Chapter 118 Defamation
In just a few days, Herman’s appearance had drastically deteriorated.
His once–handsome features were now unrecognizable. He appeared emaciated, with a sunken face, unshaven chin, disheveled hair, and a pungent stench of alcohol about him.
After Renee managed to break free from his grip, Herman dramatically knelt before her, drawing the attention of everyone around.
“Renee, please reconsider. I admit my mistake in pursuing you for your beauty, but did you have to destroy my entire family? My father is nearing sixty, and he’s fragile. You are pushing him to the brink of despair, making him consider something as drastic as jumping off a building, you know?” The commotion attracted the curiosity of students, fellow schoolmates, and parents, who encircled the pair.
“What’s going on here? Who is that guy?”
“Why does he resemble the famous actor, Herman?”
“Jumping off a building? That sounds horrifying.”
“How far did he have to be pushed to kneel in public like this?”
Before Renee could respond, a middle–aged woman appeared out of nowhere, her anguished cries piercing through the crowd. “Renee, my nephew is kneeling before you. Will you not show some mercy? You’re just a young girl, yet you’re capable of such cruelty.”
The woman was none other than Maggie, Herman’s aunt.
“Herman, your father’s tax evasion was a breach of state law. I did not do anything to him.” Renee frowned.
Herman, seemingly oblivious to Renee’s words, implored, “Renee, I was wrong. I understand now that you have influential connections. I should never have pursued you. Please, spare me and my entire family.”
The students, though initially clueless about the sudden confrontation, pieced together the situation from the conversation between Renee and Herman. It became apparent that Herman had harbored feelings for Renee, and her actions had led to the destruction of his family.
“I can’t believe Renee exposed Herman’s sordid secrets. How did she even get involved in the entertainment industry?” “Herman and Renee were part of the same project not too long ago, called ‘Peerless Grace.”
“Damn! I just started idolizing Renee. Is this disillusionment?”
“What kind of background does Renee have? Ordinary people can’t achieve so much, can they?”
“It’s not academic fraud or anything, right?”
Catherine heard that Renee had been confronted and rushed over without even changing out of her dress. She exclaimed,
“Renee, Herman simply has feelings for you. Why push him to the brink like this?”
Catherine felt a surge of elation. It seemed that Herman’s disruption could tarnish Renee’s previously shining reputation.
God was on her side against Renee.
Herman’s disruption threatened to shatter the pristine image Renee had maintained until that moment.
Catherine’s words quickly resonated with parents who were unaware of the true situation.
“That’s true. What’s the fuss about a young man in love? Nowadays, these girls do whatever they please just because they’re pretty.”
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Chapter 18 Defarnation
“Sweetie, it’s time to apologize.”
“This young lady might be beautiful, but she’s heartless. That’s not right.”
The crowd started chastising Renee, unwittingly siding with Herman.
Seeing the self–satisfaction in Herman’s seemingly imploring eyes, Renee immediately grasped his intention.
Herman had deliberately chosen this moment to make a show of it
He wasn’t really meant to apologize.
He was seeking sympathy.
His plan was to embarrass Renee and shift the blame onto her.
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Taking a deep breath, Renee tried to compose herself. “Herman, whether it’s you or your family, the exposed scandal is a matter of fact. You brought this upon yourselves. How can you claim that Im causing harm? This is a school, and I hope you won’t create a scene here.”
“Renee, if it weren’t for you, my nephew and brother–in–law wouldn’t have ended up in this situation!” Maggie interjected loudly.
“Maggie, you used the phrase ‘ended up‘ to describe your nephew. Do you dare tell everyone how you tried to introduce me to your nephew that day?“Renee countered, playing her trump card. “Maggie, you went to great lengths to arrange a marriage between your daughter and my man.“Renee dropped a bombshell, revealing that she had a man.
The spectators were taken aback. This woman had been trying to marry her daughter off to Renee’s man?
She was attempting to publicly steal someone else’s boyfriend for her daughter?
Was she promoting her daughter to be a mistress?
The onlookers were in disbelief.
“Herman, I’m the one you should be seeking.”
Marcelo’s wheelchair rolled in from the outskirts of the crowd, followed by a school official.
Marcelo had heard voices coming from this direction, and Maggie’s and Herman’s voices had been quite loud. He pieced together what was happening.
Marcelo looked Renee up and down to ensure she was unharmed and let out a quiet sigh of relief. When Herman laid eyes on Marcelo, his expression shifted. “Mr. King…”
“I’m responsible for everything that has happened to you and your family,” He stated calmly. He pulled Renee close to his side, surveyed the surrounding crowd, and fixed his gaze on Maggie. “What is it? Do you want an apology?”
Maggie was flabbergasted. “This, this…”
She struggled to form a coherent sentence.
