Arrived 225

After a tense conversation, Selene reassures Estella that Jake targeted her not because he could win her over, but because he felt threatened by her beauty and wanted to ruin her reputation. Estella remains uneasy and insists on confronting Jake herself, determined to take legal action if necessary. Selene promises to handle the confrontation while Estella focuses on recovering.

Jonathan heads to the police station to question Jake, who has already admitted to defaming Estella but insists he acted alone. Despite his exhaustion and repeated interrogations, Jake remains defiant, believing the damage is minor and manageable with money and Isabelle’s support. However, Jonathan presents evidence showing Jake’s harmful content was aimed at a young audience, escalating the seriousness of the case and pressuring Jake to reveal the truth about who orchestrated the smear campaign.

At Jake’s studio, Selene and Lana find him drinking and defeated. Under their questioning, Jake admits that Isabelle was the one who ordered him to defame Estella. This revelation shocks Selene and Lana, who realize that while they can sue Isabelle, her wealth might shield her from serious consequences. They also worry that Isabelle will continue targeting Estella, threatening the future of her music center.

The chapter ends with Selene and Lana contemplating the difficult battle ahead, aware that Isabelle’s relentless attacks pose a significant threat and that their fight for justice will be far from easy.

Chapter 225: Exposed

The conversation had just wrapped up.

Selene looked at Estella with a determined expression and said, “It’s because you’re stunningly beautiful. That guy knew he didn’t stand a chance with you, so instead of trying to win you over, he chose to drag your name through the mud.”

Despite Selene’s reassurance, Estella couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at her. “I don’t believe that’s the full story. I want to confront Jake myself. If he’s truly unstable, I’ll take legal action against him. But if someone else is pulling the strings, I won’t let that person get away without consequences.”

Selene nodded firmly. “Then Lana and I will go talk to him. You just focus on resting and getting better.”

Gratefully, Estella replied, “Thank you so much.”

Selene smiled warmly. “No need to thank me—that’s what friends are for.”

After leaving the hospital, Jonathan made his way directly to the police station. The air was cool and quiet as he entered, his mind already racing through the details of the case.

Corbin was there to greet him personally. “Mr. Bennett, you’re here about Ms. Hayes’s case?”

Jonathan gave a curt nod. “Yes. Where is Jake? Has he said anything about who might be behind this?”

Corbin sighed heavily. “He’s sticking to his story—claims no one else told him to do it. He says he just didn’t like Ms. Hayes and decided to tarnish her reputation himself.”

Jonathan let out a sharp, skeptical laugh. “I don’t buy it. I’m going to ask him myself.”

Jake was called in again for questioning.

By now, he was thoroughly exhausted.

They had grilled him so many times already. He’d admitted to smearing Estella’s name, so what more did they want from him?

Sure, he had ruined someone’s reputation—but was that really such a big deal? He could pay damages and apologize. Money wasn’t an issue.

Besides, Isabelle had promised to cover any fines as long as he kept quiet about her involvement. Once the scandal died down, she even planned to invest in his idea for an MCN company. He wouldn’t have to create videos himself anymore—he’d be the boss.

Though he’d complained about Isabelle before, now he saw her as a golden opportunity. Whether or not they ever became a couple, she was someone worth holding onto.

When Jake was brought into the interrogation room, he found himself face to face with Jonathan.

Jonathan’s presence was imposing, but Jake barely flinched.

Leaning back lazily in his chair, Jake scoffed, “What now? Haven’t I already confessed? I’ll take whatever punishment comes. It’s just defamation—it’s not like I’m going to jail for it.”

Jonathan’s voice was cold and steady. “Who instructed you to target Estella?”

Jake let out an impatient sigh. “How many times do I have to say it? I did it all on my own—”

His words cut off abruptly as Jonathan slid a file across the table toward him.

Jonathan’s lips curled into a faint smile. “No need to rush. Take a look at this first.”

Jake frowned in confusion and flipped open the file. But before he could even read the first page, he slammed it shut, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. His eyes widened in shock. “How did you get this…?”

Jonathan, a seasoned lawyer, understood exactly how to exploit legal loopholes. Many of Jake’s posts and videos contained inflammatory language and manipulative content.

What made it worse was that a large portion of Jake’s audience were still students.

That detail changed everything.

This wasn’t just a simple defamation case anymore—it was far more serious.

Jonathan’s tone remained calm but authoritative. “My time is limited. You have three minutes to decide whether you want to tell me who put you up to this.”

Jake swallowed hard. “Alright, I’ll talk!”

Meanwhile, Selene and Lana arrived at Jake’s studio.

Inside, they found him slumped over his desk, nursing a bottle of alcohol.

After confessing to Jonathan, Jake had been warned: if he posted anything else online, Jonathan would dismantle every word until Jake’s career was completely destroyed.

His days as an influencer were over.

And since he had given up Isabelle, she would no longer support him.

He was finished.

Jake regretted ever crossing paths with her. Before Isabelle, his life had been smooth and predictable.

Now, everything was shattered.

As he drowned his bitterness in drink, the office door creaked open.

Selene and Lana stepped inside, their eyes fixed on him.

Without beating around the bush, they asked, “Who told you to smear Estella?”

Too drunk and defeated to care anymore, Jake spat out the truth without hesitation. “Isabelle. It was Isabelle who ordered me to do it. If you want revenge, go after her. Leave me alone.”

Selene and Lana exchanged stunned glances.

Neither had expected him to reveal Isabelle’s name so easily.

Later, standing on the street outside, Selene asked, “So… can I sue Isabelle now?”

Lana thought for a moment. “Yes, you can. But Isabelle’s wealthy. At worst, she’ll just pay some compensation—it won’t really hurt her. What worries me is that she won’t stop. If she keeps targeting Estella, she’ll keep trying to destroy your music center.”

The night air was heavy with tension as they absorbed the gravity of what lay ahead.

The chapter closes with the weight of betrayal and revelation settling heavily on Estella and her allies. The emotional turmoil that began with the defamation has deepened, exposing not just a personal attack but a calculated scheme orchestrated by someone close to the heart of the conflict. Selene’s unwavering support and Jonathan’s relentless pursuit of truth underscore the themes of loyalty, justice, and resilience in the face of manipulation. Estella’s determination to confront the source of her pain reflects her strength, even as the path ahead grows more complicated and fraught with danger.

As the night deepens, the characters stand at a crossroads, aware that the battle is far from over. The exposure of Isabelle’s role shifts the focus from individual blame to a larger, more insidious threat, challenging them to prepare for the struggles to come. The chapter’s emotional arc, marked by shock, resolve, and cautious hope, leaves the reader with a poignant sense of the costs of deception and the courage required to face it head-on.

The next chapter promises to deepen the intrigue surrounding Isabelle’s true motives and the lengths she’s willing to go to maintain her influence. As Selene and Lana prepare to take legal action, the emotional stakes rise—not just for Estella, but for everyone caught in this tangled web of power and betrayal. Readers can anticipate intense confrontations and the unveiling of hidden alliances that may shift the balance of control.

Meanwhile, Jake’s confession opens a door that could lead to unexpected repercussions for all involved. His downfall is just beginning, and the consequences of his choices will ripple through the story, challenging loyalties and testing the resilience of those determined to protect Estella. The tension between justice and vengeance will heighten, leaving readers eager to discover who will emerge stronger and who might be broken beyond repair.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.