Chapter 225

Chapter 225

Looking at Alaric's hopeful gaze, Harper blushed but nodded firmly.

That very night, a post exploded across the entire internet.

The person who posted it was Elowen.

Some people appear glamorous on the surface but do the filthiest things behind the scenes. Stealing other people’s men, assuming other people’s identities, and climbing up by stepping on others. You think you've won? You think everyone will keep being deceived by you? The truth will always come to light.]

Attached was a blurry photo showing the backs of Harper and Alaric, who seemed to be standing side by side at some event.

The photo’s angle was tricky, deliberately chosen to appear ambiguous.

There was also a poster from Elysian’s studio, but Harper’s name was signed below it.

The moment this post went up, the comment section exploded.

[What does this mean?]

[Is Elowen talking about Harper? Did she steal Elowen’s man—Alaric?]

[Wait, what does "assuming other people’s identities" mean? Whose identity did Harper assume?]

[Designer Elysian? Isn't that the most mysterious master in design circles? What's the connection to Harper? She's not trying to say they're the same person, is she? How is that possible?]

[Is Elowen about to drop a bombshell? Explain clearly!]

[Harper is a homewrecker? Really?]

[I knew it! how could a divorced housewife suddenly make a comeback? Turns out she was impersonating someone!]

Elowen didn't post any more comments, but her post had already gone viral.

Marketing accounts sprang into action. Speculation, analysis, and deep dives flooded in.

#HarperInterferesInElowenAndAlaricsYearsLongRelationship

#HarperImpersonatesDesignerElysianToDeceiveThePublic

#HarperTrueIdentityExposed

#ExclusiveRevealHarperRiseToSuccess

Each headline was more exaggerated than the last, and each story more outrageous than the next.

Some dug up news from Harper’s divorce, claiming she was calculating and scheming

Some pulled out photos from her award ceremony, saying her "expression was fake" and "obviously put on."

Others found her old interviews, analyzing them word by word, trying to find evidence of her lies.

The comment section was even more toxic.

[Harper is so disgusting, stealing someone's man and assuming someone's identity. This kind of person can be a designer?]

[Elowen is so pitiful—she’s bullied like this and still getting cursed at.]

[Harper, get out of the design world! We don't welcome you!]

[Support Elowen! Support the truth!]

[I'm an Elysian fan. Don’t you dare impersonate her. Elysian's works have always been my favorites. Disgusting!]

Of course, there were also rational voices.

[Wait, where's the evidence? Just based on Elowen's word?]

[Didn't Elowen falsely accuse Harper of plagiarism before? Can we trust her?]

[Wait for evidence. Don't rush to curse.]

[Elowen herself is in detention. How credible are her words?]

But these voices were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming tide of criticism.

On the trending news lists, Harper’s name dominated everywhere.

Bianca looked at those trending topics, so angry that her hands trembled.
She slammed her phone on the desk, pacing back and forth in the office like a caged beast. "Harper! Look at what these people are saying! They know nothing but talk nonsense! What do they mean you're a homewrecker? Alaric has been single for years! What do they mean you're impersonating Elysian? You ARE Elysian! And that Elowen—she's been arrested but can still cause trouble. Wasn't her phone confiscated? How did she post?"

Harper sat on the sofa, holding a cup of tea, her expression as calm as still water. "Someone like her definitely has a backup phone. Even without one, she can find someone to post for her. She has money and connections. Posting something is simple for her."

Bianca panicked. "Then what do we do? The whole internet is cursing you! Some are even saying you're a fraud impersonating Elysian! But you're the real Elysian! Why don't you explain? If you just show the evidence, won't those people shut up?"

Harper set down her teacup and looked at her. "Bianca, do you think if I explain now, they'll believe me?"

Bianca froze.

Harper stood up and walked to the window.

Outside was the city's nightscape, neon lights flickering, the window reflecting her calm and beautiful face.

"Elowen deliberately posted this at this moment.I just went through a pile of trouble. , she was arrested too. In others' eyes, this looks like me stepping on them after winning. Now she comes out accusing me, many will believe her because I'm the 'beneficiary'. In their eyes, I won, so I must have used underhanded means."

Bianca listened, stunned. "Then... what do we do? Just let her spread rumors? Just watch them curse you?"

Harper shook her head, the corner of her mouth curving into a faint arc. "Let her spread rumors. The more she does this, the harder the slap when the truth comes out. The more viciously they curse now, the more spectacular the reversal will be."

She turned around, looking at Bianca. "What's happening in three days?"

Bianca thought for a moment. "The Annual Designer Gala?"

Harper nodded. "That stage will be the best place to explain. By then, everyone will know who the real Elysian is."

Bianca looked at her and suddenly smiled. Right—what could be more satisfying than publicly slapping faces?

As long as Harper had a plan, that was enough.

"Harper, do you want me to handle this?" Alaric soon called as well.

Harper directly refused and told him her plan. Only then did he give up the idea of immediately taking down all the rumor-mongers in one sweep.

Two days later, the Annual Designer Gala proceeded as scheduled.

This was the design world's biggest annual event. Every prominent designer would attend.

Red carpet, awards, banquet—each segment received tremendous attention.

This year, because of Elowen's exposé, the gala's viewership was more than ten times higher than previous years.

At the venue entrance, reporters crowded with cameras, layer upon layer, packed tight.

On streaming platforms, online viewers had already exceeded five million. Bullet comments flew rapidly—everyone was waiting to watch this drama unfold.

[Will Harper come?]

[Does she dare? Being cursed like that and still daring to show her face? Maybe she's guilty and hiding.]

[What about Elowen? Will Elowen come?]

[Wasn't Elowen arrested? How could she come?]

[Then what's there to watch today?]

[Wait for Harper—see how she explains.]

Amid the discussion, a black sedan slowly stopped at the end of the red carpet.

"Quick, Harper's here!"

Someone shouted, drawing everyone's attention.

Cameras raised, aimed at the direction where Harper was about to appear.

Under countless gazes, the car door opened. A foot in silver high heels extended first, followed by a moon-white evening gown.

The hem swept the ground, the fabric soft, casting a gentle halo under the lights.