Chapter 8
The headline stated that Jacob cheated with a female doctor, and Sophia attempted suicide for love.
“Unbelievable. Even doctors are homewreckers now,”
*She looks like a shut anyway.”
“She’s a doctor in a lab coat, but without it, just a bitch.“
“Disgusting. She doesn’t even deserve to lick Sophia’s shoes.”
“so Sophia’s suicide was because of this woman?
Seems Blor Jacob was bewitched by her. Now that he’s regained his senses, he’s trying to buy her off, but she’s greedy and shameless.”
“Limow her. She’s a doctor at Kingsbury Hospital 1 think her last name is Sallivan ”
“Isn’t Kingsbury Hospital owned by the Kilbone family? She probably slept her way to the job.”
“How could someone like her have medical ethics? Kingsbury Hospital should fire this disgraceful woman!”
The comments under the video were vile and unbearable. Most of the comments were from Sophia’s fans, who had no knowledge of the truth but had already labeled Eloise as the mistress, hurling the nastiest insults they could think of.
Eloise slammed through a few comments before closing the application. The trending topic, which had been ranked 19th earlier, had climbed to the
number one spot
“This is clearly Sophia’s team at work. They must’ve paid to push this to the top of the trends,” Celia analyzed.
Eloise couldn’t quite get it. “Why would they promote such an embarrassing scandal?“”
Celia shook her head and clicked her tongue. “From my years of experience in fandom, Sophia’s team is likely trying to divert attention away from her
“Remember what I told you earlier? The news about her suicide broke out, and netizens began speculating that the baby she’s carrying belongs to Showm People think she attempted suicide because he refused to take responsibility.”
Eloise frowned. “So they’re using me as a scapegoat?”
Exactly! And it’s working perfectly. Look at how the public opinion has shifted. People went from criticizing her to targeting you.”
“But I’m not even a celebrity.“”
“Exactly why it’s easier to attack you. You don’t have a fanbase to defend you, and Sophia and Jacob aren’t stepping in to clear your name. Now that your adentity’s been exposed, if this escalates, it’ll start affecting your life and career.”
Eloise exhaled sharply. She didn’t care about a few insults from strangers, but being used like this by Sophia disgusted her.
Determined, she went to the VIP ward upstairs. As she stepped out of the elevator, she bumped into Jacob, who was waiting for the elevator. No one else was around
“You’ve seen the trending news, right? I expect you and Sophia to clarify things immediately,” Eloise said directly.
Jacob looked indifferently. “Just stay off the internet,”
“Do you have any shame! Why should I take the tall for Sophia?” Eloise snapped.
Jacob frowned “What do y you mean by take the tall‘ for her?”
“Don’t play dumb. She’s the mistress, not me
“Don’t you dare use the word ‘mistress‘ to describe Sophia! She’s not a mistress!” Jacob kicked the elevator door. Then, he turned to glare at Eloise.” She’s a victim! She just fell for the wrong person!”
Eloise couldn’t help but laugh. That was the most absurd thing she had ever heard.
“What about me? What did I do to deserve this?”
Jacob sneered. “Didn’t we already beealt up?”
At the same time, the elevator doors opened, and he went inside. “Whoever insults you has nothing to do with me.
As Eloise returned to her office, she noticed the hospital staff–doctors, nurses, and even patients–whispering about her as she passed by.
“Isn’t it that pretty doctor, Dr. Sullivan? Wow, I didn’t expect this from her!“.
“Looks can be deceiving. If I looked like her, I’d go after rich guys too!”
“But she’s a doctor. It feels like she’s disgracing the entire profession.
Back in her office, Eloise recalled a call from Clara
Chapter
“Ms. Sullivan, I finally got in touch with the property owner, but…..
Eloise’s heart tightened. “Clara, what did they say?”
“They demanded ten million dollars.”
“How much?”
H
“I think they don’t actually want to sell it, so they’re asking for a ridiculous price. Ms. Sullivan, I knew your parents, and I really want to help. But honestly, you should let this po
Clutching her phone, Eloise fell silent for a moment. “Clara, could you give me the owner’s contact information? I’d like to speak to them myself.”
“Sure. I’ll send it over
She received the number shortly after but didn’t check it immediately. She opened the message only when she was on the subway. When she saw the number, she froze.
She only had two phone numbers memorized–her own and Jacob’s, This number was his
Her grip tightened on her phone, and she stared at the digits for what felt like an eternity. So, he was the owner of the house. He had bought it back long ago but had never told her.
She recalled the time he had accompanied her to the house. The door had been locked, and she could only peer inside. She had told him countless childhood stories and shared how much she wanted to step inside again.
But he had simply said, “It’s just an old house. What’s there to miss?”
“I want to buy it back,” she had told him.
“Fine, Work hard for it. Or if you satisfy me tonight, 1’ll consider helping you.‘
Coming out from the subway was a bar she sometimes visited for a drink. This time, she ordered an entire bottle of liquor. Sipping her drink, she thought about those eight years with Jacob–every memory, every scene. It felt like a comedy where she played the fool
How could she have been so stupid were just entertainment to him
Pouring her heart into someone who never deserved her love. Her sacrifices, which she thought were meaningful,
glass after another, she downed half the bottle. The room started spinning, but she kept drinking it, as if drowning g her stupidity in alcohol would
prake it
Her phone buzzed. It was William who was sending her a photo. The picture captured a streetlamp at dawn, with the faint light of day breaking through the darkness. The streets were empry. William’s hair could be seen getting lifted by the wind from his shadow.
Only then did she realize she had no idea what William actually looked like. Felicia Isad once mentioned it in passing, saying he was exceptionally good- looking–better than the actress on TV.
– instead –
She had laughed over the phone at the time, replying, “Men should be handsome, not p
pretty.
- ty. They should outshine male celebrities
But Felicia had insisted, “He’s just beautiful. Not feminine, of course, but undeniably beautiful.”
And now, that shadow seemed to confirm her words. Even though it was just a silhouette, it was strikingly beautiful in an inexplicable way, as if shadows themselves could possess a sense of grace.
He messaged, “Pulled an all–nighter for work. Had too much to drink”
Smiling, she replied with a picture of her empty bottle, “I’m still drinking, ”
Alone?” he asked
“When I get back, I’ll join you.”
As she stared at his message, a surge of warmth spread through her. He didn’t reprimand her for drinking or warn her about being out alone at night. He simply said he would be there
“Didn’t you say you don’t like drinking?” she asked.
“I don’t. It hurts my stomach, but it’s not like I can’t drink.”
“Does your stomach hurt now!!!
“I’ll make hangover drinks for you.”
“Teach me,
and I’ll malor it for you instead,” William said.
Eloise smiled through her tears. In those eight years, she had been drunk and miserable countless times, but Jacob had never once offered to make hangover drinks
