Chapter 1479

Aubree remained uneasy, noticing his behavior. He was calmly messaging on WhatsApp. This stopped her questioning.

After breakfast, he gallantly offered to drive her back, but she refused. "It's fine. I can go back myself." She feared revealing the Pearsons' plight would jeopardize any future assistance. He didn't insist.

Exiting the hotel, she hailed a cab, checking her rearview mirror to ensure he wasn't following. Satisfied, she gave the driver her suburban address.

He remained at the hotel entrance, his smile faltering. His phone buzzed—a message from his assistant: "Mr. Crawford, the photos have been distributed to Horington media. They will spread soon."

Shawn smiled, replying, "All right."

Lucian's sudden rise years ago had eclipsed all his peers. Shawn, unable to tolerate being outdone, pursued his career abroad. Returning only two days prior, he was unaware of Lucian and Aubree's broken engagement. He'd celebrated with friends, encountering Aubree and Frieda. He seized the opportunity to exploit Aubree, eager to humiliate Lucian. He imagined Lucian's devastation upon the world learning of his fiancée's supposed promiscuity. He found Aubree's naivete—her belief in, and attempted manipulation of, him—hilarious. This woman is so dumb! I wonder what Lucian sees in her!

That afternoon, a photo of Aubree in her nightgown, hair disheveled, neck covered in fresh hickeys, went viral. The internet erupted.

Shawn monitored the comments, expecting accusations of Lucian's weakness and incompetence. Instead, the outrage was directed solely at Aubree. Netizens overwhelmingly supported Lucian.

One comment read: "No wonder Mr. Farwell says there's something wrong with her character. She claims six years of waiting, yet sleeps with another man shortly after their engagement ends!"

Another: "Tsk! What a hussy! She's finally shown her true colors! She's not fit for Mr. Farwell!"

Another still: "Looks like Mr. Farwell and his original spouse are truly a match made in heaven! Aubree Pearson isn't good enough for him at all!"

Shawn was baffled. Their engagement was called off? When? How did I miss that?

He closed the app and searched for Kai Jackson's number, a close friend from Chanaea. Kai answered promptly. "Yo! Can't believe you're calling. Heard you're back. When are we grabbing a bite?"

Shawn cut to the chase. "What's going on between Lucian and his fiancée?"