Chapter 67
Chapter 67:
So much had happened in the past few days that, if not for Alden’s reminder, Helena would have forgotten the most important thing.
“Yes, of course,” Helena said.
Her scandal had quietly faded from the public’s attention, yet Nexus TV had not reinstated her position, nor had they explicitly withdrawn her chance to compete for the news anchor role.
Despite the odds, Helena was resolved to stand up for herself once again.
A soft smile played on Alden’s lips, his eyes sparkling with admiration. He had anticipated just such a response. Helena wouldn’t be herself if she backed down after a single defeat.
However, Alden couldn’t help but offer a cautionary note. “You might encounter Laurence there. Are you prepared for that p>
Helena inhaled deeply, nodded affirmatively, then hesitated with a shake of her head.
Seeing her reaction, Alden lightly teased, “Having second thoughts p>
“I’m not having second thoughts,” Helena responded, her expression contorted with aversion. “I just really despise seeing that man p>
Alden gently tapped her forehead. “Remember, he’s the one at fault, and he’ll face the consequences. He may attempt to manipulate the situation, but he won’t succeed—not unless you decide to let him off p>
Helena wasn’t entirely sure what Alden was implying, but she nodded. Her eyes then drifted to the sofa in the living room, which had been made up with bedding and a heavy quilt.
Alden had been sleeping there over the last couple of days.
Given the unresolved nature of her scandal, it had seemed inappropriate to bring in a repairman until now.
Catching her looking at the sofa, Alden said, “I’ve arranged for the repairman to come today. Unfortunately, I won’t be here this afternoon as I need to visit the development area p>
Helena understood; she had observed how worn out Alden had been looking, likely from several uncomfortable, cold nights on the sofa. As the winter in Cheson intensified, she found the thought of him continuing to suffer through the cold unbearable.
Despite her ongoing battle with intimacy, the idea of Alden getting sick from the cold spurred her into action.
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Nervously clasping her hands, Helena hesitantly suggested, “If they can’t fix it today, then… perhaps you could sleep in my room p>
Before she could finish her sentence, Alden quickly responded, “Alright.” He was inwardly pleased, although he maintained a composed exterior.
As Helena turned to leave, Alden’s phone buzzed—it was the repairman.
Stepping away to take the call, Alden answered, “Yes, go ahead and send over the materials p>
The repairman sounded puzzled as he asked, “Sir, does this mean you no longer need the heating fixed in your bedroom p>
“That’s correct. Nothing more for now p>
Later that afternoon, Helena made her way to Nexus TV.
Stepping out for the first time in several days, she donned oversized sunglasses and a mask. Despite her long tenure at the station, she felt as if she were sneaking in like an intruder this time.
She cautiously used her employee badge at the entrance. The sight of the green light confirmed that she hadn’t been terminated.
With a relieved breath, she made her way to the elevators.
The exam room was located on the sixteenth floor. Due to the anchor selection exam, the hallways were unusually quiet.
This was ideal for Helena; she preferred not to encounter any familiar faces.
Although the video of Cassandra slapping her had been removed online, many colleagues had been present in the studio that day. Helena maintained a low profile as she approached the exam room, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
But as she raised her head, she was met by Betsey at the door, checking IDs.
Caught off guard, Helena watched as Betsey snatched her sunglasses and loudly criticized her, saying, “Helena, after all that scandal, you still dare to come for the news anchor exam p>
Betsey’s loud remark immediately turned all eyes in the room toward Helena.
“Isn’t that Helena, the one rumored to be involved with Laurence p>
“The nerve of her to show her face here again p>
A barrage of harsh words and sneers descended upon Helena, rendering her attempt to remain composed futile.
The traumatic memories of the incident in the studio rushed back—her face captured in close-up, tear-streaked and red from the slap, leaving her feeling completely vulnerable and humiliated.
Despite the erasure of the incident from the digital world, the disdain from her colleagues was a painful reminder that the scandal would forever tarnish her reputation as a news anchor.
Betsey, relishing her moment of vindication, sported a smug, scornful expression.
She had hoped the scandal would destroy Helena. Yet, astonishingly, by the next day, not only had the news not spread, but it had been utterly quashed.
A flurry of high-profile celebrity scandals erupted, suddenly relegating Helena’s situation to a mere footnote.
The media, initially keen on Betsey’s tip, now remained silent on the matter.
Betsey was taken aback to see Helena bold enough to attend the exam. Approaching Helena, Betsey hissed a venomous threat.
“As long as Laurence is around, everyone will remember your shame. You’ll never be able to stand as a news anchor at Nexus TV again p>
Helena inhaled sharply and, in a defiant move, took off her hat.
She raised her head, defiantly meeting the eyes of everyone in the room. If her time at Nexus TV was to end, she resolved it would be on her terms: departing as a dignified news anchor, not as a victim of baseless rumors.
“Betsey, could you move out of the way? Unless there’s an issue with my identification, I’m proceeding to take the exam p>