "No problem, I’ve been through a lot and can handle it." These words were not out of arrogance. It’s the years of suppression and bullying by the Miller Family that have truly built my strong heart and thick skin. Otherwise, a few months ago, after the marriage change, I would have given up and jumped off a building. But Daniel Carter was still worried, "How about I come over to keep you company? I know you’re used to handling things alone, but now you don’t have to." "No, given the current situation, we’d better not meet, or it could be used against us." "So, it’s New Year’s, are you planning to spend it alone?" I held my head, realizing I’d forgotten what day it was. "There’s a countdown event tonight, like I told you before. If you don’t want me to come over during the day, I’ll pick you up later. Let’s go out with friends and have some fun, better than being stuck at home overthinking." He said gently, pausing before adding, "It also eases my mind." Holding the phone, his warmth resonated in my ears, calming my once restless and anxious heart. "Okay, see you tonight." After hanging up, I wasn’t in the mood for romance. I immediately opened my computer and got busy. Meanwhile, I called the lawyer in charge of Amanda Gordon’s case, asking for a recommendation for a lawyer skilled in handling online defamation. I tasked Cherry with contacting the company’s PR department to compile a list of key IDs spreading falsehoods online. Then, I handed these IDs to the newly hired civil attorney to draft a legal notice holding the defamers accountable. After completing all this, it was already noon. I published the "essay" and had the PR department reach out to several media outlets to amplify its impact. While casually making something to eat, my phone started ringing incessantly before I even finished. Wennie Lane, Nora Saunders, Rachel Boone, and others all called, saying they helped share the essay and legal notice. They even hired online warriors to counter the trolls. I expressed my heartfelt gratitude repeatedly. It seems my life isn’t as tragic as it seems. Though my family might be disgraceful and my ex-husband despicable, at least I have so many genuine friends, indicating I haven’t failed as a person. My aunt and grandmother also found out, worrying about me. It took a lot of comforting to ease their concerns. After making these calls, I received a text from an unknown number on my phone. Opening it, I was slightly stunned. [Lily Miller, didn’t expect you to be this meticulous, remembering everything over the years so vividly. You’ve been waiting to settle the scores and want me to be grateful towards you, don’t you?] I instantly knew who sent it, furrowing my brow as a chill ran through my heart. [Adrian Gordon, shouldn’t you be grateful to me? If it weren’t for me saving you, you’d have been long dead. With such ingratitude, no wonder even the heavens can’t stand it and let your old illness relapse.] There was no response from the other side. He must think he can’t outargue me and didn’t want to embarrass himself further. My social media was buzzing with notifications, and the backend almost exploded! Countless private messages came in, some supportive, some insults. I skimmed through them, not caring too much about the positives or negatives, but couldn’t help rereading my crafted little essay. The whole text was nearly four thousand words. From the first meeting with Adrian Gordon, our beautiful campus romance, my selfless blood donation for him... To the wedding dress I made by hand, the painstakingly planned wedding, the reserved jewelry, and the tailored wedding suits I personally stitched for him. If I had cheated long ago, betraying our relationship, why would I have poured so much effort into preparing the wedding? In contrast, all Adrian Gordon did throughout was spend some money, nothing else. On the eve of our wedding, he was still in the hospital with another woman, playing the hero. Then the matter of Olivia Gray kneeling to me. I recounted Amanda Gordon’s actions in detail, though I left some room, omitting her sexual assault ordeal. But I believe someone will leak it. After all, many in the circle are already aware of this scandal, and now that it’s fermenting, some will seize the chance, eager to stir chaos. So there’s no need for me to be the villain and invite the wrath of hypocrites. At the end of the essay, I attached evidence wherever mentioned, provided there was photographic proof. Including blood donation credentials, photos of the wedding dress, and snapshots from the wedding scene. Oh yes, also a clip from the wedding day showing Adrian Gordon linking arms with Sophie Miller on the red carpet while I was forced to officiate — in short, all the evidence was unleashed. The defamer’s slander against me was based on a few vague remarks. But my counterattack was supported by irrefutable evidence. No wonder Adrian Gordon used a strange number to text me, accusing me of being nitpicky and remembering every little detail. He must be anxious, flustered, and knows he’s in the wrong. Little things? Ha, it’s precisely those little things that saved his sorry life. Beneath the short essay, comments have already surpassed 10,000. Apart from a small portion of insults, saying I’m a woman with deep scheming and frightening — most are supportive, saying this is the typical story of "The Farmer and the Snake." Hits the nail on the head. The facts are indeed . My phone rang, Daniel Carter sent a WeChat message saying he would pick me up in an hour. I looked up and realized it was already late, promptly got up to wash and dress. After a day of public opinion warfare, I’m not conflicted anymore. Tomorrow is the first day of the New Year, indeed, one should be joyful and happy, to start the new year well. I can’t let those messy affairs of the Gordon Family and those rotten people online affect my original life. They want me to be