Chapter 94
First, a young scientist spoke out online, defending Evelyn.
He said he'd heard about what happened back then—Matthew had forcibly taken what he wanted, and Evelyn was innocent.
It was Matthew who'd used his methods to keep Evelyn by his side.
But his voice didn't create much of a ripple.
What really caught everyone's attention was the gradual disclosure of Evelyn's charity projects.
Only then did people discover that behind those famous charity initiatives, Evelyn's name appeared as a founder.
Over three years, she'd donated countless amounts. That educational assistance project that helped over a thousand girls in mountainous areas was single-handedly initiated by her.
Now, even more people spoke up for Evelyn.
[Oh my God, Evelyn is truly beautiful inside and out—these smears against her are completely unjust!]
[So all these projects were started by Evelyn? That education project I donate to every year was hers?]
[I can vouch for this. I'm a beneficiary of the mountain girls' charity project. Without this project, I probably would have dropped out and married early. Thank you, Evelyn.]
[Support Evelyn, speaking out for you!]
Combined with the earlier wave praising Evelyn's professionalism and the Perkins Group's official statement, many bystanders completely converted to fans.
Even some of the original internet trolls quietly deleted their previous comments.
In an instant, Evelyn's reputation soared.
Meanwhile, after releasing the exposé about Evelyn, Marigold was in an excellent mood.
She'd investigated thoroughly, deliberately choosing to publish when Matthew and Evelyn were both at the conference and unable to respond immediately.
Thinking of how Susan had previously wanted to make Evelyn her heir, she let out a cold laugh.
Susan despised those who clung to power and influence most of all.
After this exposé came out, Evelyn probably would never meet her standards again.
After working for half the day, everything was finally settled.
Marigold felt relaxed and booked a golf course, ready to unwind properly.
The sunlight was perfect on the course. After finishing a round, Marigold was slightly sweaty.
She took the water the caddy handed her. Just as she took a sip, her phone rang.
It was her father.
Her eyes lit up. Her father hadn't called her on his own initiative in a long time—what could it be about?
Could it be... her engagement with Matthew was back on?
Full of anticipation, she answered the call.
"Look at what you've done!"
The furious scolding stunned her.
"I told you not to provoke Matthew's people—why wouldn't you listen?"
"Now the entire internet is cursing you, dragging the Quinn Group down with you! You deal with it yourself!"
Her father hung up in a rage.
Marigold looked bewildered. She quickly opened her phone to check the online messages.
Only then did she discover the tide had completely turned.
From who knows where, Matthew had obtained materials and exposed all her previous nightclub photos.
Under dim lighting, she was intimate with different men, the scale so large even she couldn't bear to look.
She was innocent!
That time, she'd just been drugged and taken advantage of. She'd thought this matter would stay buried forever.
What shocked her even more was that Matthew had also published her detailed call records with Jack.
Those conversations plotting to frame Evelyn—not a word missing, crystal clear.
Now she was thoroughly nailed to the pillar of shame.
What made her both hate and rage was that Evelyn looked so ordinary, yet had done so much charity work behind the scenes that she couldn't even attack her.
Marigold sat in her chair, ashen-faced.
This time, she'd truly fallen.
Soon, the Quinn Group issued an announcement removing Marigold from all her positions.
Overnight, she went from the envied daughter of heaven to someone the entire internet chased to curse.
Evelyn knew nothing of all this happening.
After leaving the conference room, she didn't return to the hotel but took a cab alone to the beach.
The evening sea breeze blew gently, carrying a salty dampness.
The sunset filled the sky, orange-red and deep purple intertwining, beautiful beyond reality.
Flocks of seabirds flew past, their wings cutting through the air with soft fluttering sounds.
So beautiful. So free.
Freedom. This word leaped into Evelyn's heart and wouldn't fall away.
What she wanted had always been freedom. Recently, this desire had grown especially strong.
The fake death escape plan—she and Susan had discussed it at length and finally had a rough outline.
Susan said she would arrange a car accident and cliff plunge in the coming days, her body lost to the sea.
She would soon leave Matthew and start a new life.
Just as she was thinking, her phone rang.
"Eve! Great news! Public opinion has turned!" Monica's voice was so excited it kept rising. "I was still helping you find a lawyer, but we didn't even need to act—netizens defended you themselves!"
"And Matthew admitted in the official statement that he pursued you!"
"So satisfying! Those hoping you'd stumble in the dark must be disappointed!"
Evelyn froze.
Public opinion had turned?
She looked at her phone and only then realized so much had happened while she was walking on the beach.
Back at the hotel, Matthew rushed up anxiously. "Eve, where did you go? I looked everywhere and couldn't find you..."
"Just took a walk on the beach," Evelyn said flatly.
She'd put her phone on silent mode, and only certain numbers could get through. Matthew naturally wasn't among them.
Matthew sighed in relief.
"I'm glad you're okay," he said. "I'm sorry you got dragged into this again."
"I had the PR department issue an official statement. Public opinion has reversed."
"Everyone who hurt you has been punished too."
Evelyn looked at him expressionlessly.
"Matthew," she said, "are you hoping I'll thank you?"
Matthew froze.
"Honestly, I feel nothing inside," Evelyn's voice was calm. "Haven't you noticed that all the hardships I've experienced were brought by you?"
"If you hadn't clung to me, Marigold wouldn't have come after me at all. The child in my belly would have been born safely."
Matthew's face went pale.
"You probably had that exposé on Marigold long ago, right? But you only released it now." Evelyn looked at him. "I have no interest in hearing these things anymore. If you have any heart, let me go soon."
"I won't let go," Matthew stepped closer, pulling her into his arms, his voice resolute. "I'll use my actions to show you that I'm truly protecting you. That I truly love you."
Evelyn didn't struggle or respond.
"I canceled tomorrow's meeting," Matthew said. "I booked tickets to the underwater world."
"Let's go together, okay? I remember you mentioned before that you really wanted to see the beluga whales."
Evelyn didn't agree.
She just quietly pushed him away and went to wash up and sleep.