Chapter 92 Chapter 92: Public Reckoning

Chapter 92 Chapter 92: Public Reckoning

MARTHA’S POV

My phone rang while I poured coffee in the kitchen. Martha still slept upstairs after our intense night together. I glanced at the screen and saw Elias’s name. The lawyer never called this early unless something demanded immediate attention. I answered on the second ring.

“Hey Elias, what is going on?”

“Garrison, there is a video circulating online. It shows Violet confronting Martha outside your office building yesterday. The harassment is loud and public. People are sharing it fast. The comments are brutal toward Martha. I thought you should see it right away.”

My stomach tightened. “Send me the link.”

The message arrived seconds later. I clicked it and turned the volume low. The footage started shaky but quickly focused on Violet marching toward Martha. Her voice carried clearly through the phone speaker.

“You stole my husband, you homewrecker. While I lay in a hospital bed losing our baby, you spread your legs for him like a cheap whore.”

The camera caught the growing crowd, the gasps, the phones held high. Martha stood tall despite the obvious embarrassment on her face. She stepped closer to Violet and spoke with clear strength.

“You are lying and everyone here can see it. I met Garrison once and did not know he was married. He told me the marriage was over. I never chased him. I never broke up your home. You want to blame someone for your problems, look in the mirror instead of attacking a pregnant woman in public.”

The exchange continued. Violet threw more accusations. Martha fired back, voice rising so the whole crowd heard. She mentioned the lost baby from stress and abuse, defended our love, and told Violet to stay away. By the end, many onlookers nodded in support of Martha while Violet appeared rattled. Still, the damage spread online. Comments flooded in under the video.

“Homewrecker exposed.”

“Typical side chick behavior.”

“Poor Violet lost her baby because of this woman.”

I gripped the counter until my knuckles turned white. Rage burned through me. These strangers knew nothing about the real story. They had no idea Violet slept with my father while we were still married. They did not know she destroyed our marriage long before Martha entered my life.

I called Elias back immediately. “I need this handled. The video needs to come down where possible. We issue a statement. Martha is not the villain here. Violet cheated on me with my own father. That is why the marriage ended. Martha had nothing to do with the breakup. I want defamation cases considered against the worst commenters if we can trace them. Protect her reputation at all costs. This cannot affect her position at the company or her safety.”

Elias paused on the other end. “Understood. I will start with takedown requests and draft a public statement from you. We can spin this in your favor and set the record straight. It might take some work, but we can bury the worst of it.”

“Good. Keep me updated every step.”

I ended the call and paced the kitchen. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Martha appeared in the doorway, hair messy from sleep and wearing one of my shirts. She looked beautiful and vulnerable at the same time. She must have overheard part of the conversation.

“What is going on?” she asked quietly. “I heard you talking about videos and lawsuits.”

I set the phone down and walked over to her. I pulled her into my arms and held her close. “Violet’s confrontation yesterday at the office got recorded. The video is spreading online. People are calling you names without knowing the full truth. I am fixing it. Elias is already on it.”

Martha pulled back slightly and searched my face. “Garrison, it is just an online video. People have opinions about everything. You cannot fight every comment. It will blow over.”

I shook my head. “No. I will not let them drag your name through the mud. You defended yourself perfectly in that footage. You stood strong while she attacked you. But the narrative online paints you as the homewrecker. That is not true. Our marriage was already over because Violet chose my father. She had an affair with him. You came into my life after that. I refuse to let lies stick to you or our family.”

She touched my arm, her expression soft but worried. “You are doing too much. I can handle some gossip. We both know what really happened.”

“I know you can handle it,” I said firmly. “But you should not have to. You are carrying our child. You work hard at the office. You have already endured enough from Violet. I am protecting what is mine. We are issuing a statement today. I will explain everything publicly if needed. The marriage ended because of Violet’s actions, not yours. People need to hear the facts.”

I guided her to the couch and opened the video again, this time with her beside me. We watched it together. Martha winced at Violet’s cruel words but straightened when her own responses played. Pride swelled in my chest. She had been magnificent under pressure.

“See?” I said. “You handled her. Now I will handle the rest.”

My phone buzzed with updates from Elias. He had secured initial takedowns on major platforms and drafted a statement. I read it aloud to Martha.

“Garrison Black clarifies: My previous marriage ended due to my ex-wife’s infidelity with my father. Martha entered my life afterward with honesty and love. Any harassment toward her will face legal consequences.”

Martha listened quietly. “It feels extreme, but thank you. I do feel safer knowing you have my back like this.”

I kissed her deeply, pouring my frustration and love into it. She responded with equal warmth, her fingers curling into my shirt. When we broke apart, I made calls while she prepared breakfast. I spoke with Elias again, refining the statement and approving legal notices to the worst accounts spreading lies. I reached out to key contacts at the company to ensure internal support for Martha. No one would question her position.

Hours passed in a blur of strategy. Elias worked efficiently. By midday several versions of the video disappeared. Positive comments started appearing after our statement went live. People who knew the fuller story began sharing facts. The worst trolls quieted under the threat of action.

Martha stayed close through it all. She brought me fresh coffee and rubbed my shoulders while I worked. In the afternoon we sat on the couch again and checked the latest results. The scandal had lost momentum. Our side of the story gained traction.

“You really swept it under the carpet,” she said with a small smile. “I thought it would rage longer.”

“I told you I would protect you.” I pulled her onto my lap and wrapped my arms around her waist. “No one gets to hurt you or our family without consequences. Not Violet. Not strangers online. This is our life now. We control the narrative.”

She rested her head on my shoulder. “I love how fiercely you defend us. Just promise me we will not let this consume us. We have a baby coming. We have each other. That matters more than any video.”

“I promise.” I stroked her back and breathed her in. “The statement is out. The legal team is monitoring. Violet’s stunt backfired. People see her for what she is now.”