overwhelmed, want me to be infamous, want me to be depressed and in pain — I’m not having it! I will live freely and elegantly, dressed gorgeously, and happily celebrate the New Year! Daniel Carter arrived while I was tidied up. I wore a long red dress, paired with a black cashmere coat outside. Since my knee hasn’t fully recovered, I dared not wear high heels, so I picked a pair of pointed flat shoes, elegant and comfortable. Anyway, I’m tall and well-proportioned, and even in flat shoes, I looked beautiful and dazzling in the mirror. Light makeup on the face, long hair curled into big waves, blazing red lips matched the same-colored long dress, I smiled narcissistically at myself in the mirror, anticipating Daniel Carter’s reaction when he sees me. I’m still certain, he will definitely make a gesture tonight. Actually, until now I don’t know whether I should take that step. Especially after today’s online public opinion battle, I feel more hesitant and uneasy, thinking it’s not a good timing. But these worries and hesitations don’t affect my subconscious expectations, that’s why I got dressed up, showing my most beautiful state, just in case. With excitement, I went downstairs, and upon seeing Daniel Carter standing by the car, my heartbeat became more chaotic. Daniel Carter, upon seeing me, changed his posture. The weather outside was cold, he wore a dark trench coat, under which was a suit and tie, not missing a detail. Just as I stepped out of the gate, the neighborhood lights suddenly came on. Daniel Carter seemed to be illuminated by the light, his brows and eyes appearing deeper, and the curve of his smiling mouth even more charming. I can tell, he also made a special effort on his appearance tonight. So, he is likely to make a gesture. Buzzing noises filled my ears, as if someone was banging a gong right next to me. Logic told me I should refuse, but my legs seemed to have a mind of their own, heading towards him step by step. Daniel Carter scrutinized me seriously. As the streetlight turned on, the light was bright, I could clearly see his handsome and proper face showing a look of amazement, as if he hadn’t expected me to dress up. Not until I stood in front of him did he blink slightly and come to his senses. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fiɾe·net "Not bad, full of energy, vibrant and radiant, made me worry for nothing all day." He smiled, turned halfway, and personally opened the car door for me. I smiled, unreservedly saying, "I told you long ago, I am a seasoned fighter, I don’t care about those things." He walked to the other side to sit in the car, looked at me again, and couldn’t help but nod: "Hmm, I underestimated President Miller." I glanced at him, smiled without speaking. In my heart, I thought, if we have to be together, the family background can’t match, at least personal ability and charisma should be on par, right? Otherwise, what would I use to attract him? But actually, even if I give it my all, it’s unlikely I will be able to match him in those two aspects. I can only work hard to make myself better, so the gap between us isn’t that big, and try not to become his trouble and burden. The luxury car drove through the streets, filled with festive joy, fireworks bloomed. We headed towards the river, but due to the high traffic tonight, the riverside was already congested. The car moved two kilometers in half an hour but hadn’t arrived yet. Melissa Chandler called twice urging us, and we were still stuck on the road, motionless. "Is it outdoors?" I asked curiously, looking at the crowded scene outside, feeling somewhat apprehensive. He pointed forward at a building, following his action, I looked over, it was Fallhaven’s landmark, Fallhaven Tower. The top floor of Fallhaven Tower is a rotating restaurant, high in specification, and reportedly bookings must be made half a month in advance to get a spot. And on an occasion like tonight, an opportunity would certainly be hard to come by. "It’s blocked again, just 200 meters left, shall we get off and walk over?" Daniel Carter turned back, seeking my opinion. "If your leg hurts, I can carry you." I was startled and refused repeatedly: "No need, no need, I can walk slowly." With so many people on the street, he’d carry me over? Afraid I wouldn’t make it to tomorrow’s hot topic headlines? We got off the car, Daniel Carter extended his hand to me, after hesitating for a moment, I still gave my hand to him. "Actually, we shouldn’t be , in case someone photographs us, they’ll gossip and slander again." As he held my fingers, I made the last struggle, muttering. Daniel Carter said: "No need to live under others’ gazes and words, if someone spreads rumors, I’ll take action to deal with it, whether you agree or not." His attitude was gentle yet assertive. "..." I had nothing to say, walking with him on the bustling and lively streets. Perhaps because of my heightened mood, despite being dressed thinly, I didn’t feel cold. When the crowd was dense, he would protect me, looking down and smiling at me. I didn’t understand what he was smiling at, but my face flushed red in the cold wind. We walked for more than ten minutes and finally arrived at Fallhaven Tower. Taking the elevator to the top floor, through the glass window of the observation elevator, I saw the drone light show by the riverside, eyes widened in surprise. Drone light shows aren’t rare, I’ve seen a few live performances, really magnificent and breathtaking. But those are observed from the ground. It’s my first time viewing from this perspective, experiencing a grand stature, gazing upon the world from the mid-air. Daniel Carter noticed my interest, smiled and said: "When we reach the top floor, the angle will be even more stunning." I nodded, marvelling: "The engineers who designed these, are amazing." He slightly retorted: "Really? This is child’s play, undertaken by a subsidiary of my company."