Chapter 331
331
Back in Lestoria, after Irvin had all the trending searches related to me taken down, he grabbed a tablet playing Grace’s clarification and apology video and went to find her.
His gaze was cold as he said, “Grace, I should’ve told you before—dur first condition for working together is that you stay away from my wife!”
Hearing this, Grace’s eyes instantly turned red. “Did I do anything to her? I’m just trying to clear her name!”
Before Irvin could respond, she hurriedly added, “If you think this wasn’t the right way to do it, you can tell me what to do. I’ll do whatever you want to help clear her name!”
She sounded so serious and sincere–like she was truly willing to do anything to salvage my reputation.
Because she knew that in a situation like this, no matter how much she tried to explain, it wouldn’t make a difference.
Irvin stared at her silently. His gaze grew colder and more menacing by the second.
Grandma always loved seeing me win awards. She’d be over the moon every time I receive one.
This time, I had planned to give her the Best Rising Star in Scientific Research Award as a birthday gift.
But instead of winning, I ended up a public disgrace, smeared across the internet like some kind of criminal.
Cordelia, who had just come home for the holidays, looked at me with concern.
“Emi, what are we going to do now?” she asked, her voice thick with anger. She couldn’t help cursing Irvin. “That bastard is really out to get you!
“You’re such a brilliant researcher. If it weren’t for him, you’d be so successful and respected by everyone! But look at you now. They’re not only calling you a homewrecker, but even your research is being questioned!
“Damn it! Why didn’t that son of a bitch just die back then? I never should’ve prayed to God for him to live and end up running you like this!”
Back when Irvin had nearly died saving me , I was so devastated that I couldn’t sleep for days. Cordelia, worried sick about me, had gone to every church she could find, praying for him to survive She hadn’t wanted his death to haunt me for the rest of my life.
The hope she had back then for him to live had turned into a burning wish that he would just drop dead.
Cordelia honestly felt that Irvin was bringing bad luck to me.
I couldn’t blame all my misfortune on him , but at least 80% of it came from him.
I also felt that Irvin was the source of all my bad luck. Honestly , being with him never brought me any happiness.
When we were in love, we were struggling to get our business started and just getting by. Once we finally started making money, Julianne showed up again.
Once our lives became more comfortable, I started going through endless mental torment. It was worse than those tough years right after we got married.
Still, despite everything, I never wanted him to die for me. At least now , with things the way they were, we were even.
I hugged Cordelia tightly. “Don’t worry. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Let’s just focus on Grandma’s birthday first. After that, we’ll figure everything else out.”
That day was Grandma’s birthday. Whatever problems I had could wait. Right now, making sure she had a happy day was all that mattered.
331
+25 BONUS
Cordelia realized that, at this point, there wasn’t much she could do. Attending Grandma’s birthday celebration was more important – she didn’t want Grandma to worry about me. So she didn’t say anything else.
felt thankful that Grandma wasn’t active online or kept up with trending news. I’d also kept the award a surprise, wanting to give her a big moment of joy.
At least this way, none of this mess would ruin her special day.
She sounded so excited when I called her to say I was on my way home. At that moment, I had no idea. I was perhaps a bit too quick to feel relieved.
Some people’s cruelty was beyond what an ordinary person like me could have ever imagined.