Faye quickly replied, "She just clung to lan and used marketing to tie herself to him for all these years."

"So she's been using lan's fame to boost her own status this whole time? She really knows how to ride someone's coattails!"

Faye read and replied to the comments, a rare moment of satisfaction for her these days.

Meanwhile, Vanessa was also monitoring the situation online. She watched as public opinion completely turned against her. The comment section of her social media page was flooded with mockery and insults.

A few loyal fans tried to defend her, but as more and more people came forward with their own stories, even they fell silent.

Watching the situation spiral out of her control, Vanessa felt a tremor run through her body. The image she had painstakingly built over the years had completely crumbled across the internet in just a few hours. She felt like she'd been plunged into an icy abyss.

She tried calling several online reputation management agencies, but they either quoted an astronomical price or refused to take the job. After all, the scandal involved a tycoon like lan. If their campaign failed, they could face a lawsuit.

Vanessa ran her hands through her hair and suddenly let out a cry of despair. "Aaaah!"

She had never imagined that crossing Laverne would lead to her utter ruin.

It was true. When the person closest to you turns against you, they become the deadliest weapon.

Vanessa's name was trending at number one, a public humiliation for all to see. The accusations of withholding wages and burning bridges were enough to put her in the eye of the storm. Her failure to address the issue only made online users assume she was too ashamed to offer any clarification.

At that moment, Vanessa's mind raced, searching for anyone who could help her. lan? Henry? Walden Wells? She let out a self-deprecating laugh. All the powerful men who had appeared in her life now saw her as a pariah, viewing her with utter disgust.

Just then, Vanessa noticed that several brands she had endorsement deals with had already taken down content featuring her.

Her breath caught in her throat. Were these advertisers going to terminate her contracts too?

As if on cue, her phone rang with an unknown number. She quickly answered, "Hello? Who is this?"

She hoped it was someone offering help. Instead, a cold female voice came from the other end. "Is this Ms. Vanessa Shannon? This is the legal department of PG Jewelers. Due to the recent negative press surrounding you, which has severely impacted our brand's image, we arë formally notifying you of the unilateral termination of your endorsement contract. We also reserve the right to pursue legal action for breach of contract—"

Next came a call from a food company, and then one from a diaper company. They

were all calling to terminate their agreements.

Vanessa finally closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face.

Once again, she was filled with regret.

She regretted being so greedy, so manipulative with lan. Maybe if she had been more content, she could have preserved some goodwill and avoided this catastrophic downfall.

She hated herself even more for not accepting Henry sooner. If she had chosen to marry him two years ago instead of chasing a future with an, She would have been a winner in life!

But so many opportunities had been laid before her, and she hadn't seized any of

them. Now, there wasn't a single person to lend her a hand.

Suddenly, a thought struck her, and a flicker of resentment cut through her tears. Eleanor must be so happy right how so satisfied. This was exactly the outcome she wanted to see, wasn't it? Her wish had come true.

Thinking of Eleanor seemed to give Vanessa a focal point. She bit her lip hard. She couldn't admit defeat just like that. She absolutely could not let Eleanor laugh at her.

She still had a few wealthy men in her contacts who were interested in her. Why not give them a chance now, in her moment of crisis?