Chapter 170: A Seal of Authenticity

Down below the stage, the Quirk family members were speechless and astounded.

"Did they just act out the truth?" David asked incredulously.

Selena, her worried gaze on the flower-bearing man beside her, said, "But didn't Roland mention that?" Alexander was also present; it was Isabella's final stage play, after all.

"Actually, this is quite a smart move," Alexander said. "Even if the other party doesn't admit it, they can't accuse the stage play of defamation. It's clever." David and Selena breathed sighs of relief.

Evian exclaimed in surprise, "So, they made a spur-of-the-moment decision, just like Ms. Yancey, who always improvises. No wonder they signed Scarlett. Her acting is truly impressive. You wouldn't believe it was improvised." The other Quirks nodded in agreement.

However, the audience had already begun to gossip after witnessing this scene. Scarlett's suicide and Javier's arrest had caused a sensation. Disregarding the causal relationships, the stage play mirrored the incident.

Netizens were in an uproar. They'd just seen news of Javier's release, and Linda's lawyer had already contacted media outlets with speculative stories about Javier's "mistakes made in the name of love," creating a buzz. The stage play, however, turned everything on its head. The comments flooded in:

• Netizen: What's going on? Javier was just released! If the play is true, he's a criminal and shouldn't have been released!

• Netizen: Is this surreal? Why would Mrs. Pearson act this out with Scarlett? Whose mother is she, exactly?

• Netizen: She's prioritizing justice over family. Her judgment is clear. The truth is as shown.

• Netizen: I refuse to believe it! Javier is innocent; his release proves it. I support Javier! Scarlett is the problem; those explicit photos are proof!

• Netizen: Seriously? Those photos look secretly taken.

• Netizen: Maybe it was the boyfriend taking photos of his sleeping girlfriend without permission.

• Netizen: Taking photos is a sweet gesture between lovers! The play isn't real. I heard the "threat" was to lure Scarlett back, and the financial deception is nonsense; Javier's family is wealthy. This obsession is justdomineering and romantic.

• Netizen: What novel are you reading?! Tell me so I can avoid it! Call the police if this happens in real life!

• Netizen: Secretly taken photos are unacceptable. Men like that are disgusting!

• Netizen: I was secretly photographed too, but I was naive. He said he loved me, wanted to remember our love. I didn't ask him to delete them. Then he broke up with me and bragged about them online.

• Netizen: Scarlett's unawareness is one thing, but you need to protect yourself. You think you're special, unique, but that's foolish. Love is real; indifference is just as real.

• Netizen: Even if it's revealed, can you prove who it is? Face-swapping technology is advanced. Demand proof.

• Netizen: We enter naked; everything else is fleeting. No one's the world's protagonist. Focus on your own life.

• Netizen: Absolutely! Girls, be cautious. No matter how much you love him, keep your guard up. True love protects you from harm. If he doesn't, his interests outweigh your well-being.

• Netizen: I'm a guy; I'd never risk taking photos. What if my phone/computer is compromised? It's insane!

• Netizen: Even Javier's forceful proposal seemed off.

• Netizen: Was his proposal to pay gambling debts? Did he threaten her after it failed?

• Netizen: Or he proposed and threatened out of love? That makes sense, doesn't it?

• Netizen: So, the play is a lie?

• Netizen: I won't say that. Maybe a coincidence. It wasn't Isabella's play, but it revealed the truth.

The extortion and gambling revelations weren't the main focus of discussion.

Javier's reputation was already severely damaged.

Backstage, Danielle clicked her tongue and looked at Isabella. "Your image is set in stone. You're a seal of authenticity. Without you, people wouldn't care." Isabella's lips twitched. Would anyone believe me if I praised their performance in the post-show interview? she thought, feeling pressured.

Christopher and Rosalie stifled laughter. It was as if justice had been served.

Scarlett and Freya's performance was ending.

The trainer brought the police dog backstage to Isabella's group. Isabella and Christopher greeted the dog, who wagged its tail.

"Thanks in advance," Isabella said, patting its head.

"Don't be nervous," Christopher said seriously.

The trainer chuckled. "Don't worry. Sven's seen it all. He's itching for action since his retirement."

Sven puffed his chest, eager for the challenge.

As applause erupted, their performance began.

Linda had driven Javier to the broadcast studio when her lawyer called. After watching the replay, she was furious.

"How could your mother do this? She's ruining you! Doesn't she trust you? We need to confront her!"

Javier looked at the trending topics grimly. He'd tried to salvage everything, but they seemed intent on ruining him.

The lawyer said it was fortunate it was a performance; netizens were waiting to see. They should clarify things during the live broadcast. Linda agreed; Scarlett was ruthless and unjust, and Linda would expose her thieving ways. She touched her pearl necklace resentfully. Scarlett had schemed to destroy Javier, portraying herself as the victim, and Linda wouldn't let her trample on her godson.

Getting out of the car, Linda noticed Javier hadn't moved. "Javier, let's go!"

As Javier got up, he hesitated, noticing the surveillance cameras. Uncomfortable, he followed Linda to the studio. Isabella and Christopher's performance was already underway.