Chapter 290 Reconciliation
“As expected, the prettier a woman is, the more cunning she is!”
“What kind of spell does Renee have over William? He is completely obsessed with her!”
“Forget William–he’s the real victim here! Haven’t you seen the photos?”
“What photos? Someone please send them to me!”
“I want to see them, too!”
“Me, too!”
The internet exploded with vicious comments, the hottest discussions circling around the scandalous rumors of Renee and Eric’s supposed affair.
People loved nothing more than poking their noses into messy, scandalous relationships–condemning them on one hand while eagerly digging for more details on the other.
A woman like Renee, blessed with both beauty and privilege, was an easy target for jealousy. Even strangers wanted to watch her fall.
But Renee had no intention of giving people that satisfaction.
She would hold her head high and prove them all wrong.
“How’s the investigation I asked you to do?” She typed steadily on her laptop, an earpiece in place as she spoke to Ryland over the phone.
Ryland sounded completely confident. “Relax! I’ll have everything sorted out soon! A few internet trolls are nothing against me!”
“Good,” Renee replied.
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Ryland chuckled and then added smugly, “I even took the time to argue with some of them online! I’m waging war tonight–whoever logs off first is a coward!”
Renee shook her head in resignation. “Don’t waste your time on that. Once the truth comes out, all those hateful voices will vanish on their own.”
“I’ll drag them out one by one and knock some sense into them!” Ryland declared, brimming with fury.
“Who are you trying to teach a lesson in the middle of the night? Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Claude’s voice rang out on Ryland’s end.
Renee chuckled. “Go spend time with your husband. We’ll talk tomorrow. By then, things should start turning around.”
After ending the call, Renee closed out of the intelligence agency’s information network. Reaching for her water cup, she realized it was empty. With a sigh, she stood up and headed downstairs to refill it.
As she neared the staircase, voices from the living room caught her attention. Eric and Esme were deep in conversation.
“I’ve watched Sylvia grow up since she was a child. How can you expect me to just turn my back on her and do this?” Esme’s voice was laced with
hesitation.
“You are unable to do it?” Eric’s tone sharpened. “Do you have any idea how many underhanded things she has done behind our backs for William? If it weren’t for her, would you have been so blinded back then, constantly finding fault with Renee? Our son and daughter–in–law have finally reconciled–do you really want to stir up more trouble in this family over
an outsider?”
Renee turned on her heel, deciding it was best not to linger. Eavesdropping wasn’t exactly polite. But before she could retreat, Olivia, who had just put Felix to sleep upstairs, descended the steps and greeted her with a bright
smile.
“Good evening!”
Renee stiffened.
Well. There went her cover.
“Are you heading downstairs for water? Let me get it for you!” Olivia said cheerfully.
Renee quickly waved her off. “Thank you, but I was actually just heading back to my room.” She really wanted to leave the scene quickly.
Olivia blinked in confusion.
“Is that Renee?” Esme called out from the living room.
Suppressing a sigh, Renee rubbed her temples. There was no backing out now. Resigned, she made her way downstairs.
Renee then greeted Eric and Esme with a polite tone.
Eric and Esme exchanged a glance after seeing her.
Renee said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine!” Esme interjected before she could finish.
With a warm smile, she continued, “We’re family now. I know I mishandled a lot of things in the past, but let’s not dwell on that anymore. From now on, I just want our family to be happy together.”
Eric, never one for sentimental moments, cleared his throat awkwardly and said, “Renee, we were talking about sending Sylvia abroad. We know having her around makes you uncomfortable, so…”
“It’s fine,” Renee said, her expression calm. “Whether she stays or leaves doesn’t make a difference to me. But there are some things I think you
should know–the truth.”
