Chapter 283

The crowd hesitated, visibly wavering.

“Maybe… maybe he really didn’t know?” someone murmured, watching him with newfound uncertainty.

“Yeah, sounds like he just had a bad friend. Not much you can do when that happens.”

“At least he figured it out early. Cutting ties is the right move.”

One comment after another, the crowd began washing Joseph’s hands clean, as if the whole ordeal hadn’t been his fault at all.

“Honestly, I think this lady should give him a chance. He really does seem sincere.”

“Right? When is it my turn for a sweet, fairytale romance like this?”

The heat in Aurora’s chest flared violently.

People always did this—offering misplaced kindness under the illusion of fairness, but in reality, it was nothing but shallow sentiment.

She seethed silently.

Joseph was a natural-born actor.

He knew exactly how to play the victim, how to weaponize sympathy.

All it took was a few tears, and suddenly the world wanted to rally around him.

Aurora’s eyes swept over the crowd, memorizing every face.

These were the same people who couldn’t tell right from wrong, who blindly followed the loudest voice in the room without a single thought of their own.

They were laughable.

Joseph, encouraged by her silence, stepped closer, reaching for her hand.

But Aurora was faster. She drew back instantly, even taking a step away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked coldly.

Joseph’s expression twisted into one of wounded heartbreak. “Aurora, I love you so much. How could you treat me like this? I…”

“You love her so much? Then what am I to you?”