Chapter 224: Outrageous Rumors
I looked at Lucas's tense, anxious face and nodded in agreement.
Lucas's eyes instantly lit up, as if he'd received the most precious pardon in the world.
After I lay down, he gently moved closer to me, reaching out to hold me, not daring to hold me too tightly.
Keeping a slight distance, his palm rested lightly on my still-flat belly, his gaze focused and tender.
I didn't push him away. After being apart for so many days, I realized I had missed him too.
Meanwhile, Diana had lost Stephen's favor, and her status plummeted.
Stephen had only indulged Diana all these years to tarnish his own reputation. I guessed he was now ready to make his move against the Thornfield family, so Diana was no longer useful to him.
But in Diana's view, as long as her face could be restored, she could win Stephen back.
After Diana was kicked out of the recovery area, she heard about Michelle and cleverly figured out who to target.
She grabbed Michelle, tied her up at the entrance of Elysian Glow Beauty Salon, cursing her for being heartless and stupid, cursing her for being cruel and vicious while mocking her for having nothing.
After cursing for a whole day, Diana couldn't wait to find me, bringing along a box of jewelry.
Inside were several sets of expensive jewelry, which she said Michelle had given her before.
These pieces all belonged to Nicole and had been taken by Michelle five years ago.
Although more and more items were being recovered now, quite a few treasures were still out there.
I accepted the jewelry but still didn't treat Diana's face. I gave her a small bottle of ointment and sent her away.
Diana had no choice but to continue torturing Michelle, doubling down on her cruelty.
She had been close to Michelle before and knew many of her secrets, which she now spilled completely.
Like how Michelle used fake antiques in charity auctions, or how she befriended people and used shell companies to trick them into investing, privately mocking them for being rich but stupid. Or how when a certain lady had mocked her, she hired thugs to harass her and spread dirty rumors at her school.
There was also poisoning, selling fake medicine, and running a hot spring resort that provided a place for several cheating couples in their circle to have affairs.
Some of these things might not have all been done by Michelle—Diana might have been the mastermind—but she didn't care whether people believed her or not, pushing all the blame onto Michelle.
Karen heard about Diana and Michelle's situation and wanted to watch the drama unfold, inviting me to go with her.
I also wanted to tell her about my pregnancy, so I agreed.
Lucas helped me out the door, protected me getting in and out of the car. If I frowned slightly or coughed, his whole body would tense up.
"Why are you so nervous?" I said helplessly. "Aren't you busy?"
"Work isn't as important as you," Lucas said.
"Don't treat me like I'm fragile and will break at the slightest touch!" I pushed him away in frustration.
At the coffee shop, I ordered an orange juice. Lucas thought there was too much ice and asked the server to bring a hot one instead.
I refused.
"It's so hot out, I just want something cool!"
Lucas had no choice but to take a small spoon and scoop out all the ice cubes from the glass. Only when the glass felt just slightly cool to the touch did he hand it to me.
I rolled my eyes.
Seeing this, Karen said in surprise, "Lucas, Bella can drink whatever she wants. You're being too controlling!"
I was about to speak when Lucas seriously countered Karen, "Bella's body is very fragile right now. We must be careful."
Karen's face turned pale. "Very fragile? Bella, are you sick?"
"No!" I quickly explained. "I'm just pregnant!"
"Since when is pregnancy a disease?" Karen blinked, standing up in delighted surprise. "Pregnant! Oh my God, Bella, congratulations!"
Usually Karen and I had endless things to talk about, but today Lucas was there too. He inserted himself between us, conspicuously interrupting us.
Later when Karen and I went shopping, Lucas followed me step by step. I felt awkward, bought a few pieces of clothing, and went home.
I didn't expect the rumors to spread like wildfire—in less than half a day, they were everywhere.
The next day, Jonas came to find me. "Bella, I heard you have a terminal illness!"
Good thing I wasn't drinking water, or I definitely would have choked.
Jonas's eyes were red as he anxiously looked me over. "You look pretty healthy though?"
"Of course I'm healthy!" I held my forehead, laughing helplessly. "What did you hear?"
Jonas said, "Yesterday someone saw you and Lucas at the mall."
I waved my hand, clarifying, "I don't have a terminal illness. I'm just pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Jonas stared at me blankly.
This news was undoubtedly another kind of blow to him.
"Congratulations." Jonas clutched his chest, seeming unable to accept it, and rushed out looking lost. "I'm heartbroken."
"Jonas, wait." I twitched my lips, trying to stop him, when my phone rang.
The caller ID showed Roger.
"Isabella, I heard you had a miscarriage?" Roger asked in disbelief.
"No! It's all rumors!" I explained wearily.
After figuring out what was going on, Roger burst into wild laughter.
I hung up expressionlessly, stayed silent for three seconds, and took a deep breath.
Lucas walked in, asking with confusion and nervousness, "Bella, what's wrong?"
"Nothing!" I answered through gritted teeth.
I'd settle accounts with Lucas later.
Right now, before the rumors got even more ridiculous, I had to clarify things quickly!
After that, I received concerned calls from my brothers, as well as calls from Harold, Ashley, and Arthur.
I posted the happy news of my pregnancy on my social media account. Platinum Haven Hotel immediately reposted it with their official account, holding a giveaway to celebrate while promoting at the same time.
Lucas responded in a high-profile manner, spending five million dollars on several online giveaways where netizens just had to leave congratulatory comments to be eligible.
He seemed to want the whole world to know he was going to be a father.
My brothers weren't to be outdone either. For several days in a row, the internet was buzzing.
Michelle's situation was the complete opposite of mine.
Diana tortured her day and night, then presented me with more and more expensive gifts. I finally relented and agreed to treat her face.
After getting the medicine, Diana was overjoyed. She found a place to recover and left Michelle at the beauty salon, not caring about her anymore.
But Michelle didn't escape her suffering because of this.
The beauty salon's victims, plus all those scandals Diana had exposed—there was a whole line of people waiting to settle scores with her!
I patiently waited for a while, wanting to know who had been secretly helping Michelle, but that person never made another move. They probably thought Michelle had no value anymore and abandoned her.
Michelle went to find Amelia, wanting Amelia to pay for her treatment.
But Amelia was no longer the fool who obeyed her every word. Not only did she kick Michelle out, but she was also determined to sever their mother-daughter relationship.
How could Michelle be willing to accept that?
She lingered at the door of Amelia's rented apartment. The two quarreled endlessly every day. Neighbors kept complaining, and the landlord couldn't take it anymore and eventually kicked Amelia out.
Michelle and Amelia became homeless. I heard this news when I was exactly five months pregnant.
The mayoral election voting had been going on intensely for over half a month. There were still six days until the results would be announced.