My gaze then slid past Cillian and landed squarely on Michelle.
"Miss Prescott,next time you fake being sick,at least go to a proper hospital.And don’t use those flimsy bandages that tear with the slightest touch.Everyone can see right through them."
Michelle froze,her face going pale as she clutched Cillian’s arm."Cillian,I didn’t—"
He stepped in front of her,shielding her,glaring at me."Winona,don’t go too far!She ended up in the hospital because of you and you’re still saying this to her?"
I let out a cold laugh and pointed at him."Too far?The ones being truly too far are both of you."
"You gave her hope she never deserved,made her think she could climb over me to get ahead."
"Cillian,you are the root of all of this."
The Morgan Family’s blacklisting hit fast.Every one of my projects was halted,even magazine covers I had already shot were pulled and replaced.
Online,the abuse against me escalated,and extreme fans even dug up my home address.They threw paint on my front door and sent threatening letters.
Zoey reported everything to the police,but it did no good since these people were relentless.One wave would leave,only for another to arrive.
Meanwhile,Cillian and Michelle played the perfect role of the tragic,devoted couple in public.
They appeared together at the esports awards.On stage,Cillian even said,"I know there have been many misunderstandings about me recently,but Michelle and I are just real friends."
"I’ll handle my private matters quickly so they don't affect her."
Michelle sat in the audience,tears in her eyes,looking fragile and innocent.
The internet cheered their pure friendship.And I became the hated ex-wife everyone wanted to see fall.
A call from Merlin came again,her voice thick with smug satisfaction."Feeling regret yet,Winona?"
"I’ve said it before,don’t mess with me.You’re way out of your depth."
"Now,if you kneel and post a confession on your social media,admitting you were just jealous of Michelle and framed Cillian on purpose,I might consider sparing you."
I listened,barely holding back a laugh."Merlin,have you forgotten who I am?My surname is Easton."
My father was the CEO of the Easton Group.Though I had never publicly revealed my family background,in the business world,no one dared to cross the Eastons.
I had held back from using my privilege,not wanting to escalate things further,hoping to give Cillian a last shred of dignity.
But now,it was clear.Those people didn’t even deserve it.
Merlin’s voice turned cold and indifferent."You’re so stubborn,Winona.Don’t blame me for what's going to happen next."
"Winona,I’ll show you what true despair is.By the time I’m done,even kneeling in front of me won’t save you."
After that call,my phone rang again.It was my father this time.His voice was calm and steady,full of reassurance."Winona,my dear,have those people on the news wronged you?"
"Do whatever you need,my dear.I’ll always be your support."
I felt tears sting my eyes,the frustration I had held back for days finally breaking through.
"Dad…I’m fine.I just…I can’t accept this."
After hanging up,I wiped my tears and dialed another number.
"Hello,is this Sharon?You’ve always wanted to be the best in this industry,right?Interested in a sure-win deal?"
A crisp,excited female voice came through."Ah,Winona Easton.Sure,I’m interested.Tell me,how do you want to deal with the Morgan Family?"
Sharon Hirsch was Merlin’s rival and the head of Aurora Esports,a rising company in the esports world.I knew she had been waiting for a chance to take down Stellar Media Group.
