Chapter 146. The Backlash →
Chapter 146: The Backlash.
Chapter 146: The Backlash
(Cassandra’s POV)
I woke up with a satisfied smile on my face, stretching luxuriously in my silk sheets. My green–gold eyes sparkled with anticipation as I reached for my phone.
Last night’s livestream had been perfect. By now, thousands of werewolves should be tearing Olivia Winters apart online.
I opened Howlr eagerly, expecting to see my hashtag trending at the top. My fingers scrolled through the feed, searching for the chaos I had unleashed.
But there was nothing. No trending topics about Olivia. No angry comments from my followers.
My smile faltered as confusion crept in. Where were all the posts attacking that mate–stealing lawyer?
I searched for the hashtag manually. The results were completely empty, as if the entire campaign had never existed.
Panic began to rise in my chest. I quickly switched to the short video app where I had done my livestream. The screen displayed a message that made my blood run cold: “Account permanently banned for violating community guidelines.”
“What?” I gasped, my voice echoing in the empty apartment.
My hands trembled as I tried to log in again. The same message appeared. My account, with its millions of followers, was gone.
My wolf whimpered with distress as the reality hit me. Someone had destroyed my entire online presence overnight.
I frantically checked my other social media accounts. All of them showed the same devastating message: permanently banned.
My phone buzzed with missed call notifications. Ethan’s name appeared multiple times on the screen.
Relief flooded through me. Ethan would help me fix this mess. He always protected me.
I called him back immediately, my voice shaking with panic. “Ethan, thank god you called. Something terrible has happened-”
“Cassandra.” His voice was ice–cold, cutting through my words like a blade.
The tone made my wolf recoil in fear. I had never heard him sound so furious.
“Ethan? What’s wrong?” I asked hesitantly.
“What’s wrong?” he repeated, his voice rising with rage. “You spread false rumors about Olivia being a
mate–stealer!”
My heart stopped. How did he know about the livestream so quickly?
“I was just defending our relationship-” I started desperately.
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Chapter 146. The Backlash,
“Our relationship? Ethan’s laugh was bitter and harsh. “What relationship, Cassandre? Were not We’re not even dating!”
The words hit me like physical blows. My carefully constructed fantasy was crumbling.
“But Ethan, we have history. We’re meant to be together-”
“Stop lying!” he roared. “You deliberately spread false information to destroy Olivia’s reputation!”
Tears began streaming down my face. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.
“Olivia’s law firm is suing you for defamation,” Ethan continued coldly. “And I won’t be helping you with the
lawsuit.”
My blood turned to ice. A lawsuit? From a prestigious law firm?
“Ethan, please, you can’t abandon me-”
The line went dead. He had hung up on me.
I stared at the phone in shock, my hands shaking uncontrollably. Ethan had never spoken to me like that
before.
My wolf howled with despair as the full scope of my situation became clear. I was completely alone.
I immediately opened my laptop and began searching for information about defamation lawsuits. The results
made me sick with terror.
“Defamation can result in significant financial penalties and potential jail time,” one legal article stated.
Jail time. The words repeated in my mind like a death sentence.
I had never considered the legal consequences of my actions. In my rage and jealousy, I had destroyed my
own life.
My phone rang again. For a moment, hope flared that it might be Ethan calling back.
But it was my manager’s number. My hands trembled as I answered.
“Cassandra, what the hell did you do?” his voice was furious. “Every brand is canceling your endorsement
deals!”
The room spun around me as the full extent of my downfall became clear. My career, my reputation, my future all destroyed in one night.
(Olivia’s POV)
I arrived at Moonstone Legal Partners early, determined to focus on work despite the chaos of the previous night. The legal response to Cassandra’s defamation had been swift and effective.
But Grace was still missing. That thought consumed every quiet moment.
I picked up my phone and dialed the police station again. The same officer answered as yesterday.
“This is Olivia Winters calling about the Grace Winters k********g case,” I said professionally.
“Miss Winters, I understand your concern,” the officer replied patiently. “But this is a complex case involving multiple jurisdictions.”
My grip tightened on the phone. “Has there been any progress at all?”
