Chapter 124: A Lifetime of Sorrow and Hardship for a Beautiful Woman
Selena and Rosalie quickly searched for rumors about Rebecca. Unsurprisingly, they found revelations from purported middle school classmates. These claimed Rebecca had a knack for attracting boys, flirting with several at once and teasing them without genuine interest. Meanwhile, Isabella's thoughts painted a different picture.
The classmates, three juvenile pests who sat behind Rebecca, indulged in unsavory content and viewed her through a lewd lens, misinterpreting her actions. They lured her to a small grove, questioning her romantic interests. Rebecca, caught off guard despite her low profile, rebuked them. Their pride wounded, malicious thoughts followed. A scream brought others running, preventing further escalation. The boys were frightened, and Rebecca's parents called the police, pressing charges. The boys' parents created a disturbance, defending their sons. However, numerous witnesses ensured Rebecca received justice. The boys, being minors, received lenient punishment and transferred schools. Rebecca, however, suffered lasting consequences.
Infuriated, Selena and Rosalie discussed the revelations with Isabella, vehemently rejecting the rumors’ inconsistencies and blaming the boys. Their discussion was interrupted by another shocking revelation: a male high school classmate had committed suicide over Rebecca.
Selena and Rosalie fell silent, continuing to read. Isabella immediately began investigating. She reflected on Rebecca’s near-despair and self-harm during high school, understanding the trauma of losing both parents.
Chapter 124: A Lifetime of Sorrow and Hardship for a Beautiful Woman
Selena and Rosalie gasped. Rebecca's high school experience was an undeserved misfortune. She maintained a stern expression, avoiding closeness to prevent misunderstandings, yet still became the target of a boy's obsession. This boy, pressured by overbearing parents, suffered from immense stress, neglected by his family until his grades slipped. His parents, discovering photos he had secretly taken of Rebecca, accused her of enticing him and disrupting his studies. The school witnessed the ensuing conflict, culminating in the boy's suicide. Even after Rebecca's innocence was proven, his parents relentlessly sought revenge, defaming her. People who knew Rebecca sighed at her plight—not out of pity, but because of the supposed "disaster" a beautiful woman could bring.
Selena and Rosalie's eyes reddened. They found the situation far more heartbreaking than any melodrama. Selena exclaimed, "This rumor is even more false than the last! What does this have to do with her?" Rosalie agreed, suspecting the boy's suicide stemmed from his parents' actions. Isabella concurred. After a calming breath, Isabella continued reading.
Isabella realized Rebecca entered the entertainment industry due to her grandmother's medical expenses. She initially dropped out of school to work, facing constant harassment. Her negative scandals were widely publicized. A strong-willed woman, she learned from her older sister how to appease men while ensuring her safety. A talent agency discovered her, offering her a chance in the industry, which seemed safer than the nightclubs she'd worked in previously. Unaware of the agency's thorough background check, she signed a ten-year contract with an astronomical penalty for breach. Her salary barely covered her grandmother's medical expenses.
Men who professed love for her were primarily interested in possessing her, not saving her. She relied only on herself. Finally, her contract expired. She only asked for a slight salary increase, knowing the penalty was manageable and she didn’t want to be exploited further. She was aware of her scandals, and signing her was a gamble for the agency.
She didn't want her grandmother to worry on her deathbed. Isabella felt immense regret for her previous superficial judgment of Rebecca. Selena and Rosalie, overcome with emotion, pretended to look at their phones. Alexander, while sympathetic, noted the prevalence of such hardship in the entertainment industry, acknowledging Rebecca’s resilience and self-preservation. He comforted Isabella, who, despite her aloof demeanor, was actually soft-hearted. Isabella messaged Danielle, reinforcing her perspective, but Danielle remained cautious. Discussions with scriptwriters began, planning a path for Rebecca's future, mirroring the style of Justice Upholder.
Chapter 124: A Lifetime of Sorrow and Hardship for a Beautiful Woman
Three days later, the draw resulted in "woman," confirming a showdown between the two groups. Online, everyone rallied against Rebecca. Only the director and producer, having received a message from Team A-list, worried deeply. Another confidential script was revealed.