Chapter 32

The internet only revealed that Rachel was Vivian's mother and highlighted that Rachel was a murderer, omitting the baby swap with the Jones family. Cynthia remained calm and uninterested in Vivian's outburst. "I just want to know who gave you that information," she said.

Vivian, surprised by Cynthia's nonchalance, seethed. "You want to know? I won't tell you."

"Tell me now, and I might let you off the hook," Cynthia replied.

Vivian laughed. "Cynthia, why are you pretending to be powerful? You have nothing left. Let's see what you can do to me."

Cynthia smirked, stood up, called Jonathan, and briefly spoke with him. Returning to her seat a few minutes later, she found Vivian still taunting her.

"Stop pretending! You think I'm scared of a phone call? Who do you think you are?" Vivian scoffed, unconcerned, having already deleted her original post. At worst, she might be reported for invading Cynthia's privacy—a minor issue easily resolved with money.

However, Vivian soon received a call from the editor-in-chief of Fashion Glamour. "Vivian, I'm afraid I can't offer you the editor position."

Vivian panicked. "Mr. Lee, didn't we agree on this today?"

"You offended someone. I can't say more; it's an order from above," the editor-in-chief replied before hanging up.

Vivian stared at Cynthia in disbelief. She had spent months securing the position, investing heavily and leveraging her connections. Hysterical, she cried, "Cynthia, what did you do? You can't ruin my job!"

Cynthia's smile vanished. "You brought this on yourself."

Vivian forced composure. "I almost forgot your relationship with Mr. Lee. Did you sleep with him? Don't think I'm afraid of you. If I can't be editor at Fashion Glamour, plenty of other magazines want me."

"You won't be going anywhere; you've been blacklisted by all the media," Cynthia stated.

Vivian initially disbelieved this, but Cynthia's confidence unsettled her. Several calls confirmed the blacklist. She had been completely ousted from the industry. Collapsing into her seat, Vivian stared blankly at Cynthia, wondering at her power.

Chapter 32 (Continued)

"Who exactly are you?" Vivian stammered.

A tall figure appeared behind Cynthia. Vivian looked up, terrified. "Mr. Bennett"

Jonathan stood behind Cynthia, his hand affectionately on her shoulder. Cynthia looked up, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you last night. Today is Tommy's birthday, and we have a private room at Cloudtop Restaurant," he replied.

"But I didn't expect you to be meeting a friend here." Jonathan's gaze met Vivian's; his expression turned icy.

Vivian's face paled. She realized their relationship was far more than ordinary. She couldn't believe Cynthia was involved with Jonathan Bennett. Jealousy and fury flared, but under Jonathan's gaze, she pleaded, "Mr. Bennett, please forgive me. It was Lilian's fault. She manipulated me into posting that information online to secure the prime-time host position. I was just her tool."

Vivian knew offending Jonathan was dangerous. University rumors painted him as ruthless—an angel's face, a devil's heart; those who crossed him vanished or died.

Jonathan's voice was icy. "Tools are discarded. You have three days to leave Roncrity. Don't let me see you again, or I assure you, there will be no place for you in this country."

Vivian, speechless and pale, watched as Cynthia stood. Jonathan took her hand, his tone gentle. "Why are your hands so cold?" He draped his jacket over her shoulders.

As they left, Cynthia thanked him. "I owe you one."

Only Jonathan's influence could have blacklisted Vivian. Cynthia's tone was distant. Jonathan replied calmly, "Since you owe me, there's an opportunity to repay that favor."

Cynthia looked up. "What opportunity?"

"Tommy's birthday party is here. Everyone else has a date, but I don't. Join me for a drink, then we can go back together," Jonathan suggested.

Cynthia knew the superficiality of such men, but felt obligated to repay the favor. "Alright, let's go."

Chapter 32 (Continued)

The private room door swung open, revealing a lively atmosphere. The spacious room buzzed with people singing, playing poker, drinking, and rolling dice. Gifts and a large cake dominated a table.

"Jon, you're back! Where were you?" A girl approached Jonathan happily, but her expression changed upon seeing Cynthia in his jacket. "Jon, who is she?"

Others noticed, their eyes widening.

"She's my girlfriend," Jonathan announced loudly.