Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Why? Hasn’t the person who attacked me been silenced?”
Cliff sighed.
“For now, yes. But who knows if there are others who know about it?”
The previous tunnel collapse had been disastrous, with multiple casualties. Although they’d spent heavily to cover up the truth and silence those involved, the risk of exposure remained.
Juliet’s determination to marry into the Hopkins family wasn’t just about status-it was about protection. If the truth ever surfaced, she needed the Hopkins name to shield her. But with the engagement in limbo, she and her father were on edge.
“Do you think Cliff is having second thoughts about marrying you?” Orlando asked.
Juliet answered sharply, “No, his parents adore me. This is just a formality. There’s no reason for him to back out.”
Despite her words, Juliet suspected Laney was the issue.
The last time Kira suggested a risky plan to deal with Laney, Juliet had dismissed it. Now, it seemed like there was no other option.
After reassuring Orlando, Juliet visited Kira for help.
Kira, eager to support her sister, readily agreed.
“Don’t worry, Juliet. I’ll make sure that bitch is ruined. She’ll never come near the Hopkins family again.”
Later that evening, Juliet visited Cliff at his office, hoping to discuss the engagement once more. However, his answer remained unchanged. Cliff, seated at his desk, appeared preoccupied with a file. As Juliet approached, she noticed the cover bore the Acosta family’s name.
“Is the Acosta family transferring leadership to their son?” Juliet asked curiously.
Cliff didn’t look up.
“No.”
“Then why are you reviewing their file?” Juliet pressed, noting its thickness. He had clearly gone into great detail.
Cliff frowned, his patience wearing thin.
“Do you have something to say?”
“I missed you,” Juliet said, sitting on the sofa with an air of familiarity.
Cliff’s response was cold.
“If you have physical needs, feel free to find someone else. Just keep it discreet and away from our parents.”
Juliet scoffed, masking her irritation.
“Are you this indifferent with everyone? If your cousin wanted a man, would you send a man to her bed or handle it yourself?”
Before Cliff could respond, his secretary burst into the room, clearly distressed.
“Mr. Hopkins!”
Cliff’s expression darkened.
“Don’t you know how to knock?”
The secretary, visibly flustered, ignored his reprimand.
“You need to see the news-it’s urgent.”
A sense of unease washed over Cliff as he picked up his phone.
A breaking news alert flashed across the screen: “Breaking News! Popular ballet star at X Theatre caught in a scandalous affair with her cousin. Intimate photos leaked.”
The matter concerning Cliff was naturally a hot topic. He had recently assumed the role of the largest shareholder in his company, and whispers of his engagement to the Foster family were just beginning to circulate. At such a critical juncture, the revelation of intimate photos of Laney as “the other woman” was a devastating blow to her reputation.
Cliff tapped on the images, scrolling through them. None were fabricated. They were all candid shots from their brief, secretive relationship two months ago.
Cliff’s grip on the phone tightened, the veins on the back of his hand bulging with suppressed rage.
“Find out where these photos came from,” he ordered, his voice icy.
The secretary, already anticipating his demand, replied, “An anonymous social media account claims they were leaked from a phone repair shop.”
Cliff’s tone was laced with quiet fury.
“Contact the police. I want everyone involved at that shop detained immediately.”
The secretary hesitated.
“Mr. Hopkins, with your current public scrutiny, taking drastic action could backfire. It might be seen as abuse of power and worsen the situation.”
Cliff’s eyes narrowed.
“How is holding people accountable for violating privacy abuse of power?”
Suppressing his anger, Cliff kicked his chair aside and strode out of the office. The secretary, alarmed by his impulsiveness, hurried after him.
Juliet, who had been silently observing, smirked and stepped forward.
“Don’t bother trying to stop Cliff. Once his anger flares, no one can hold him back.”
She knew exactly where he was headed-and why. The scandal had hit Laney hardest, and Cliff’s reaction was proof he couldn’t stand to see her suffer.
But Juliet also knew his impulsive actions would only confirm the rumors if caught by the paparazzi. He wouldn’t give up on Laney without experiencing some hardship.
Laney had already seen the news. Rather than panic, her thoughts drifted to the day she lost her phone. It was clear someone had been targeting her since then.
Knowing Merrick had connections at the theater, Laney asked him to retrieve the surveillance footage from that day.
When Merrick called her back, his voice was serious.
“Someone tampered with the footage. But luckily, my friend kept a backup. I watched it. The person who stole your phone was Kira.”
Laney’s suspicions were confirmed. Before she could hang up, Kira’s voice echoed from behind her.
“Laney, I thought I’d find you here.”
Laney turned to see Kira standing there.
After the incident, many people at the theater were watching Laney, forcing her to hide in the deserted hallway of her apartment building.
Kira stood smugly, arms crossed.
“Enjoying your new title as ‘the other woman’? Didn’t expect to be exposed, did you? How does it feel to be the center of attention?”
Laney met Kira’s malicious gaze with calm resolve. She admitted to loving Cliff-recklessly, passionately-but she was not the other woman.
“The photos were taken before Cliff was with Juliet. They prove nothing,” Laney said, holding up her phone.
“But you, Kira, stole my phone, violated my privacy, and spread false rumors. Have you considered the consequences?”
Kira’s expression faltered. She hadn’t expected Laney to act so quickly.
But hadn’t the surveillance footage been destroyed?
Panicking, Kira lunged at Laney, trying to snatch her phone.
“Give that to me!”
Laney sidestepped Kira effortlessly.
“It’s too late. I’ve already called the police. This surveillance footage is going public. Those photos don’t just implicate me-they drag Cliff and the Hopkins family into this mess. Do you think they’ll let you off lightly?”
Kira’s composure shattered as her mind reeled. She grabbed at Laney’s clothes, desperation etched on her face.
“You wouldn’t dare!” she hissed.
Laney pulled away, her calm demeanor only heightening Kira’s frustration.
In the heat of the moment, Kira’s gaze flickered to the staircase. A sinister thought took root. The slap she’d received in the dressing room still stung. If she “accidentally” pushed Laney down the stairs, leaving her injured-or worse-her sister’s path to marrying Cliff would be clear.
The temptation was irresistible. Acting on impulse, Kira grabbed Laney’s collar and shoved her toward the stairs.
Caught off guard, Laney instinctively clung to the railing to stop her fall. Her survival instinct kicked in, and she pushed Kira away with all her strength.
Kira stumbled, losing her balance. She screamed as she tumbled down the stairs, her body hitting the steps with sickening thuds.
Laney froze in shock, unable to move as she watched Kira land in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the staircase.
A pool of blood began to form around Kira’s motionless body. Laney’s breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. She hadn’t meant for this to happen.
Before Laney could react, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. Cliff appeared at the top of the stairs, his chest heaving as he took in the scene. His shoe landed inches from Kira’s lifeless figure, his gaze locking onto Laney.
Laney had never faced anything like this before.
Kira lay motionless, her blood pooling on the floor, an image that gripped Laney with paralyzing fear.
Laney’s legs felt weak, threatening to give way beneath her.
Cliff assumed it was an accident. Without wasting a moment, he scooped Kira into his arms and carried her to his car. Along the way, he checked her breathing. It was steady-she was unconscious but alive.
Cliff’s thoughts lingered on Laney. Instead of driving Kira to the hospital himself, he instructed his driver, “Take her to the hospital. Keep everything quiet. Inform me immediately of any updates.”