Chapter 397

As Isabella was about to head out from work, she heard the rapid clacking of high heels echoing down the hallway.

She frowned and glanced at the office door. Before long, there was a loud, urgent knock.

"Come in," Isabella called out, and Carol burst in.

"Ms. Taylor, do you know you've been exposed? Were you meeting a guy at a café today?" Carol blurted out as soon as she stepped in.

Isabella was caught off guard. "Are you talking about Joseph?"

Carol paused, then snapped, "You actually went on a date with a guy? Do you realize this is all over the internet? It's going to seriously affect our products."

Isabella's brow furrowed as she quickly pulled out her phone to check the news. Soon enough, she found a video making the rounds online.

In the clip, Joseph was holding Isabella's hand, and it looked like they were talking, but there was no sound.

The video was short, showing Joseph holding Isabella's hand and then letting go, but it was clear to everyone that there was a loving look in his eyes.

Given Isabella's popularity, the comments below the video were numerous.

Many were shocked, accusing Isabella of having an affair.

Some made snide remarks, suggesting that once people had money, they engaged in extramarital affairs regardless of gender.

Others were stunned that the man in the video was Joseph.

Some recognized Joseph as a well-known heir of one of the four major families, leading to wild speculation about the relationships between John, Joseph, and Isabella.

"Look at the way he's holding your hand. Oh my, you didn't really cheat, did you?" Carol asked nervously.

Isabella shook her head. "How could I betray my husband? This is clearly someone targeting me. I wasn't alone with Joseph; we were with his sister Avery."

"Then why was Joseph holding your hand?" Carol asked.

Isabella shrugged. "He wanted to confess to me, but I turned him down."

Carol smirked. "Wow, you really are something. You even managed to catch the eye of the second heir of one of the four major families."

Isabella spread her hands helplessly. "There's no point in mocking me now. They must have the full video, probably with Avery in it, but they haven't released it. They're clearly targeting me."

"Who could it be?" Carol asked.

Isabella furrowed her brow, thinking hard, and suddenly remembered seeing someone who looked like Bianca that day.

"It might be Bianca. I think I saw her that day, but Avery called me over, so it must have been a chance encounter." Isabella sighed, feeling like she was cursed. It seemed like the universe didn't want her to have an easy time.

Carol furrowed her brow. "We should send someone to that café now; maybe we can find some surveillance footage to clear your name."

Isabella shook her head. "It's too late. Bianca's not dumb; she probably already got her hands on the footage."

Carol rubbed her temples in frustration. "So what's our next move? The public needs an explanation. And Joseph - what was that hand-holding about? Was he swatting a fly or something?" She let out an exasperated sigh. "The way he looked at you... it was like he wanted to eat you alive."

Isabella was stumped. "I guess I can call Joseph and ask him to clear things up. But he might not agree, considering I turned him down."

"Well, it's worth a shot. Hurry up and call him. I want to hear what he has to say," Carol urged.

Isabella pulled out her phone and dialed Joseph's number, but it just kept ringing.

"What's going on? Why isn't he picking up?" Isabella frowned and double-checked the number.

"Maybe he's upset because you rejected him and blocked your number? Try calling from my phone," Carol suggested, handing her phone to Isabella.

Isabella took Carol's phone, dialed Joseph's number again, but still no answer.

"Maybe he's drunk and can't hear his phone. People do that when they're emotionally wrecked," Carol said, sounding a bit defeated.

"Forget it, I'll call Avery and see if she can help," Isabella sighed and dialed Avery.

Avery picked up quickly.

"What's up, Isabella? What's going on?" Avery asked, sounding curious.

Isabella quickly filled her in on the situation.

"I'm sorry, Isabella, my brother might really be drunk. When I called him, he didn't answer, and the last time I reached him, he seemed to be at a bar," Avery explained with a wry smile.

Feeling frustrated, Isabella scratched her head. "Can you help me release a statement to prove I didn't cheat?"

Avery nodded. "Sure, I'll do that now, but will the public believe it?"

"Doing something is better than nothing," Isabella sighed and hung up.

After hanging up, Avery turned to Joseph, who was sitting silently.

"What are you doing? Isabella's in trouble because of you, do you get that?" Avery glared at him angrily.

In reality, Joseph hadn't gone to a bar; he had been at home the whole time. Avery had lied again, and it made her feel a bit guilty.

"Do you think this misunderstanding might cause a rift between Isabella and her husband, giving me a chance?" Joseph's eyes flashed with a hint of madness as he looked at Avery expectantly.

Avery's response was a slap across his face.