Chapter 10: Scandal

ELENA PETERS

The blaring sound infiltrating my ears made my head hurt.

I opened my eyes and was greeted by the familiar structure of my childhood bedroom.

I stretched, feeling the softness and warmth of the bed.

My eyes went to the cause of the hurtful noise. It was my phone, ringing real loud.

The call had ended though. I picked my phone up and saw it was Trent that had been calling me. He dropped ten messages and twenty missed calls.

I squeezed my eyes tightly. Trying to erode the sleep in them.

I also wondered why Trent was blowing up my phone this early.

The phone began ringing again. And he was the one calling. I picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Elena, sweetie, are you alright?” His tone was urgent.

More confusion filled my head. “Uhm. Yeah. What's going on?”

“You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“The news. Haven’t you seen the news?”

The loud noise coming from outside my room caught my attention instantly, making me wonder what was going on. It seemed the TV was on.

But why was it so loud?

“I’ll call you back.”

“Wait-“That was the last statement I heard from him before I cut ended call.

I was still in the night pjs I had worn to sleep and didn't feel like changing out of it. I stood up from the bed and left my room, heading downstairs.

I didn't mean to sleep over here in Father's house but Trent had called last night, informing me that he wouldn't be home.

I forced myself not to think about the possible places he might be at. Because Tracy also didn't spend the night here. It was hard keeping my kind from wandering off into thoughts of them being together.

But I also knew I couldn't go home. I'd feel so sad, depressed and lonely again, spending another night without him by my side.So I decided to spend the night here in Father's house instead.

I got downstairs and was met with the sight of my stepmother and my Father in the living room.

With the TV turned on and on loud volume.

The news was displayed on the screen. The news anchor, a red-headed lady was reading some news.

What caught me was the display of my pictures. And the headline.

“SECRETS OF THE GREEDY LUNA.”

“Mrs Elena. The people's princess. The mate of Alpha Trent And the Luna of Crimson Hills Pack had been alleged to have embezzled twenty billion dollars from the company she and her mate owns. The money she allegedly embezzled has cost the living status of the people of our packs. People barely survive under the little merger they collect from the company. They have been ripped by the Luna, who was supposed to be their protector.”

I froze up. Startled by the news I was seeing.

How had that come up? And what in the hell were they spilling?

“Many people have shown their disappointment and dissatisfaction over the recent events.” The news anchor lady continued, and then videos of people cussing me out we're displayed.

“I used to love Luna Elena. But now I hate her. We were to be paid our salary, which we hadn’t been paid for two months. My family are starving, and I could barely get my sick children treated. Only to find out that we didn’t get the money was cause she took it all for herself.” One of the angered people said in the video, causing my throat to feel constricted. That was a lie.

A big lie.

“She is meant to be the company's business advisor. To bring high investors and make life easier for the people of the pack. And yet, instead of doing her job. She took the people's hard-earned money as though the one her daddy gives her wasn’t enough. She uses the cash for her lavish lifestyle. She has to devour the people's sweat!” Another angered person said.

I staggered breathlessly, causing my stepmother and father to look in my direction.

They immediately came towards me while I felt the little air in me seeping away.

I didn't wanna continue listening to the vile, untrue things they were saying about me but I couldn't shut my ears off to them. They were forcing their way into my ears and piercing through the walls of my heart.

“What sort of evil bitchh would steal from the people so she could wear the latest designs?” Another person asked.

Lies!

I would never put people in distress for my gain. I loved these people as my own.

I would never wish for their misfortune. So why was the news showcasing me as an evil person?

My parents motioned for me to sit on the couch.

“These aggrieved statements are from the people of Crimson Hills pack. They are calling on the authorities to investigate the company's financial statement. And to apprehend her properly for her sins.”

My hands began to tremble as different emotions swirled inside me.

The dominant of them was shock and confusion. And fear. Fear for what? What did I do?

How had they come up with this theory? And why were the people believing them?

The silent sound that came next. It made me raise my head. My father had turned off the TV.

My stepmother was sitting next to me. She held my hands.

“I didn’t-“ I couldn’t finish the sentence. My voice got clogged and pained. Tears made their way down my eyes making me feel even more uneasy

Why was I crying? I shouldn't cry. I didn't do anything wrong. But the tears wouldn't stop rolling down.

Father came and hugged me. “I know, sweetie. I know.” His calm voice only triggered more tears down my eyes.