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“We’re coordinating with federal authorities and pack enforcement, he explained. “These situations require careful planning to ensure the victim’s safety.”
The diplomatic non–answer frustrated me. “When can I expect an update?”
“We’ll notify you immediately if there are any developments,” he promised. “Please be patient and cooperative with the investigation.”
I hung up feeling deflated. The waiting was torture, but I had no choice.
At Moonstone Legal Partners, I threw myself into case files and client meetings. Work was the only thing that kept my mind from spiraling into panic about Grace.
Two hours later, the front desk staff knocked on my office door. “Miss Winters, you have a visitor.”
I looked up from my documents, hoping it might be news about Grace. “Who is it?”
“Connor Rivers,” she replied.
My jaw clenched. I didn’t want to see him, but refusing might cause a scene.
“Send him to the conference room,” I said coldly.
Connor was waiting when I entered, his ice–blue eyes showing concern. His tall frame filled the space as he stood to greet me.
“Olivia, I heard about the online attacks,” he said immediately. “Are you alright?”
I remained standing, keeping distance between us. “I’m fine. I don’t need your concern.”
His expression showed frustration at my cold response. “I wanted you to know that I had Cassandra’s accounts permanently banned.”
The information didn’t surprise me. Connor’s influence in the werewolf community was extensive. “That’s really thank you,” I replied, my sarcasm cutting through the air like a blade.
Connor flinched at my tone. “Olivia, I was trying to help-”
“I didn’t ask for your help,” I interrupted. “I handled the situation myself.”
I turned to leave, but Connor’s voice stopped me. “Please, just give me a moment to explain-”
The front desk staff appeared again, looking nervous. “Miss Winters, there’s another visitor. He seems… agitated.”
Before I could respond, a man burst into the conference room. His face was twisted with rage as he spotted
“There she is!” he shouted, pointing an accusing finger. “The mate–stealing b***h!”
I stepped back instinctively as the man raised a cup of ice water above his head.
“b***h! Knowing you’re a mate–stealer, destroying our Cassie’s relationship, and causing her account to be banned, go to hell!” he yelled.
The ice water flew toward me in slow motion. I braced for the impact.
But Connor moved faster than lightning, pulling me behind him. The freezing water hit his back instead of
Chapter 146 The Backlash
“How dare you!” Connor’s voice carried Alpha authority that made the man stumble backward.
Connor’s ice–blue eyes blazed with fury as he kicked the attacker with devastating force. The man crashed into the wall with a sickening thud.
Two bodyguards appeared instantly, restraining the groaning man on the floor. Connor’s security team was always nearby.
“Call the police,” Connor commanded, his voice deadly calm.
Within minutes, law enforcement arrived and arrested the attacker. The man continued shouting about
Cassandra even as they dragged him away.
After the chaos settled, Connor turned to me with desperate eyes. “Olivia, I need to explain about Layla
Lawrence.”
I crossed my arms, waiting for another excuse.
“She’s my cousin,” he said quickly. “I broke up with her to protect her from Frederick Warner.”
The explanation sounded rehearsed. I felt nothing but cold disappointment.
“Connor, you really are so self–righteous,” I said, my voice cutting.
His face showed pain at my words. “I was trying to protect everyone-”
“Your protection didn’t stop Frederick from targeting me,” I interrupted. “It didn’t save Grace from being kidnapped.”
Connor’s shoulders sagged with defeat. “Olivia, please give me another chance-”
“No,” I said firmly. “We’re done.”
I walked to the front desk. “Please escort Mr. Rivers out.”
As the staff moved to comply, Adrian Sinclair entered the lobby. His sharp features and gold–rimmed glasses gave him an intellectual appearance.
“Connor Rivers,” Adrian said with professional courtesy. “Are you here to hire our services?”
Connor’s expression darkened as he recognized Adrian. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m a partner at this firm now,” Adrian replied smoothly.
Connor’s ice–blue eyes flashed with suspicion as he looked between Adrian and me. “You planned this, didn’t
you?”
“Who I partner with is none of your concern,” I said coldly.
Connor stepped toward me, but Adrian moved to block his path. “I’m afraid Miss Winters may be too busy to see you.”
“Adrian, don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning,” Connor said, his voice low and threatening.