Chapter 207
One post titled [A Certain Talented Woman Explodes in Popularity Again—Her Unknown Social Circle] began circulating on a small scale.
It contained numerous photos of me being picked up and dropped off in luxury cars, as well as entering and leaving certain elite clubs.
The men beside me were different each time.
There was the son of a famous real estate conglomerate's CEO, a financial talent who'd returned from overseas, and even a married big shot from the venture capital world.
All these men were either wealthy or noble, with complex networks and tremendous power.
At first, I didn't pay attention—the post's content was too absurd. Anyone with a brain wouldn't believe it.
But I hadn't expected developments to exceed my expectations.
Not only did my parents learn about it, even Amelia also came to ask me indirectly. Whether meeting so many big shots meant I was planning to start a business.
I quickly explained, "It's not true. I've been home these past few days. How could I have met these people?"
"Then where did these photos come from?" Amelia was surprised. "Were they all photoshopped? But a Photoshop expert came forward and verified these photos are all originals with no traces of editing."
"Even if they're real, the person in the photos isn't me." I circled two photos. "Of all the photos, only these two are real—my dad's car is real."
Amelia finally believed me, but still reminded me. "Cindy, you need to find a way to clarify this quickly. Otherwise, I'm worried this public opinion wave will affect the Wipere family."
Her words made me suddenly remember when I'd been besieged by public opinion before Leopold and I separated. "Okay, I understand."
After hanging up, I contacted the private investigator I'd worked with before.
[Help me trace the source of this news. The more detailed, the better. Price is no issue.]
The private investigator replied instantly: [I'll get back to you within ten minutes.]
After putting down my phone, I went to find my dad in the study again.
Recently, to better care for me, he hadn't even gone to the office, moving all his work to the study.
Seeing me, he immediately understood why I'd come. "You're here about handling the online rumors?"
I nodded. "Dad, do you know all these people?"
My dad nodded. "I was just planning to contact them and have them issue joint statements to clarify."
His strong support made me feel warm.
"Thank you, Dad. But hold off on your statement. I've already had a private investigator trace the photo source."
Just then, the private investigator called back.
"Ms. Wipere, the photo source is a fake ID. I tried digging deeper, but the other party is extremely cautious. All transaction records have been wiped clean. It feels like someone is specifically targeting you."
This result didn't surprise me.
After thinking, I added, "Then help me check what Sophia's been doing these past few days."
The private investigator immediately said, "Funny you should ask—she was my first thought too. But she's been in the hospital these past few days and hasn't left. It probably isn't her."
Sophia being in the hospital didn't mean she couldn't cause trouble.
"Did you find out about Sophia's condition?"
Mentioning this, the private investigator's voice dropped noticeably. "I couldn't get specific information, but according to rumors I heard, she had a miscarriage, and the baby was the Percy family's."
Right after saying this, he suddenly realized something was wrong and quickly explained. "Ms. Wipere, I didn't mean to discuss the Percy family's private matters. Just pretend you didn't hear that, okay?"
His ability to uncover Sophia's secret meant his information sources were quite good.
So I gave him another task. "Can you find out who the 'me' in those photos actually is?"
"That's a bit difficult, but I can try. If I can't find out, I won't charge you."
After hanging up, I told my dad what the private investigator had discovered.
"Cindy, this news must be clarified quickly. Specific details can be investigated later, but your reputation can't be damaged."
"Okay. But Dad, I want to go out."
My dad glanced at me. "So late—who are you going to see?"
Seeing his suspicious look, I quickly explained, "I'm not going to see Leopold. Amelia just contacted me about this matter. I want to explain it to her in person."
Only then did my dad agree. "Take Tammy and the bodyguards Leopold arranged."
"No problem."
I left with Tammy and two bodyguards.
Halfway there, I had the driver change course to the hospital where Sophia was staying.
"Ms. Wipere, going to the hospital so late—are you feeling unwell?" Tammy quickly asked.
"No, I'm visiting a friend." I hadn't planned to hide it from them and answered honestly.
Tammy seemed doubtful but didn't press further.
The bodyguards, however, hearing my words, secretly pulled out their phones to report.
When the car stopped at the hospital's inpatient building, I got out and instructed the bodyguards, "All of you come up with me."
Sophia's room wasn't hard to find.
Reaching her floor, as I approached, I heard her furious voice.
"David, what do you mean? The baby's gone, so I'm worthless? In your eyes, I'm just a breeding machine!"
I was slightly surprised. David had previously been willing to divorce Harper for Sophia's sake.
Now that the baby was gone, he didn't want Sophia anymore?
Just then, Sophia's voice suddenly softened.
"...That's more like it. I'm still young and pure. Having a son is just a matter of time..."
I was secretly shocked. Sophia had been placated that easily?
After waiting a while and hearing no more from Sophia, I continued forward.
There were no bodyguards outside Sophia's door.
"Tammy, wait for me at the door."
"Okay." Tammy tactfully stopped at the entrance.
I led the bodyguards inside.
Sophia recognized me immediately and darkened her expression, demanding, "This is my hospital room. Who gave you permission to enter? All of you, get out!"
I stood by her bed and said coldly, "After I've finished my business, I'll leave naturally."
Sophia's face tightened, the look in her eyes full of venom. "Lucinda, don't think I'll be afraid just because you brought people! You killed my child. I'll make you pay back this debt many times over."
"You'll need the ability to do that first." I leisurely sat in a chair, crossing my legs. "I came today for another matter."
Sophia's face turned livid with anger, but seeing the two burly bodyguards beside me, she had to swallow her rage. "What is it?"
"Look at this." I took out my phone, pulled up that post, and had a bodyguard hand it to her.
Sophia glanced at it and immediately sneered, "Serves you right for juggling multiple men! This is your comeuppance!"
I ignored her sarcasm and looked at her coldly. "This was your doing, wasn't it?"
Sophia's expression changed slightly. The next second, she flew into a rage from embarrassment. "Lucinda, what makes you think I did this? Do you have proof?"
"Let me tell you—don't think I'm afraid of you just because Leopold backs you up. Slander carries legal consequences. If it comes to that, Leopold might not be able to protect you."
A crisp slap rang out.