Chapter 113: Too Much Even for an Avid Adult Fiction Reader

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Alexander stared at the ward door, flung open by reporters. He pulled Isabella back, preventing her from getting involved.

Concerned about Alexander's injured arm, Isabella stayed close. They watched the commotion from a distant corner. Despite being a VIP ward, a crowd had gathered. Some medical staff called for security; others gossiped. A few people conveniently stood between Isabella and Alexander.

"It's all over the ambulance crew's group chat," one whispered. "When they picked up those two, during the emergency check, they pulled open their clothes—oh my, the marks! Someone intercepted and leaked the conversation."

"The conversation itself isn't a big deal, just wild speculation," another chimed in. "The real problem is a paparazzo secretly photographed Maverick's living room. They caught Mirabelle on the first floor and Maverick and Hendrick being carried in."

"No! The solid evidence is that Maverick's assistant booked him an appointment with a proctologist!"

"What! So Maverick was?"

"Actually, no. He probably hurt himself getting ready…scared the assistant during the check-up…"

Isabella, already knowing the truth via the Gossip System, found the gossip highly amusing. Alexander's mouth twitched.

"What's meant to happen will happen," Isabella mused, stifling a laugh. "Maverick will never clear his name."

Alexander, surprised, couldn't deny the truth. He scoffed. "Without Danielle, he has nothing but his acting skills."

Both Maverick and Hendrick were hospitalized. The chaos, combined with the lack of Danielle's usual discretion, proved disastrous.

"Exactly," Isabella gloated. "Even this gets leaked! People should think before they act. Retribution is coming!" Suddenly, someone exclaimed, "They're hugging!"

Isabella gasped. "What? What?"

The next second, a strong arm encircled Isabella's waist. She was effortlessly lifted, her view instantly elevated. She gasped, looking back in astonishment to see Alexander holding her. His arm was steady, his expression unchanged.

He looked up. Seeing her wide, startled eyes, he said, "Aren't you going to see what's happening?"

Isabella, remembering the gossip's importance, quickly turned. She caught a glimpse of two intertwined male silhouettes on a bed.

Haha! she thought. Really? What are they up to? More irrefutable proof?

Alexander couldn't see, but he smiled at her gleeful laughter.

The reporters, eager for a scoop, were greeted with a sensational scene as they began questioning. For a moment, everyone forgot to ask questions; cameras flashed incessantly. Hendrick tightly embracing Maverick was captured from every angle.

By the time they reacted, Maverick had broken free, bewildered. Unaware of the spreading rumors, he was bombarded with questions:

"Maverick, are you in a relationship with Hendrick, using Mirabelle as a cover?"

"Maverick, did you know about Mirabelle's betrayal? Did you steal her boyfriend as revenge?"

"Hendrick, you've associated with women connected to Maverick. Were you coveting him?"

"Hendrick, who's your true love? Mirabelle or Maverick?"

"Mirabelle, what's your perspective on their relationship? Do you realize you're the outsider?"

The questions hit Maverick like slaps.

Only when hospital security arrived and closed the doors did Maverick catch his breath. "What's going on? What's happening?" he stared, disbelieving.

The others were equally bewildered, checking their phones. Their faces paled. Maverick checked his phone. The online slurs were gone, replaced by news of his proctology visit, photos of his apartment, and speculations about the previous night's events—some even live-streamed.

Netizens were shocked. The outrageous rumors were true! Comments flooded in:

"What did I do to deserve this love triangle?"

"My mind went blank."

"This is too much even for an avid adult fiction reader."

"My values are shattered!"

"What kind of soap opera is this?"

"This gossip is too much to swallow!"

"I thought it was Maverick and Mirabelle vs. Hendrick and Mirabelle. It's Mirabelle and Maverick vs. Hendrick and Maverick! Maverick wins; he's the center of attention!"

"How many more surprises do you three have?"

"Remember last night's livestream? One husband, one wife! Maverick was sitting in the center!"

"Hendrick's affection for Maverick was unusual. Who sends a wife and stages a play for their friend?"

"I just realized each of Hendrick's ex-girlfriends is connected to Maverick."

"One of Hendrick's exes spilled the beans. He always asked if they'd slept with Maverick. What the hell?"

"Before, I felt sympathy for Hendrick, but now…"

"Is Mirabelle just a tool? Being a wife to a gay man is pitiful."

"You were caught up in the drama! They're villains!"

"But they're all hurt. Maverick went to a proctologist; isn't he the victim?"

"If Hendrick forced Maverick, that's a crime!"

"Did Maverick really sleep with Hendrick?"

"How will it benefit you if I die laughing? Inherit my credit account?"

"Transfer fifty to me, or I'll wipe you all out!"

The humiliating remarks exploded. Maverick's gaze locked onto Hendrick's pale face. "It's you! You dmn pervert!" He turned to Mirabelle, trying to escape. "And you, you btch! This is all your fault! You ruined me!"

Maverick lunged, trying to attack. Some tried to restrain him; others screamed. The medical staff intervened. Everyone was battered and bruised, including the ejected reporters, who left behind evidence of the chaos.

Last night, they were a loving family; now, they were at each other's throats. Netizens created memes, combining videos with Maverick's earnest speech from the night before. It was dubbed the fastest case of self-sabotage in entertainment history.

Isabella chuckled. "Can you believe someone started a poll?"

Alexander peered over. "What poll?"

"To see which couple is favored most. Netizens are wicked," Isabella laughed. They voted. Alexander was surprised to see she chose Maverick and Hendrick. "I went for the least likely option," she explained.

Alexander considered. "It's hard to say."