Chapter 139: Chapter 140: Role Switch
Translator: 549690339
Xia Yangyang despised Gu Qichen's feigned ignorance. "He's better than you, Gu Qichen," she declared. "I won't go in circles with you anymore. If you refuse the divorce, I'll contact a lawyer. Are you afraid of exposure?"
Gu Qichen's outward calm masked a furious rage. This woman, the first in years, had ignited his anger in seconds. She'd mentioned divorce three times in just three days.
His voice grew chilling. "Xia Yangyang, I forgot to mention: 'divorce' isn't in my vocabulary. Only 'widowhood.'"
Xia Yangyang stared in disbelief. His icy face was terrifying; she'd never seen this malicious side of him. He stormed out, the roar of his car engine soon echoing below. He'd left Maple Villa. Was he meeting Shen Manbing? Exhausted, Xia Yangyang fell asleep.
The next morning, at the film set, she found everyone huddled together, their chatter ceasing as she entered. They looked at her strangely.
Lu Yao approached, worried. "Yangyang, you're in today's entertainment headlines." He handed her a newspaper.
The headline screamed: "Star Diva's Fiancé Cheats with Newcomer; Caught in the Act." Below were photos—paparazzi shots, clearly taken with a telephoto lens—showing two people kissing in a corridor. Xia Yangyang recognized Maple Villa's transparent south-facing corridor and the panoramic balcony window. The images weren't clear, but the silhouettes were identifiable.
The article identified her, viciously portraying her as the homewrecker between Shen Manbing and Gu Qichen, and spreading rumors of her using sex to advance her career.
The internet exploded with condemnation. Shen Manbing's fans launched a "#XiaYangyangGetOutOfEntertainment" campaign that garnered millions of views. Even Chen Yu's fans, fearing the scandal would taint their idol, joined calls for a "Cinderella" movie reshoot with a new lead actress. Xia Yangyang was at the epicenter of a public storm.
Xia Weiwei smirked. "Xia Yangyang, you have nothing to say now, do you? Gu Qichen is holding a press conference at 3 p.m. He'll disown you. If I were you, I'd rather die than face Shen Manbing's fans."
Xia Weiwei, elated, had hired the paparazzi after seeing Xia Yangyang leave the previous night. This was far bigger than she anticipated. Xia Yangyang's career was ruined. A scandal, especially one involving a celebrity couple, just before an engagement announcement, was devastating.
Shengyuan immediately announced its own press conference, eager to clarify the situation. This was standard practice in the entertainment industry: denial until undeniable evidence emerged, with the weaker party usually taking the fall—blamed for initiating the affair, exploiting a drunken situation, and so on. The man might offer a settlement, but Xia Yangyang's acting career was shattered.