As soon as those words left his mouth, the room fell silent in shock. Was he really accusing Anastasia of being a homewrecker?
But surprise aside, hardly anyone believed it. After all, rumors like this had circulated before, only to be proven false, clear attempts to slander Anastasia. This time, people were far more rational.
“Come on, Anastasia already has a boyfriend. Why would she need to seduce someone else’s husband?”
“Exactly! Her boyfriend is handsome, loaded, and totally devoted to her. Why would she ever go after a married man?”
Seeing that no one was buying it, the butler let out a cold laugh and tossed a stack of photos onto the table.
“You’re talking about this boyfriend, right?”
Everyone crowded in for a look, and their expressions instantly changed. The photos were unmistakable—it was Anastasia’s boyfriend, the mysterious VIP from the university’s anniversary gala.
“This is my employer,” the butler declared, his words echoing through the stunned crowd. “He’s been married for years. My employer’s wife is the real Mrs. Harrison. Anastasia is just his mistress, pampered and kept on the side.”
“I’d heard Kingsbridge University produced well-rounded, upstanding students, but I guess I’ve been naive!”
“She’s just a pampered songbird, acting like she’s something special. Fine, the gala was one thing—she clung to my employer to show off, whatever. But to go around telling everyone that a married man is her boyfriend? Absolutely shameless!”
“I’m here today on behalf of Mrs. Harrison. I hope Anastasia learns to show a little decency and stops chasing after someone else’s husband.”
With that, he tossed down another piece of evidence—then turned and strode out.
Everyone rushed over, craning their necks. The new photo was a candid shot of Harrison at a registry office, clearly filling out marriage paperwork!
The woman’s face was blurred out, apparently wanting to keep her identity secret, but Harrison’s features were unmistakable. This meant that, at the very least, half of what the butler had said was true.
“Right! And think about it: if I married a guy like Harrison, no way could I keep it to myself. I’d be showing off nonstop! But Anastasia never brags. Whenever someone mentions Harrison, she just calls him her ‘boyfriend’—never her husband. If that doesn’t say something, what does?”
In short, while plenty of students wanted to defend Anastasia, just as many had always been jealous of her. Now that they had something on her, they pounced, gleefully posting the gossip all over the university forums like it was holiday season.
Being someone’s kept woman was already enough to ruin her reputation—but being kept by a married man? And for his real wife to send someone to confront her at school?
If this was true, Anastasia’s social life was finished.
Some had always envied her for landing such an incredible boyfriend, and for the obvious affection he’d shown her. Now, finally, they could enjoy a taste of schadenfreude.
Not far away, Helen watched it all unfold, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
Everything was going just as she’d hoped. Her only regret was that she hadn’t managed to meet the mysterious Mrs. Harrison herself.
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