Chapter 24 The Viral Storm**
Evelyn woke up feeling slightly sore, but surprisingly relaxed. It was already past noon. After getting dressed, she went downstairs, her stomach growling.
Mrs. Hartwell had prepared a light lunch. Evelyn was halfway through her meal when her phone rang loudly, startling her. It was Lena.
She answered cheerfully, but was met by her friend’s panicked voice.
"Evelyn! Have you seen the news? Get on social media now!"
Frowning, Evelyn ended the call and opened a news app. Her blood ran cold.
Trending at number one, with dozens of articles and videos, were headlines that made her stomach lurch:
"The Hayes Heiress Betrays Sister, Seduces Fiancé's Uncle in Shocking Scandal!"
"Evelyn Hayes: The Mastermind Behind a Twisted Love Triangle?"
"From Fiancée to Aunt: The Vicious Plot That Rocked High Society!"
"Maya Hayes Heartbreaking Plea—Forgiveness for Her 'Lost' Sister!"
Her hand trembled as she clicked on one of the articles. The story was a work of cruel fiction. It painted her as a jealous, calculating woman who had set up her own sister and fiancé, recorded them, and then used the footage to cover up her own affair with “Nathan’s uncle”—an affair that had left her “conveniently” pregnant.
The narrative was so airtight that even if she released the actual recording of their affair, it would look like staged footage. They had made her the villain and Maya the innocent victim.
Not only that, Maya, using her actress platform, had posted a tearful video: “Please, everyone, stop attacking my sister,” she said with a shaky voice, her eyes glistening. “She’s going through a lot. I just want my family back…” The comments below were a flood of support for Maya and utter hatred for Evelyn.
‘Die Evelyn, you trash!’
‘How can someone be so evil and manipulative?’
‘Maya is an angel. Someone like Evelyn is better off dead in the society.’
‘Crazy and dirty things really do happen in the world of the rich’
Right at that moment, while she was scrolling through the vicious comments with trembling fingers, her phone rang. It was Roman calling. She took a deep breath and answered.
"Are you okay?" He said steadily but she could hear a bit of tension underneath.
"I'm fine," she said, surprising herself with how calm she sounded.
“Since you picked up quickly, I assume you’ve seen the news,” he stated. “Get off your phone. I’m handling it.”
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard him, but she decided to do it her way.
"No," Evelyn said firmly. "Let me handle this my way."
There was a pause at the other end for a while. "Are you sure?"
“Yes. I need you to promise you won’t interfere.”
Another longer pause. "Okay." His tone softened. “But I'll advise you to stay off social media for now, it's not good for your mental health.”
Before she could say anything, he continued, “What would you like me to get for you on my way home?”
The unexpected, ordinary question cut through her numbness. "What?"
“You heard me. I’m asking what you want. You can’t say ‘nothing.’ Name something.”
She thought for a moment, her mind grasping for something simple, and normal. “A cake. From Magnolia’s Bakery on Oak Street.”
But then she remembered how crowded that place usually gets. “Wait, that place is usually crowded, if you can—”
She heard his faint smile. “That’s all?” He sounded amused. “Be good. Wait for me.”
After hanging up, Evelyn realized she was smiling. She felt calm—perfectly, unbelievably calm. She didn't want Roman to simply use his power to bury the story. That wouldn't clear her name, just let the poison fester in people's minds.
No, she wanted more. Complete vindication. She wanted to destroy Maya's carefully crafted saintly image and turn this viral storm back on them with double the force.
She immediately called Lena back. "I'm coming over."
When James appeared to drive her, she was surprised. "I thought you worked for Roman?"
"My orders are to serve you now, Madam," he replied with a polite nod.
A genuine smile touched her lips. "Take me to Lena's apartment."
–
At Lena's, her friend pulled her inside worriedly. "Are you okay? That bitch Maya... How did she get all these media outlets to run her story?"
"Combined effort," Evelyn said, setting down her bag. "Probably my father, Claire, and Nathan trying to salvage something." Her eyes sharpened. "We need to combine our efforts too. Do you still have your tech skills?"
Lena's worried expression melted into a sly grin. "Oh, this is going to be so fun."
They spent the day working together, heads bent over laptops.
–
By evening, James drove her back to the mansion. Roman's car was in the driveway, but the house felt quiet. Evelyn checked the living room and study room, it was empty. A strange sense of disappointment flickered in her chest. She realized she’d been expecting to see him.
She was halfway up the stairs when the housekeeper called out to her. "Madam, the Young Master is at the indoor pool at the back.”
Evelyn asked, perplexed "There's a pool?"
"Yes, Madam. Would you like me to show you?”
The housekeeper led her through elegant glass doors to a stunning pool area, softly lit and shimmering. Roman was cutting through the water with powerful strokes.
Evelyn stood quietly for a moment watching him.
He surfaced at the far end, pushing his wet hair back, and spotted her.
He motioned for her to sit at the edge. She did, kicking off her shoes and dangling her feet in the warm water.
"Can you swim?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then come in."
Without overthinking, she stripped to her underwear and slipped into the water. Roman smiled—a rare, easy expression—and pulled her gently toward him.
As they floated together, he got straight to business. "What's your plan?"
"It's a secret," she said, trying to swim away.
He caught her effortlessly, arms locking around her waist. "I'll give you space, but if this isn't resolved by tomorrow, I'm taking over. I can't stand others bullying my wife."
She thought for a while then replied "Give me three days," she bargained, turning in his arms.
He studied her face, seeing the determination there. "Okay. But you'll have to appease my anger first."
"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
In answer, he captured her lips in a deep, lingering kiss right there in the middle of the glowing blue water.