Chapter 105: I Stopped Loving Him Long Ago
Thinking it was Cecilia, Nathaniel quickly reached for his phone. It was Stella. He answered with a hint of impatience.
Stella's voice, choked with tears, filled the line. "Nathaniel, you have to help me. Those internet rumors are malicious lies."
Nathaniel recalled the news about Stella's plagiarism scandal at the birthday banquet.
"Someone sent my company a lawyer's letter," Stella continued, "accusing my new song, 'Ray of Light in the Dark,' of plagiarism. There are also online rumors claiming I built my career on plagiarism. I don't know what to do."
Nathaniel frowned. "I got it."
After hanging up, he immediately messaged the legal department to handle the situation. He didn't bother checking the online articles; he had no interest.
He was unaware that the articles detailed Stella's privileged upbringing, her ascent through relationships with wealthy men abroad, and her pattern of plagiarism and exploitation. He also didn't know the lawyer was Cecilia's friend, Vivian, who had written the exposรฉ that quickly went viral, hoping to defend her best friend.
Within half an hour, all related trending topics were removed.
An hour later, Cecilia received a call from the police, requesting she bail out Vivian. Rushing to the station, she found Stella and Yvette waiting.
Stella preempted Cecilia, positioning herself between them. "Ceci, I know you hate me, but how could you let your friend spread those lies? Do you know how hard I've worked? She almost ruined me!"
Yvette interjected, "Stella, why bother with someone so immoral? She deserves to see her friend in jail!"
Cecilia understood. "If anything happens to Vivian, you'll regret this!"
As Cecilia moved toward the bail area, Stella called out, "Ceci, I didn't arrest Vivian. Nathaniel did." Stella had orchestrated the arrest to make Cecilia witness the consequences of opposing her.
Cecilia paused, then continued. An hour passed. Nathaniel's legal team had ensured Vivian's seven-day detention. Vivian shrugged it off. "It's fine. A life experience."
Cecilia apologized. She knew Vivian's actions were for her sake, and that Vivian's arrest was because of her.
"Don't apologize," Vivian said. "Nathaniel's a jerk. I posted so much evidence! Is he blind? Why is he protecting that bitch? What's so great about her? All men are blind, always on her side!"
Cecilia hugged her friend, unsure what to say. Whether married to him or not, Nathaniel always sided with Stella, right or wrong. Vivian knew Cecilia was suffering most.
"Ceci, don't be upset. He's a scumbag. It's not worth it."
Cecilia choked back tears.