CHAPTER 44
Ronald stared at the shattered phone on the floor, feeling as if he had been broken in half instead. His heart pounded wildly, and he barely dared to breathe.
Xander’s voice, cold and filled with barely restrained fury, broke the silence.
“Book a flight immediately! We’re going home!”
“Yes, Mr. King!” Ronald stammered, scrambling out of the office like a man fleeing from a burning building.
As he rushed down the hall, Ronald’s mind raced. It had been a long time since he had seen Xander this enraged.
The level of fury he had just witnessed boded ill for Arianna. Once they returned, she would undoubtedly face a tragic end..
Piper had a blissful dream, and she woke up with a smile lingering on her lips. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, reaching for her phone on the nightstand.
As she scrolled through GossipNet, she noticed that Arianna was still the center of attention, marked with a red box indicating she was trending.
Curiosity piqued, Piper tapped on the trending topic, eager to see the latest barrage of insults aimed at Arianna.
However, as she read the first post, Piper's smile faltered, her eyes widening in disbelief. The words on the screen sent a chill down her spine, and her heart sank with each sentence she read.
Piper's mind raced as she processed the unexpected turn of events. She rubbed her eyes and checked her phone again, hoping that her initial assessment was mistaken. However, to her dismay, the truth remained unchanged.
The trending post on GossipNet was a shocking revelation by an amateur artist specializing in pornography. In a bold move, she claimed ownership of the scandalous photos and videos, emphatically stating that the woman depicted was her and not Arianna!
To add credibility to her claim, the artist even posted a video attesting to her statement, leaving no room for doubt. While she admitted to bearing a slight resemblance to Arianna, she emphasized that any likeness was purely coincidental.
As Piper absorbed the information, she realized the gravity of the situation.
The revelation not only absolved Arianna of the scandal but also cast doubt on the authenticity of the entire incident. It was a plot twist that no one could have foreseen.
In an instant, the online community transformed into a swarm of detectives, meticulously analyzing the photos and videos as if they were scrutinizing evidence in a high-profile case.
The consensus quickly shifted as comparisons were made, leading to the conclusion that the amateur artist bore a striking resemblance to the woman in question. It seemed increasingly plausible that the scandalous content belonged to her after all.
As public opinion underwent a dramatic reversal, voices of skepticism and criticism emerged.
[Well, what did I say? A woman of Arianna's stature wouldn't stoop to such levels. She's a socialite, for crying out loud. Classy and composed, just as I suspected.]
[Exactly! These armchair commentators are quick to jump on the bandwagon without considering the facts. It's easy to hide behind a screen and hurl insults, but in the real world, their true colors would show.]
Meanwhile, Piper scrolled through the comments, gritting her teeth in frustration as the tide turned against her.
"Is it just me, or does Arianna's situation seem really unfortunate? She's become the subject of a viral scandal online. I can't imagine how she must be feeling. I hope she's okay. Has anyone heard any updates about her well-being?"
"It's heartbreaking to see a young woman like Arianna unfairly targeted like this. It's clear that someone orchestrated this behind the scenes. They must be held accountable for their actions!"
"I agree. We can't let this slide. If we don't stand up against this kind of malicious behavior, who knows who will be next? I'm determined to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served!"
Countless voices echoed these sentiments across social media, with some users even banding together to form a group called
"Protect the Women", dedicated to uncovering the truth behind Arianna's ordeal.
Meanwhile, Piper clenched her fists in frustration as she read through the comments. The overwhelming support for Arianna only fueled her annoyance, knowing that her plan to discredit her had backfired spectacularly.
What on earth was Sheena up to?
Filled with frustration, Piper clenched her teeth and hastily dialed Sheena's number. As soon as she picked up, Piper erupted,
"What were you thinking? You couldn't even handle such a simple task. If you don't fix this mess, I'll make sure you regret it!"
Even Sheena was baffled by the sudden turn of events. How did this unknown artist emerge out of nowhere, claiming to be the woman in the video and causing a complete reversal in public opinion?
Was it a stroke of luck, or was someone secretly aiding Arianna?
To ensure no further complications arose, Sheena had even arranged for Nate to detain Arianna.
Logically, with Arianna out of the picture, there should have been no way for her to influence the situation.
Deep in thought, Sheena asked,
"Piper, do you think someone is backing Arianna?"
"That's absurd!" Piper snapped back. "The Johnsons family's reputation has been in shambles for ages, and her parents are practically beggars. They can barely fend for themselves, let alone come to Arianna's aid!"
As Piper ranted furiously over the phone, Sheena listened, her brows furrowing with deep concern.
How could her meticulously laid plan have backfired so spectacularly?
Sheena had orchestrated every detail, from leaking the scandalous material to ensuring Arianna's capture, yet here she was, facing an unexpected turn of events.
Sheena's mind raced, trying to piece together where she might have gone wrong. Had she underestimated Arianna's resourcefulness?
Or perhaps there was an unknown player in the shadows, manipulating the situation to their advantage?
Lost in thought, Sheena couldn't shake the gnawing feeling of unease.
Whatever the reason, her carefully crafted scheme had crumbled before her eyes, leaving her grappling with the unsettling reality that her control over the situation was slipping away.