Juicy Gossip in Her Mind: Chapter 196 - You Are Talented

Alexander had never paid attention to the rumors, so he was unaware of them. However, their irritating and insistent repetition, which piqued Isabella's curiosity, obligated him to set the record straight. Everyone had seen the photograph and heard the accompanying story.

Roland already believed Alexander. While painful to admit, Eleanor and her group had initiated the trouble. Alexander felt compelled to protect those he cared for; it was simply who he was, especially as the Quirk family was known for protecting their own. Undeniably, he deeply cared for Isabella.

"They said you had a fever, were delirious, and desperately wanted to see Eleanor. Confused, you searched for her, couldn't find her, and waited under a streetlight until she discovered you," Roland recounted.

Eleanor's panic was evident. She had shyly accepted previous inquiries without denial—a story everyone had assumed to be true based on their observations. Alexander's mouth twitched.

Aiden, their roommate, chimed in, "I remember now. You went to the hospital on Christmas night and didn't return until the next night, still feverish and with Eleanor." He believed Alexander.

This triggered a realization in Alexander. He furrowed his brows, looked at Isabella, and was momentarily speechless.

Isabella blinked. "Why are you looking at me like that? It couldn't possibly be related to me, right?"

Alexander sighed. "Do you remember fainting on your first day at my house, when you were fifteen, and being hospitalized? It was Christmas Day." Everyone knew the Quirks had adopted Isabella at fifteen after her parents died.

Isabella, aware of the original host's memories, felt awkward and simply nodded, "I think so."

Alexander explained, "Our parents were worried, so they asked us siblings to stay at the hospital. That's why I was there all day. When I returned the next night, I didn't go looking for Eleanor; I ran into her on my way back to the dormitory. As for the streetlight, I was just lost in thought."

He remembered now: he'd been thinking about Isabella that snowy night. Isabella had awakened in the hospital and said, "I'm sorry, and thank you."

At that time, Isabella's expression was inscrutable. Even when she expressed tiredness and a desire to sleep, he felt a pang of emptiness.

Isabella seemed refreshed the next day, but her frequent glances made him uncomfortable, prompting him to return to school.

"I was lost in thought, leading to the fever. I didn't have a fever then go to the hospital," Alexander stated calmly. "The evidence is available for verification."

Eleanor was stunned. She couldn't believe his coldness and ruthlessness. Did he truly not care about their past friendship? Even without love, years of companionship should count for something, shouldn't they? Her resentment boiled over, but his icy gaze silenced her.

Isabella's voice cut through the tension. "Just one photo, the rest fabricated? Even marketing accounts can't pull that off!" Her seemingly minor comment intensified the situation, causing chaos to erupt.

Isabella, engrossed in the unfolding drama, had inadvertently revealed something and quickly clamped her mouth shut. Further intervention would make her a target. She preferred observation. Without Alexander's intervention, she'd have been leisurely enjoying the spectacle.

The onlookers reacted with shock and disbelief:

"I can't believe it! Everything was a sham!"

"Wow, online celebrity couples are fake, and real-life couples are also fake. Don't NPCs' lives matter?"

"I'm starting to believe in the saying, 'Public displays of affection can lead to a quick breakup!'"

"This is hilarious! Lily said the unloved one is the homewrecker. Now who is it?"

The overwhelming chatter made Eleanor tremble. Lily, paler than before, turned to Eleanor, "Is it true? Your past love was a lie? You deceived me!"

Eleanor's lips trembled, realizing her future with Alexander and her image were crumbling. She needed damage control. Breaking down, she confessed, "Yes, I did it."

She looked at Alexander, "Even though you agreed to a relationship, you were always distant. I loved you, so I deceived myself. Everyone believed our love. I was swept along, and I didn't clarify anything, assuming you accepted it. Now you're contradicting me, humiliating me publicly. Why are you so cruel? I mistakenly thought you were slow to show your feelings, that you truly cared. I worried about you suffering from my illness, wasting time waiting for me, so I painfully broke up I returned, yet you treat me like this." She sobbed.

Her heartfelt confession silenced everyone. They stared, momentarily speechless.

Comments like, "Saying such things face-to-face is too hurtful," and "Eleanor was a victim of misplaced sincerity; it's pitiful," were exchanged. Some even sympathized, suggesting Eleanor's actions weren't entirely unforgivable.

Before Isabella could act, Alexander again took the lead, unwilling to let her face potential attacks. "I remember you had a medical checkup at a Quirk Group hospital before going abroad. As my girlfriend, I saw your report Nothing was wrong then. Did you suddenly fall ill two days later?"

The lie's exposure drained the color from Eleanor's face. Had that happened? Why couldn't she remember? She was extremely busy back then. But seeing Alexander's composure, could it be true?

It was all over.