Chapter 226
Chapter 227
Meanwhile, That very day, the truth behind the scandal tore through the media cycle like wildfire. News outlets across the nation broadcasted the shocking revelations nonstop, leaving the public utterly stunned.
What had once seemed like undeniable proof of Julia’s guilt was revealed to be nothing more than a ruthless framing, a cold-blooded setup orchestrated by her own family.
A collective wave of guilt swept through the public. People who had so eagerly judged, condemned, and dragged her name through the mud realized just how wrong they had been.
Desperate to make amends and offer a national apology, a massive community initiative was launched online to raise funds for Julia, a symbolic gesture of support and restoration.
To the country’s complete disbelief, the campaign blew past every expectation. Within days, the fundraiser surged to a mind-boggling $30 million. It became the talk of the nation, breaking record after record as headlines marveled over the unprecedented outpouring of public support.
Julia stared at the live fundraising tally on her tablet, her jaw slack with absolute shock. She couldn’t wrap her head around how a simple public apology fund could possibly reach such staggering heights so quickly.
What the public and Julia didn’t know was the hidden hand behind the numbers.
Quietly operating in the background, Marcus had directed his underground network to inject $20 million directly into the campaign under anonymous accounts. He knew how much Julia had suffered, and while the public’s remorse was real, he made sure the financial compensation matched the scale of the injustice she had endured.
Jessica slammed her phone face-down onto the glossy table of the upscale restaurant, her fingernails digging into the smooth leather of the booth. The headlines were practically blinding: From Public Enemy to $30 Million Symbol of Resilience: Julia’s Triumphant Vindication.
Every major outlet was singing the exact same tune, worshiping the very woman Jessica had spent months trying to destroy. Julia was supposed to be ruined. She was supposed to be ostracized, broken, and begging for scraps after the family setup. Instead, the narrative had flipped overnight. A public apology fund had somehow skyrocketed to an absurd thirty million dollars, turning her into a national icon of survival.
“Fuck,” Jessica muttered under her breath, her chest tight with a bitter mix of rage and envy. “Why is she always so damn lucky? She was supposed to fall, not come out twenty times richer p>
Her inner rage was interrupted by the soft chime of the entrance bell. Jackson walked into the dining area, scanning the room until Jessica waved her hand to catch his attention. He offered a practiced, charming smile, slipping into the seat opposite her with effortless composure.
“So,” Jackson began, leaning back and resting his forearms on the table. “Did you finish your background search on me p>
Jessica scoffed softly, crossing her arms. “I’ve been scammed before, Jackson. The last person who played me was so meticulous I didn’t see it coming until it was too late. I don’t trust easily anymore. I saw the press release about your claim to the Langstone empire, sure, but I also noticed that the Langstone family hasn’t officially acknowledged you p>
“They haven’t denied it, either,” Jackson replied smoothly, a calm glint in his eyes.
“That’s not enough for me,” Jessica said, her voice dropping to a sharp, demanding whisper. “Look, I appreciate
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you stepping in and helping me out last time. I really do. But if you expect me to believe you actually own the
angstone legacy, you have to prove it. You have to show me something undeniable p>
Jackson’s lips curved into an amused, confident smirk. “How about this? I take you directly to the main Langstone estate tonight, bring you right into their next high-society gathering, and officially introduce you as my girlfriend in front of every power player in the city p>
Jessica blinked, caught entirely off guard. A public endorsement at the Langstone estate would immediately seal his status-and hers alongside it. If he could pull that off without getting thrown out, he was unequivocally the man he claimed to be.
“Yes,” Jessica said quickly, a desperate gleam of ambition returning to her eyes. “If you do that, I won’t just believe you-I’ll be entirely on your side p>
“Then let’s not waste another second,” Jackson said, sliding out of the booth and offering her his hand.
He had barely taken two steps toward the exit when the main entrance doors swung open again.
The chatter in the restaurant lulled instantly. Walking through the doorway was Marcus, towering and imposing as ever, his hand resting securely at the small of Julia’s back. Julia moved beside him with an air of quiet, unshakeable grace, completely unaware that the millions currently transforming her life had come directly from the man standing at her side.
Jessica froze in her tracks, her eyes locking onto Julia’s.
Jessica startled slightly when she saw Marcus standing there.
For a brief moment, her eyes lingered on him. Despite everything that had happened between them, the truth was that she still loved Marcus. She hadn’t been able to completely erase those feelings.
But she quickly looked away.
Jackson was different. If everything he had told her was true, then he possessed the kind of wealth and connections that could completely elevate her life. She didn’t love him, and physically, she didn’t even find him as
attractive as Marcus.
But love wasn’t what she was looking for anymore.
If dating Jackson could give her the life she wanted, then she was prepared to do it.
Jessica deliberately ignored Marcus.
Across the room, however, Marcus frowned the moment he noticed Jackson standing beside her.
He recognized him immediately.
Jackson was the man who had recently appeared and claimed to be his father’s son. But what was he doing with Jessica?
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
Jackson noticed the brief glance Jessica had directed toward Marcus.
“Do you know him?” he asked.
Jessica immediately shook her head.
“No p>
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Marcus’s eyebrows lifted.
Before Jackson could say anything else, Marcus calmly spoke.
“Yeah. I know her”
Jessica’s face tightened.
Marcus looked directly at Jackson. “I’m her ex-husband p>
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.