Herman, seizing a desperate lifeline, urgently interjected, “Mr. King, do you know that this woman by your side involves with another man once she leaves your bed? I witnessed it with my own eyes. Despite all you’ve done for her, she’s a dissolute
woman.”
Before Herman could finish his accusation, Marcelo swiftly snatched a drink from a nearby student, re
it over Herman.
ed the lid, and poured
The light brown milk tea splattered across Herman’s face, with taploca pearls clinging to his hair and stubble, rendering him a disheveled mess.
The sticky liquid stung his eyes, preventing him from speaking further due to pain and shock. Silence enveloped the area.
Chapter 118 Defamation
No one had expected the wheelchair–bound, handsome man to take such swift action.
Their astonishment deepened at Herman’s claim.
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Even in this modern era, what Herman had said portrayed a woman with promiscuous personal affairs that could generate disdain towards such individuals.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes now regarded Renee with skepticism and scorn.Renee instinctively clenched her fists, struggling with a suffocating feeling.
Yet, she couldn’t explain or defend herself.
Society had always been harsh on women, particularly those blessed with beauty.
At times, it felt as though beauty was an original sin.
Herman’s unfounded allegations had already swayed the opinions of some in the crowd.
People were often more inclined to believe what they wanted to see, disregarding the truth entirely.
“Herman.” Maggie supported her nephew with her hand nervously. “Mr. King, we are doing this for your own good,” she said sadly.
Marcelo shot her a cold look. She couldn’t help but shiver under his hard stare. She felt like she was being stalked by a predator. Her words dried up in her throat, and she didn’t dare to say anything more.
“They started the rumor. I hope the school will report them to the police,” Marcelo said to the school official next to him. He then stared at Herman dispassionately. “Since the lawyer’s notice for breach of contract isn’t enough for you, I’ll add an extra one for defamation and slander,” he threatened.
Renee stared at Marcelo dazedly. She felt like she was being pushed to the edge of the cliff but his words brought her soul back to life.
He saved her by pulling her back from the edge of the abyss.
Herman’s face turned pale and his body started trembling. “I… I’m not… I…” he stammered, unable to speak.
He was already miserable. Why would Marcelo still want to call the police? Marcelo even intended to send him a lawyer’s notice!
He had already exposed Renee’s promiscuous affairs, so why was Marcelo still on her side?
Why was Marcelo willing to be cuckolded?
What was wrong with this man’s brain?
Before Herman and Maggie could say anything in their defense, they were forcefully taken away by the school’s security team.
“Renee.“Marcelo’s voice pulled her out of her musings.
She blinked. When she saw the concern in his eyes, the dull ache in her heart slowly disappeared.
“I… I’m fine,” she mumbled.
Her voice was barely a whisper, and only Marcelo heard it.
The others didn’t even notice her speaking.
dents of this University
“Dear schoolmates and parents, the two people have been taken away by the police. I hope that th will not start or spread rumors. Rumors stop with the wise,” said Howard, rushing over with his mates from the student union. Marcelo signaled for Renee to follow him as he made his way in the wheelchair toward the access provided by the school. Looking at the retreating figures of Renee and Marcelo, Howard frowned in confusion.
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Chapter 118 Defamation
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Did these two…know each other?
Catherine, who was watching the whole scene, bit her lip.
Why did Marcelo always come to Renee’s aid?
No matter what was said about Renee, he always stood by his side.
Catherine regretted allowing Renee to marry Marcelo.
“Hi, do you know the man who started the rumot just now?” Howard asked Catherine.
Coming back to reality, Catherine scoffed. “I play the female supporting role in Peerless Grace. Of course, I know Herman,” she said with a smirk.
“So you know each other. Why did you help him start the rumor about Renee?” Howard demanded, his eyes sharp with scrutiny. It was Catherine who guided the public opinion just now.
“I didn’t. I was telling the truth,“Catherine lied, pretending to be innocent.
What was wrong with this man? He helped Renee in the hall just now, and now he was attacking her.
“Then you might need to go to the police station to prove your innocence,” Howard stated matter–of–factly.
Are you crazy?“Catherine said indignantly. She gripped the hem of her dress and stormed away. There was no way she would go to the police station. What a shameful thing to do!
Howard beckoned a member of the student union. “That hostess doesn’t seem to be on the varsity host team,” he remarked.
Students with strong broadcasting and hosting skills were on the varsity host team. These people were the backups for the hosts of every major school event.
“You don’t know her? She’s a freshman in the finance school. She’s a star and she debuted in a talent show last year,” replied the student. The student was well–informed. “I heard that she comes from a wealthy and influential family.”
Howard closed his eyes and thought for a while. “Investigate her situation and find out why she was selected to host today’s event,” he instructed.
She was a freshman. Last year, she made a debut in the talent show. But how did she get into the finance department of the University?
A star kid like her wouldn’t have attended many days of the school year and yet she studied finance. Could she pass her midterms and finals?
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