Chapter 16 Behind the Rumor
The photo shocked Rossie.
"This is a photo of her stretch marks after pregnancy, and it belongs to Lily. She gave birth at Veridia," wrote Marcus.
Rossie enlarged the photo and shook her head, then wrote again.
"So she went for plastic surgery to remove the stretch marks on her stomach instead of pursuing a career? Huh! She's so clever to hide it."
Rossie felt relieved after hearing the news.
"That's good," she said with mixed feelings.
"What's good about it? Cheating is still cheating. Are you trying to accept something you shouldn't have?" Marcus clearly didn't want his sister to continue being soft on Bryce and wanted to bring her back to reality.
She laughed cynically. "You misunderstand. I don't love Bryce anymore. I'm just relieved that he never touched me during our marriage."
Remembering Bryce and Lily's affair, and how that woman actually made Rossie feel disgusted.
"Hah, now it's his turn to feel what it's like to be betrayed!" Marcus snorted. "That idiot deserves it. He left you, my sister, the richest girl in Aether City, with beauty and intelligence, for a whore!"
"Huh! Wealth can't change Bryce." Rossie smiled coldly as bitterness enveloped her heart. She had loved Bryce for years. Letting him go would take time, but she knew she would never love Bryce again, no matter what.
"That cheap whore is showing her teeth. We should spread this information to teach her a lesson!" Marcus was eager to take advantage of this opportunity and bring Lily down.
"Save the best for last." Rossie furrowed her brows and smiled cynically. "We only bring out the big guns at the right time. That's how you destroy someone."
Bryce escorted Lily into his office under the gaze of everyone in the building. As soon as the door closed behind them, Rossie jumped into his arms, crying. "Thank you for coming to pick me up, Bryce. I was so scared..."
Bryce's eyes were unreadable as he pushed her away.
"Bryce..." Lily began to feel confused.
"Why did you do that?" His tone was cold, his gaze no less frightening.
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you go to Aether Daily and tell them about our marriage?"
She sighed in relief and tried to hug him again. "Because I want to marry you. Don't you want to marry me?"
"I do, but what you did was inappropriate." His expression remained firm.
"What was inappropriate? You and Rossie are already divorced!"
"There are still procedures we have to follow. I also promised Grandma that we would officially divorce after her birthday."
Bryce stepped back to avoid Rossie. "Legally, she is still my wife. By revealing this news, some people will be unhappy, especially Grandma. How will you win her heart? "
Bryce was very careful and always considered the pros and cons of an action; however, this clearly upset Lilt.
" Who is unhappy? Do you feel sorry for Rossie because everyone on the internet calls her a cheater? Do you feel sorry for her?"
"I don't feel sorry for her, but Rossie isn't just some other woman. This shouldn't have happened." Bryce rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.
"What do you mean? She's the third person in our relationship!" Lily stamped her foot angrily, and her high-pitched scream caused a new wave of pain to flash across his temples.
"We could have been together long ago if it weren't for her! It's all her fault! She took my place by your side for three years! "
" It's because Rossie was my wife in name for three years that Grandma acted that way. Without her, there's no way we could have been together."
His own words touched her heart. It was true. Would Grandma have allowed him to be with Rossie if Lily hadn't left after three years?
That woman was always the first to greet him with a smile when he came home. She helped him take off his clothes and prepared his bath. She took care of everything without saying a word so as not to disturb him. She never argued, cried, or made a fuss. Not a single word of complaint came out of her mouth even after she signed the divorce papers.
Rossie might have chosen to leave with Dominic, but it couldn't be denied that she had fulfilled her duties as a wife during their three years of marriage. But Bryce didn't care.
"Bryce, are you... taking her side?" Lily was surprised.
"No, I'm just stating the facts." At that moment, Bryce's cell phone rang. It was his grandmother. He opened the door wide to talk to Steven, who was standing guard outside. "Steve, get someone to take Mrs. Jones home."
"Yes, Mr. Bryce." Steven motioned for Lily to leave.
"Bryce! I don't want to go... I'm scared!" She hugged Bryce's arm with tears in her eyes.
"Don't be afraid. Don't accept any media interviews. I'll take care of the rest." Bryce escorted her out of the office with a straight face. After the door finally closed behind him, he picked up his grandmother's phone while grimacing from a headache.
"Grandma."
"Bryce Johansen! You broke your promise. Do you want to marry that woman so badly?" Lucia hissed angrily. "Marry Miss Jones and I'll kick you out of this family!"
"The news was spread by the media, Grandma. It has nothing to do with me."
"This must be Miss Jones' doing. She's anxious because you're not in a rush to get married. That's why she took preventive measures! "
" It's not Lily. You misunderstand her. "Bryce felt his headache getting worse. After loosening his tie, he leaned against the wall to support himself enough to reach the sofa and sit down.
" I don't want you to marry Lily! You'd better make up with Rossie!" Grandma exclaimed firmly.
"Didn't you say I could choose for myself after three years?" Sweat beaded on Bryce's forehead as his breathing became irregular. "Rossie and I... It's over. I want Lily to be my wife."
"You foolish boy. I won't rest until the day you regret losing Alice!" Lucia hung up the phone.
Bryce exhaled heavily as he approached his desk with his hands on his head to take painkillers. Steven, who had just dropped Lily off, saw him.
"Are you okay, Mr. Bryce? Do you have a headache again?"
"I'm fine." Bryce sat down and closed his eyes while massaging his swollen temples.
"Constantly relying on painkillers isn't good for you. Wasn't it Madam Rossie who always massaged you?
Steven sighed deeply." If she were still here, you would definitely be able to sleep soundly. "
" Stop talking about her." Bryce breathed in frustration.
"Mr. Bryce, I've sent someone to investigate this matter." Steven looked hesitant to speak.
"Tell me!"
"The person behind the two social media accounts that exposed Mrs. Rossie's scandal is... Miss Jones."
Bryce suddenly tensed up, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. I've verified it repeatedly," Steven muttered. "Is everything that happened just a coincidence? All the rumors were exposed right after your marriage was announced, like something planned."