Chapter 150

Even though he'd stepped down, Jasper, as the former big cheese of a major company, still had tons of connections in the media.

Pretty soon, news about Isabella ditching her parents and running off solo was all over the headlines.

The next day, when Isabella got to work, she noticed her coworkers giving her weird looks.

While she was still trying to figure out what was going on, Madeline strutted over with her arms crossed and sneered, "Ms. Taylor, I never thought you'd be so cold-hearted, leaving your parents to save your own skin. Did you feel any guilt when you heard your parents were almost buried alive?"

Isabella's brow furrowed. When she left, she had no clue about any of this, not even that Paxton was looking for her. She only found out everything after she got to Aurora Continent.

What really puzzled Isabella was how Madeline knew about all this.

Just then, Isabella's assistant Juliet rushed over. "Ms. Taylor, Mr. Larson wants to see you."

Isabella frowned and headed to Dwayne's office.

Dwayne sighed as he looked at Isabella and placed a tablet in front of her. "This is this morning's news. Take a look."

Isabella clicked on the news and her face immediately darkened.

The news showed an interview with Jasper, who was lying in a hospital bed.

Jasper tearfully talked about the struggles of raising Isabella and the overwhelming pressure he faced after the company went under. He claimed that Isabella not only failed to do her duty as a daughter but also fled solo when faced with danger, leaving him and Mia in a perilous predicament.

"Isabella's husband is a shameless jerk. He once tried to kidnap us, but we managed to escape. He did all this because we didn't agree to our daughter being with him. Yet our foolish daughter still chose to marry him! That jerk even flaunted it in front of me and insulted me! Calling me a lousy, failed man who let down my old man and couldn't raise my daughter right! I feel like I've let down my daughter." Jasper cried into the camera.

The scene then cut to the reporter, who said seriously, "To reduce a strong man to tears like that-doesn't Isabella feel even a little guilty or sorry for what she did to her father?"

"I only feel it's absurd and laughable." Isabella rolled her eyes and handed the tablet back to Dwayne.

"I can assure you that everything my father said is a lie. Whether you believe it or not, the truth is what I'm saying. So, what's the company's decision regarding me? Are they going to fire me because of all this negative publicity?" Isabella asked calmly, looking at Dwayne.

Dwayne shook his head with a wry smile. "Don't worry, your job is safe. The boss personally told me that. He also asked if you need his help."

Isabella was momentarily stunned but quickly shook her head with a smile. "No, I know what to do next."

Dwayne nodded. "The boss figured you'd turn down his offer, and he also said he doesn't think that video shows the real you. If you run into any problems you can't solve, let me know and I'll relay the message to him."

Isabella said, "Thanks, Mr. Larson. And please thank the boss for me too, but I really don't need his help."

After leaving Dwayne's office, Isabella headed back to her own.

As soon as she sat down, Juliet came in holding a box.

"Ms. Taylor, someone sent you a package. We don't know what's inside. And, is the news going to affect you?" Juliet asked, looking worried.

Isabella looked at Juliet and smiled. "Do you believe what the news says?"

Juliet shook her head. "No way, that's not you. You're kind, gentle, confident, and strong! You even stood up for me and argued with others. I don't believe you'd do something like that to your parents."

Isabella took the box from Juliet and smiled. "Thanks for your trust. Don't worry. This won't affect me. The truth will come out soon enough."

"That's a relief. I overheard some people talking trash about you in the office. I was itching to give them a piece of my mind!" Juliet exclaimed, her fists clenched in anger.

"Ignore them. Damn it, what is this?" Isabella frowned as she opened the box.

Inside was a female doll with a note attached to it bearing Isabella's name. The doll had been torn apart, and a blade was stuck in its neck.

"This is a curse, isn't it? Damn it, who sent this? We need to report this to the police," Juliet said, reaching for her phone.

Isabella didn't stop her. She smiled and closed the box.

"Someone found my location so quickly and is already sending me threats! Those bored netizens really have some skills," Isabella said, seemingly unbothered.

Online harassment was just a bunch of losers venting their negative emotions. They claimed to be righteous, spreading their theories and believing everything they did was right. They never considered the truth, nor did they have any evidence. They just believed what they wanted to believe.

There was once a movie called "The Hunt," which had a line that perfectly described this situation:

"He stands in the sunlight, and I can't see his face."

The film spun a dark tale: the protagonist facing injustice, studying psychology, and eventually turning into Hannibal. Thinking about this grim irony, Isabella shook her head and sat down at her desk.

Just then, Isabella got a call from Michael.

Michael originally wanted to offer support to Isabella as her boss, but Dwayne had already told him that Isabella refused his help. So he could only ask if she needed his assistance as her husband.

"Hey honey, I saw the news. Do you need me to handle this?" Michael's gentle voice came through the phone.

Michael's voice exuded confidence, as if this trouble could be easily resolved in his eyes.

"Darling, I know you're worried about me, but rest assured, I have a strong heart, and I already know how to resolve this." Isabella's lips curled into a confident smile, though there was a hint of coldness in it.