Chapter 307:

The next morning, Mabel slept soundly until she awoke naturally. With a sleepy hand, she reached for her phone, eager to check her online presence. However, she was met with a barrage of negative comments, leaving her confused and disheartened. Her usually pristine online reputation had been tarnished overnight. What had happened?

Mabel’s trembling fingers tapped the top search result, revealing the inflammatory phrase, “Whole Process of Mabel’s Theft,” trending prominently. Hesitantly, she clicked the video link. A scream escaped her lips as she recognized the incriminating surveillance footage of her taking Elyse’s sheet music.

“Wasn’t the video deleted?” she cried. “How could this happen?” Fear drained the color from her face, leaving her ashen. She stood frozen in shock before slowly regaining her composure.

Trembling, she tried calling Rebekah for support, but her call went unanswered. Rebekah, too, was likely caught in the turmoil.

The damning video was accompanied by another revelation: transaction records showing a clandestine transfer of $600,000 to Rebekah’s account. The scandal was complete. Rebekah had known about the theft and, instead of reporting it, had accepted a large sum of hush money.

Jayden’s timing in exposing the scandal was impeccable. Instead of releasing the video during peak online hours, he chose 9:30 a.m., ensuring maximum visibility. At that time, Rebekah was heading to work at the Celestial Sounds Symphony, where the top brass were about to meet regarding her conduct. Jayden aimed for a swift resolution, hoping to reinstate Elyse and uncover the culprit.

Rebekah, facing scrutiny from the symphony's leadership, sat in the meeting room, an extravagant item purchased with Mabel’s money before her. Further compounding the situation, Darren revealed that Rebekah had tampered with the monitoring room's power switch and accepted bribes allowing paparazzi access. Rebekah's actions had severe consequences. Mabel’s quest for retribution against Rebekah would have to wait.

Frustrated, Mabel shouted, grabbed her phone, and stormed out to find Glenda. Glenda, engrossed in a television show, heard Mabel’s cries and rushed to her side.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Glenda asked, offering a tissue.

Tears streamed down Mabel’s face. “It’s Elyse. She posted the video of me stealing online. Everyone thinks I’m a thief! She’s tormenting me; she wants to destroy me!”

Glenda was stunned. “But didn’t you say Elyse couldn’t find any evidence? How did she get this video?”

Mabel stamped her foot. “I don’t know! My company dropped me; everyone’s calling me a thief! We need a plan. Can you help me convince Elyse to retract her accusations and acknowledge my innocence?”

Glenda, unsure how to comfort her daughter, held her close. In a moment of desperation, she offered a solution.

“I’ll take the blame. Tell them it was my scheme, that I told you to take the music.”

Mabel sobbed. “Mom, they’ll just blame me more! They won’t believe you.”

Glenda sighed. “Then we have to talk to Elyse and plead for her understanding.”

Mabel was resolute. “I won’t go. I can’t stand Elyse. She doesn’t deserve to be called my sister.”

Glenda’s expression darkened. She wanted to tell Mabel the truth—that Elyse wasn’t her sister—but couldn’t bring herself to do so. Instead, she reassured Mabel, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this. No internet or going out, okay?”

Through her tears, Mabel pleaded, “Mom, please ask Elyse not to bar me from the entertainment industry. I want to return to my job.”

“Alright,” Glenda said. After a moment, she went to the garden to speak with Lanny.

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