Claim
Chapter 58
Calvin sent a link that led to a news article with the headline, “Shocking News! Alleged Affair– Mr. Tate Caught With Mystery Woman! Ms. Turner Breaks Down on Set!”
Veronica’s heart skipped a beat, and a sinking feeling began to churn in her gut.
She clicked on the link, and there it was–paparazzi photos taken earlier that day outside her office, of her and Heath.
The angles at which the photos were taken were deceptive and deliberately misleading.
Even though their faces had been pixelated, to anyone unaware of the real context, the pictures appeared to show two people flirting, caught up in something intimate.
Naturally, that was precisely how the gossip site wrote it up.
“Mr. Tate Rolls Up in A Luxury Ride to Pick Up New Flame After Work–Hot and Steamy. Poor Eleanor Left in Tears.”
The comment section beneath the post was a battlefield. Eleanor’s fans were out for blood.
Over the past six months, Eleanor and Heath had frequently trended online, sparking endless speculation about their relationship.
To Eleanor’s fans, their relationship was fact. They believed that Heath, the handsome, powerful heir to Shalton’s elite family, was Eleanor’s perfect match.
A fandom had even formed around their “ship” called Eleath.
Eleath4EVER: “Who’s this cheap vixen trying to seduce our Heath? Back off, skank!”
EllysButterfly: “This is such a staged photo. How much did that woman pay the paps? Disgusting.”
ILoveEleanor: “Well, but Eleanor isn’t bothered. Heath’s already picking her up from the set right now.”
HeartEyes4E1: “I can’t stand the smug look on that bitch’s face! Does anyone know her handle? Tag her! I’ll end her!”
Veronica scrolled through the comment section, her expression blank. At this point, there wasn’t even room for anger. She just felt bitter amusement.
She was grateful that she’d never been into social media. If she had, she might have lost her mind seeing strangers hurl venomous words at her while she, the legal wife; was painted as the homewrecker.
She had planned just to laugh it off and move on. However, she’d underestimated just how frenzied Eleanor’s fans could be.
That night, someone leaked the uncensored version of the photos, revealing Veronica’s face and full name.
“Veronica Dolton! A woman from a modest family in Jouver. Orphaned at a young age, she lost both parents. She worked at Tate Group for six years!”
FightMeDumbass: “Ha! Figures! She’s just a social–climbing skank! If your dead parents could see you now, they’d be ashamed!”
Veronica’s hands shook as she read that comment. She couldn’t believe their audacity. What right did these people have to speak about her parents?
And still, the storm raged on.
Alleged Tate Group employees started joining the online chatter, offering firsthand dirt.
“Ms. Dolton has always been shady! She’s always looking for excuses to be alone with Mr. Tate. We were sick of her! She took constant time off, and her work sucked!”
“Do you want to know why Veronica suddenly left after six years? She tried to climb the ladder higher. Mr. Tate kicked her out on the spot and considered a resignation to save her some dignity!”
Veronica felt stunned and confused as she read those lies.
She hadn’t wronged these people. So, why would they go out of their way to slander her like this?
The online mob even stormed Novaro’s official account, demanding that they fire her.
Veronica couldn’t take it anymore. She started personally replying to those accounts. However, it didn’t have much of an effect.
In the end, she verified her account and, for the first time in years, posted a public statement.
Veronica: “Don’t speak if you don’t know the whole story.”
To her surprise, the post didn’t go unnoticed. Instead, it sparked a new wave of hatred from Eleanor’s followers.
AlwaysElForever: “LMAO! Look at her playing victim. Ugly and loud? What a combo. Apologize to Eleanor!”
Ellovely: “Bitch, stop acting innocent. We all know how you tried and failed to steal her man!”
Weak El: “Why aren’t you dead yet? You should die like your parents did! Your whole family deserves to rot!”
