Chapter 238

Dylan’s POV

Hudson Group.

"Vivian, why did you make the divorce public? Do you have any idea how much this announcement is going to hurt Allen? Do you even care about our son at all?" I asked, my voice edged with anger.

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a scoff from Vivian.

"Dylan, I gave you plenty of time. It’s been months since the judgment was finalized. Have you said a single word to Allen about it?"

I was rendered speechless.

Her voice turned cold as she cut right through me. "You never did. Do you think hiding it from him is for the best? Or do you think he’ll be hurt less when he finds out on his own once he’s older? Or perhaps, you just didn't want to face the reality, didn't want to be the 'bad guy,' so you dumped all the pressure on me?"

"And what right do you have to blame me? When Allen used to hate me and curse at me, did you ever correct him? No."

Vivian’s voice grew even frostier. "When Hazel was pulling strings behind my back to alienate me from Allen, did you notice? Did you stop her? You didn't. You even thought she was kind-hearted and doing what was best for Allen. Dylan, that is your failure as a husband and a father."

"You chose silence, you chose to run away, and you expected everyone to revolve around you, waiting for your decisions. For these past five years, you have been the most selfish one of all."

She paused, seemingly gathering her composure, before her tone shifted sharply. "Now, Hazel and the Nelson family are smearing my reputation, hiring trolls to harass me for days. You call me, not to ask if I’m okay, not to ask for the truth, but to immediately question me. Dylan, how dare you?"

My throat went dry. Just as I was about to speak, she cut me off again.

"So, I’m laying it out today. I’m hitting back. If they don’t apologize to me publicly, this isn't over. Since they dared to throw mud at me, they better be prepared to pay the price."

The line went deathly silent.

After a long pause, I managed to croak out, "Vivian, you’ve changed."

She let out a light laugh. "I haven't changed; I’ve just grown up. A person has to be betrayed once to learn how to be strong. I used to think family was more important than anything, but now I understand—you can’t rely on anyone but yourself."

I fell silent. After a while, I finally asked the question that had been hovering on my lips, "Vivian, is there… any chance for us?"

She replied coldly, "Dylan, from now on, in the business world, we are either partners or enemies."

Vivian’s POV

After hanging up, I felt surprisingly calm.

Gabriel burst into my office, his eyes scanning my face, his expression complex.

I leaned back in my chair and asked quietly, "I thought you already knew."

His hands were clenched, his voice tight. "I didn't. So… did Hazel really interfere in your marriage?"

He remained silent for a moment, avoiding my gaze, and replied in a low voice, "Yes… how did you know?"

"It wasn't hard to find out you and Hazel had ties abroad," I said, a slight smirk playing on my lips, though my gaze remained scrutinizing. "I’m just curious, what exactly did she tell you to make you so eager to get close to me?"

He was silent for a moment before confessing, "She said you were narrow-minded and used your power to bully others. I was furious at the time, thinking I’d infiltrate your company, win your trust, and then dump you to get revenge for her."

He lowered his head, his voice softening. "But after working with you all this time, I realized you aren't that kind of person at all. I really have fallen for you… can you give me a chance?"

I looked at him, calmly took a document from my drawer, placed it on the desk, and slid it toward him.

Gabriel looked down. The words "Termination Notice" were clearly visible.

He was stunned.

"Vivian, this is…"

I said flatly, "OmniFront Labs has no place for those with ulterior motives. Since you approached me with a hidden agenda, even if your work has been excellent, once the trust is broken, it’s hard to repair. You can go."

Gabriel picked up the notice, looking at me, wanting to argue, but realizing that anything he said would be weak and pathetic.

He finally replied bitterly, "I understand."

As he reached the door, he stopped and looked back at me. "Vivian, I won't give up."

With that, he opened the door and walked out.

Dylan’s POV

The public opinion online was like an out-of-control wildfire, leaving me completely overwhelmed.

It started with the disturbance caused by that wedding photo, but then people began digging into every trace of Hazel and me over the past few years. Photos surfaced like a tidal wave: industry seminars, charity galas, golf courses, hospitals, restaurants… even candid shots at the airport, with my arm intimately linked with hers.

The oldest photo was timestamped five years ago.

Five years ago, that was shortly after Vivian and I were married, the same year Vivian was pregnant with Allen.

The tide in the comment sections shifted instantly, turning into a crusade against Hazel.

【Vivian was pregnant five years ago, and Hazel was already hooking up with her husband? If that’s not a mistress, what is?】

【For five whole years, this woman’s schemes have been terrifying.】

【Dylan isn't any better. Messing around while his wife was pregnant—a total scumbag.】

【Vivian is truly incredible for enduring this for so many years before divorcing.】

【My heart breaks for Vivian, and even more for the child.】

The number of comments refreshed by the second, and within half a day, the shares had crossed seven figures.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the Hudson Group office, the hateful comments on my phone screen stinging like blades. I stared at the words for a long time before finally locking the screen, my knuckles turning white from the pressure.

My assistant knocked and entered, his voice low. "Mr. Hudson, the PR department is asking if we need to issue a statement."

I was silent for a moment, my voice raspy. "No."

The only thing I cared about now was Allen. I put my phone away and dialed home.

Gloria answered.

"Mom, how is Allen?" My voice was strained, almost trembling.

Gloria’s anger erupted instantly; I could feel the tension through the receiver. "You have the nerve to ask about Allen? Do you know how much he cried this morning? He kept screaming for his mother, and nothing I said worked! This is all your doing. If you hadn't been so indulgent toward Hazel, we wouldn't be in this mess. Handle it yourself; I can't do this anymore!"

The phone was slammed down, leaving only a cold dial tone in my ear.

I grabbed my jacket and stormed out of the office.