Chapter 86 Slanderous Gossips
Chapter 86 Slanderous Gossips
She was trending online? Annabel whipped out her phone from her bag and logged on to Facebook.
A viral post popped up on her feed.
It read, "An employee of Benton Group has been accused of attempted murder and publicly assaulting the victim's mother."
There were pictures attached to this post.
It was stated in the body of the post that Annabel intentionally pushed Nina into Lover Lake and that two eyewitnesses already testified against her, but the police still didn't detain the culprit.
It was further said that Nina's mother went to seek justice for her, but Annabel beat and pushed her to the ground.
The attached photos indicated that Annabel pushed Talia to the ground.
However, the truth was that Annabel had only slightly pushed Talia in self-defense.
The cunning elderly woman sat on the ground to elicit sympathy.
In contrast to the truth, Talia was made out to be the pitiful victim in this post.
And Annabel was labeled a vicious and unrepentant attacker.
The comments that flooded the comment section were so harsh.
Everyone roasted Annabel without holding back.
Annabel stared at the screen for a while and frowned.
This matter was turning into something else.
The police hadn't concluded the investigation, but the public was already crucifying her and accusing her of the crimes she never committed.
It was strange that everyone was against her without knowing her side of the story.
The trolls seemed to have been paid to add fuel to fire.
Talia was an ordinary middle-aged woman.There was no way she could afford to do such.It appeared that one of Annabel’s many enemies was working against her now.
Who could it be? Annabel was pondering hard when her phone suddenly rang.
As soon as she answered the phone, Anthony's voice came.
"Hey, have you seen the viral post? Why are you trending?"
"Yes, I just saw it." Annabel smiled.
"It's nothing actually.Someone just wants to ruin my reputation."
"Okay...But do you know who is behind this? Just give me a name and I will sort this out for you right away!" Anthony said angrily.
"Damn it! How dare they slander you? I must put a stop to it.I'll hack the media system and clear it all up!"
"You don’t have to do that," Annabel uttered casually.
"Since this person is so hungry for cheap popularity, they can go ahead and enjoy it while it lasts." Anthony was surprised.
"Aren't you afraid that it will dent your reputation?"
Annabel sneered, "I have been bored lately.This uproar is something interesting for a change.Let's just watch as the drama unfolds.I can tell it's going to be fun."
Anthony thought for a while and said, "You mean...?"
"Run a check on Nina for me," Annabel suggested, leaning back in her seat.
Since Nina tried to hurt her, there must be clues she left behind.Anthony immediately understood.
"All right, I'm on it.Await good news soon."
After hanging up the phone, Annabel's eyes turned cold.Her initial plan was ‘to live a peaceful life in Douburgh for three months.However, it seemed that wouldn't be possible now.
Annabel wasn't a pushover.She couldn't just sit back and watch someone drag her down.She woke up a little early in the morning.
Talia and her cohorts had pestered her for a long time, so she felt a little sleepy now.
Yawning, Annabel stood up and went to get herself a cup of coffee from the break room.
In the hallway, many employees stole glances at her and whispered to each other.
"Do you think the rumor is true? Did this gentle-looking woman push Nina into the lake?"
"Don't be deceived by looks.Since the news is going viral, it must be true."
"Well, we can’t say for sure.Anyone can start false rumors and make them believable."
"Even pretty and gentle people can be murderers.It's a jungle out there in the countryside.Perhaps Annabel became vicious after spending all her years there."
Annabel turned a deaf ear to the gossip.She held her head up high and went to the break room without sparing any of the gossipers a glance.
The vending machine was pouring dark coffee into Annabel's cup when the door of the break room suddenly swung open.
Annabel sharply turned.She saw a tall figure come in.She was surprised.
"Rupert?"
The break room was for ordinary employees.
Why was Rupert here? After all, his assistant was responsible for serving him whatever he wanted to take be it coffee, tea or juice.
Rupert shut the door behind him and walked up to Annabel.
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking down at her with concern.
"Huh? Why won't I be?" Annabel took a sip of the hot coffee and set down the cup calmly.
Rupert was stunned.
"Haven't you seen the viral post online?"
"Oh, that?" Annabel smiled.
"I have seen it, but it's nothing.I'm not guilty, so why should I be bothered?"
The calm look on Annabel's face was a little out of Rupert's expectation.
The curses online were a lot.
Normally, getting bashed that much would make anyone sad.
This was why he immediately made some calls for the post to be taken down.
Thereafter, he rushed to check on Annabel.
After finding out that she was here, he didn't hesitate to come over.
Never did it cross his mind that Annabel would be here sipping coffee without giving a damn.
Was she that strong? Or was she just pretending to be? Suddenly, Rupert reached out and held Annabel's hand.
He looked into her eyes and said assuredly, "Don't worry.I've asked people to take down the post.If any employee here is caught speaking ill of you, they will be fired on the spot."
Annabel looked at him, helpless.She didn't need his help.She wanted the post to be up for as long as the uproar would last.
It was sort of fun watching how people blindly turned against her when she was the victim.Why was this man so nosy? Anyway, it could be seen that Rupert did it just because he cared.
Annabel felt moved at the thought of that.She smiled brightly.
"I'm really fine."
Moving closer, Rupert whispered in her ear, "Annabel, you are my fiancee.It's my duty to protect you, understand?"
His warm breath sprayed all over her neck, making her blush.
Annabel's heart began to beat faster.She held her breath.
A strange sensation swept through her.Her toes curled.
The next second, she bit the inside of her lower lip hard.
How could she allow him to affect her this way? After she resumed breathing again, she pushed him away and said, "Someone might see us.Anyway, you shouldn't get too involved in my business.We aren't in a real relationship.I can take care of myself."
Annabel didn't like being indebted to anyone.
Rupert had been of great help to her recently, so she didn't want it to become a pattern.
Things would get complicated if it did.
Rupert's face darkened. Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
Conflicting glints flashed through his eyes as he had mixed feelings.However, he became calm again.
Suddenly, he pulled her over.
Annabel fell into his arms involuntarily.
"Be honest, Annabel.Do you only see me as your contractual fiance?" asked Rupert in a deep voice, wrapping his arm around her slender waist.
His minty and warm breath sprayed on Annabel's face.Her heart began to race again.She could see her reflection in his deep eyes; they seemed to be sucking her in.
After a while, Annabel looked away.She pushed him away again and pursed her lips.
Finally, she asked, "What else are you to me?"