Chapter 62
Haynes felt a slight shiver run down his spine. There was something different about Stella that he couldn’t focus on. Was she serious about wanting a divorce?
But his phone buzzed before he could ponder any further. Haynes hurriedly left the room with a furrowed brow, leaving Stella behind without a second glance.
Outside, the giant screen on the side of the building was playing a video that had everyone talking. It was the clip of Stella’s supposed “hit and run.” But as it played, the truth became crystal clear. Rachel’s car had deliberately swerved into Stella’s path.
At first, the bystanders watching the video were confused. “What’s going on here? Is someone getting away with attempted murder?”
“Good grief. Did you see that car? It didn’t even slow down! That must be intentional.”
“Did they mistake the accelerator for the brake? But that was way too deliberate to be an accident.”
Soon, the video shifted to show Rachel sobbing, playing the victim, claiming she didn’t have much time left to live and lamenting about a bracelet on her wrist meant to be a family heirloom for the O’Brien family’s daughter-in-law.
Stella was disappointed with Keen, but he was just a kid. Not wanting to subject him to the harsh judgment of the internet, she avoided mentioning him. What remained was enough to make her point-Rachel bragging about how Haynes doted on her.
The crowd was abuzz with chatter after watching the video.
“Wow, Rachel is a real piece of work, isn’t she? She sure doesn’t look like someone getting bullied.”
“She’s got some nerve, flaunting her stuff right before the wife. Mrs. O’Brien must have nerves of steel to sit through that. I would’ve slapped her silly!”
“Did you hear that? She said Haynes would drop everything, even if he were with his wife, to come running when she calls. Talk about shameless!”
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Rachel’s popularity online meant she still had plenty of defenders. Some fans even tried to twist the narrative in her favor.
“Stella stole Rachel’s man first! It’s karma coming back around.”
“Rachel’s only got a little time left. She only wants to set things right. What’s so wrong about that?”
“Stella, let Haynes go. You’re only losing a marriage, but Rachel’s losing her life!” But Stella didn’t back down. She released evidence showing Rachel and Haynes had broken up long before Stella entered the picture, effectively silencing Rachel’s supporters.
In a video statement, Stella declared, “I’ve gathered all the evidence of the false rumors, malicious comments, and privacy violations against me and handed it to my lawyer for legal action.”
“And for those who physically attacked me, I will pursue criminal charges.”
By that afternoon, the police issued an official statement. After a thorough investigation, the police found Rachel should solely be responsible for the car accident, urging the public to cease the online harassment.
Not long after the announcement, those so-called “eyewitnesses” who had been so sure of Stella’s guilt apologized, admitting they had fabricated their stories for a moment in the spotlight.