“How could they say such horrible things? I would never do anything to hurt my people. I love them. I swear it. The salary was delayed cause of a deal with some Frenchmen. Trent was the one in charge of the deal-“

“Darling, you don’t have to explain yourself. I believe you.” Father said. I am planting a kiss on my forehead.

The tears flowed down my eyes evenmore.

“I swear I’ll get to the root of this matter. And once I find the bastard who uploaded these lies, I will make him regret the day he was born.” Father threatened.

But I felt pretty too saddened to care about it.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I promise I won’t let anyone destroy your reputation.”

Well, that was hard as the damages had already been done. I, however, didn’t say that. Just kept crying.

“Where is she?” The booming sound of Trent’s voice snapped me out of my tears.

I turned my head to see him. He came towards me and hugged me.

Father stood up. So Trent could replace him on the couch and keep comforting me. Wrong decision. As I would rather my father comforted me than him.

“Are you alright, darling?” He breathed out calmly, cupping my face and cleaning my tears with his thumbs.

“What is going on? Why are there lies in the media about me?”

“I don’t know, darling. But I promise I’ll fix it.” Trent cooed, kissing my forehead.

I felt distraught. So even when Father started phoning people, I didn't pay much attention to him.

My stepmother brought me a cup of coffee to calm me down.

After Father finished the phone call, he came to me.

“It seemed someone told the lie. He forged proof of some embezzlement shit and sent it to the biggest broadcasting station and they distributed it to the others.”

I swallowed hard. As the tears poured, Trent kept trying to soothe me even though the last thing I wished for was to be in his arms.

“I don’t get it. Why would someone do something like that?” My stepmother asked. Angered and worried. I felt terrible for having to make everyone worried and distressed.

“I made calls and offers for it to be taken down. I’ll await their response.” Father said. I knew it was his way of assuring me that all would be well. However, I didn’t feel like it would happen anytime soon.

The whole pack was hurling curses at me right now. It would take a while to clear my name and make them love me again.

“Hello, family.” Tracy's beaming sound echoed in the living room. Well, at least someone was lively.

She greeted everyone. However, I couldn’t help but wonder how she had come in a few minutes after Trent did.

I shook my head off it. I was not in the mood to be worried about Trent’s infidelity.

“This mood is unwelcoming.” She said after the greetings.

“Read the room, Tracy.” Her mother chided her.

“Oh. You mean the news about big sis being a fraud. What’s the big deal? Dad would fix it. Besides, it’s not like the news is completely a lie. I mean, I love you Elena, but it'd be nice if you also told us the truth. You live a very luxurious life, it's suspicious. So rather than everyone pretending to be sad over it. You all should rather reprimand Elena for being such a greedy Luna.”

I glared hard at her.

“Tracy!” Father boomed out angrily. Causing her to startle.

“What?”

“Apologize to your sister!”

She gave me a once-over. Hissed. And walked away. Father was about to follow her. But I stopped him. Knowing it wasn’t worth it. She was the least of my problem right now.

Few minutes after waiting for a response, Father got one. And they refused to take it down despite the money offered.

It made me feel more hopeless.

“Trent, have you informed your father about the current development? Maybe he can help somehow?” Farher asked.

“No. Should I call him?” Trent was almost fussing his pocket for his phone.

“I’ll do it. Just stay here with Elena.”

Trent did as he was told. And Father got on the phone with Vince but he was away from earshot. A few minutes later, he came back.

“Did you speak with him?” My stepmother asked.

“Yes.” He had a solemn look that said it didn’t go well.

“What did he say?” Trent asked and my ears perked to listen.

“Vince says we only have two weeks to fix the mess. But he is already on it. He already has a proposed solution.”

Relief filled me. “What is it?” Trent asked.

“Well, he says it’s either the pack authorities interrogate Elena and prove her innocence to the people-“

“No way in hell! My mate wouldn’t be harassed like a thief. Doing that would only ruin her reputation the more.” Trent defended instantly. Making my heart flutter. But then it only lasted for seconds and dwindled.

“Well, the other option is for her to work for another company. One bigger than yours.” Father continued.

“How would that solve the issue?” My stepmother asked.

“It would show the media that we are unfazed by this crazy scandal. And if a big company hires you, their perfect reputation would be able to clear out your bad one."

“And what company has this per

fect reputation?" Trent asked.

“Your father’s. Elena would have to work as his personal business advisor in your father’s company.” Father ended, leaving me stunned.

Well, the universe be damned!