Chapter 63 A Flood of Anger
After Della arranged for the photo of Elizabeth getting into Armando's car to be released, she still couldn't figure it out. "What's the point of this, Sherry? Elizabeth meeting Armando could easily be explained as business. "
Sherry's smile was slow and deliberate. "Della, yesterday the media ran a story about me and Armando being close to tying the knot. If, right now, a photo surfaces suggesting Elizabeth is clinging to him... what do you think will happen? "
Whether it was true or not—who cared? All it took was a little push, and the online crowd tore her apart..
Just as Sherry predicted, the internet lit up.
[They're divorced. Each living their own life. Why can't Miss Penrose leave Armando alone?]
[Shameless. She's a disgrace to women everywhere.]
[Armando belongs to Sherry. Elizabeth, back off.]
The trending topic had shifted entirely: Elizabeth was now the villain, accused of lacking dignity in a world where women prided themselves on independence.
Della considered it for a moment. It wasn't exactly a scandal—just strangers insulting Elizabeth online. "I'll get some people to steer the comments. "
At a quiet corner table in a restaurant, Mabel scrolled her phone and saw the trending post. She slid it across to Elizabeth. "Look at this. You and Armando... you were never meant to be. "
Elizabeth's gaze flicked over the screen. She gave a short laugh, sliced into her steak, and lifted it to her lips. "Finish up. We're going to Dream House. "
Mabel grinned, already sensing trouble.
Elizabeth's counterattack was fast, ruthless.
They left the restaurant and headed to Dream House.
On a red velvet sofa, Elizabeth lounged with her legs crossed, her waist a graceful curve. Her shirt hung open just enough at the collar to hint at skin, her posture relaxed yet charged with allure. On either side of her sat tall, well-built men, both impossibly handsome.
Elizabeth lazily took out her phone and handed it to Mabel. "Take a picture. Make sure you get both of them in. "
She smiled and posted it to her Instagram with the caption: [Once you throw out the trash, do you really go digging it back up? Only the dumpster would have him.]
Mabel was the first to like the post. The two men beside Elizabeth followed suit.
Meanwhile, in his office, Tom stepped in. "Mr. Johnson, your meeting with Ms. Penrose was photographed and is now trending. "
Armando's eyes narrowed. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't make waves—it was just a meeting. "Ms. Penrose is being attacked online. Also, Miss Scott called. She says she won't be returning to Silverlight City for now. "
Armando frowned. Was this Elizabeth's way of provoking Sherry? Either way, the story would fade in a couple of days.
"It's nothing. Ignore it. Push tomorrow's schedule back—I'm going to Harmony City. "
Tom suspected Armando was heading there to smooth things over with Sherry. He was about to leave when another trending alert flashed on his tablet.
Elizabeth's Instagram post: [Once you throw out the trash, do you really go digging it back up? Only the dumpster would have him.]
Outside Dream House, a silver sedan idled.
Inside, Timothy loosened his tie, his eyes cool, detached. He'd finished at the hospital, sat through a company meeting, and now let his posture sink into the seat.
Joe glanced at Elizabeth's post and cleared his throat. "Mr. Robinson, Miss Penrose has already handled the online situation herself. "
Timothy smirked. "That's my Elizabeth. And keep pushing the takeover of the Johnson Group. "
Joe, reluctant to comment on Elizabeth's methods, stuck to the second point. "Yes, I'll inform the team. "
The Johnson Group was no small target. Armando wasn't a fool—his company was stacked with talent. Swallowing it whole would take time.
"Do you want to see Miss Penrose's post for yourself? " Joe asked carefully.
Timothy lifted his gaze, pulled out his phone, and scrolled through Instagram. No anger crossed his face. He pocketed the phone, opened the car door, and stepped out.
Joe followed.
Inside Dream House, Timothy spotted Elizabeth laughing with the men beside her. "What's the conversation? I want in. "
A hand landed on her shoulder.
Elizabeth turned her head, meeting Timothy's eyes. He leaned down, his jaw resting on her shoulder, his face close enough for his breath to warm her skin. His fingers traced the curve of her neck, slow and deliberate.
Elizabeth tilted her head back, a shiver running through her.
Joe approached Mabel, gesturing politely for her to step outside. Mabel, eyes wide at the intimate scene, was ushered out before she could watch more.
Other guests were cleared from the room, though some stole glances at the tall man bent over Elizabeth's neck. They couldn't see his face clearly, but a few recognized hers instantly.
The music kept playing.
Timothy's lips lingered along the line of her throat. He chuckled softly. "Elizabeth, before you lost your memory, we were already together. "
She met his gaze, steady. "Move your hand off my neck. "
He released her, circled the sofa, and sat beside her. Pouring two glasses of wine, he handed her one. "Drink? "
They clinked glasses. She sipped, her lips deepening in color.
Timothy set his glass down, took hers away, and let his fingers drift to her thigh. Her legs hooked around his waist—just as he'd once told her they used to.
Pulling her closer, his voice dropped low. "This music... doesn't it make you feel it? "
The beat thudded like a pulse against the air.
For a moment, Elizabeth's eyes went unfocused, caught in the rhythm.
An hour later, she was in Timothy's arms, carried out of Dream House.
A new trending post appeared almost immediately: #Elizabeth and her current boyfriend are deeply in love
The photo showed Timothy's tall frame bending into the car, Elizabeth's half-smiling face turned toward the camera. His face was hidden in shadow, blurred.
Armando's grip on his tablet tightened. He knew instantly that the man carrying her was Timothy.
Elizabeth... back with Timothy? His jaw clenched, veins standing out on the back of his hand.
She'd lost her memory. She wasn't supposed to have anything to do with Timothy anymore.
Armando thought back to the photo his man had taken outside Faith Residence. He'd assumed Timothy was there to see Mabel.
Now, anger flooded through him, sharp and unrelenting.