Chapter 685:

Beneath the sensational title was a photo capturing Elena’s refined features in a compromising frame.

Wesley, his face contorted with anger, surged to his feet. “Get rid of every article!” he barked, his gaze cold and unyielding.

Felix hurried after him, trying to keep pace. “I got the original articles taken down, but the story’s already blowing up on every major news channel. It’s everywhere—everyone’s talking about it like crazy, passing it around nonstop.”

Wesley stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes piercing Felix with a chilling gaze. “Then we go after each one. Erase every trace. I want nothing left,” he declared.

Felix, feeling the weight of Wesley’s fury, stiffened and quickly nodded. “Absolutely, I’m on it,” he assured, his voice firm yet anxious.

Meanwhile, Elena had also seen the outrageous headlines. The photos were cunningly angled to capture just her face and neck, her eyes closed, with the vague outline of a man’s profile barely visible beside her. Her distinct features were undeniable—a recognizable face in Klathe’s elite circles.

As Elena contemplated the origin of the photos, her brow furrowed in confusion and anger. Nothing had happened between her and Cecil that night. She had defended herself with an ashtray before anything could go wrong, yet the news reported otherwise. A wild private life? Caught in a hotel room? This smear campaign was a calculated move to tarnish her reputation irreparably.

In the world of the elite, where reputation was paramount, this scandal threatened to make the Harper family the disgrace of Klathe’s high society.

Louis was the first to reach out to Elena, his expression unusually grave. “Who bullied you?” he asked, his tone devoid of accusation, only concern.

Elena’s heart swelled with warmth, and she shook her head gently. “I wasn’t bullied. That blond man was knocked out cold, and by the time I came back, he’d vanished. The media’s got it all wrong,” she explained, her voice laced with sincerity.

“I knew it.” Louis let out a sigh, relief flooding his features. “Even Wesley doesn’t catch your eye, so why would that ugly guy stand a chance?” he declared with a chuckle.

Louis spoke with conviction, having long dismissed any notion that Elena might have been involved with the blond man. To him, the only plausible explanation was that the blond man had harassed Elena.

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The moment Wesley’s name came up, a shadow flickered across Elena’s face, her expression tightening briefly—an unfortunate detail Louis missed, lost in his assumptions. Even Wesley didn’t catch her eye? Elena wondered where such a baseless rumor had originated.

Breaking the brief silence, Elena shifted the conversation toward more pressing matters. “Louis, do you think this scandal will affect the company?” she asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

Louis hesitated, his eyes clouded with uncertainty. “I’m not sure. We should consult Jeffry,” he suggested.

Jeffry, buried in company matters, had been practically living at the office for days. He was so consumed by work that he remained unaware Lydia had moved out of his apartment, completely oblivious to the personal turmoil awaiting him at home.

At the Harper Group, Jeffry’s assistant lingered nervously by the door, fidgeting with the hem of his jacket, clearly torn about interrupting. Jeffry, ever perceptive, caught the hesitation and his expression darkened into a frown. “What’s the matter?”

With a hesitant step forward, the assistant revealed the troubling news on his phone.

Jeffry’s response was swift and severe, his brows knitting tightly. “Take it down immediately! Block any media outlet that doesn’t comply!” he commanded sharply.

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