Chapter 8: The Media Storm
Chapter 8: The Media Storm
James did not back down easily. Exactly as Eleanor had predicted, he began using his financial influence to seek revenge. One morning, tabloids simultaneously ran malicious headlines targeting Eleanor's charity and Lily's shop.
"The Hypocrisy of Fallen Aristocrats: Is Eleanor Vanderbilt’s Charity a Money Laundering Scheme?"
"Lily: The Failed Gold-Digger and Her Ragged Coastal Tailor Shop."
Reporters from the city flooded into the small town, besieging Lily’s shop and Eleanor’s office. They shoved cameras and microphones into the two women's faces, throwing toxic questions at them.
"Miss Lily, did you call off the wedding because James discovered you had a secret lover?"
"Mrs. Eleanor, can you explain the true source of your charity's funding?"
Lily felt a suffocating tightness in her chest as the harrowing memories of the night before her wedding came rushing back. But this time, she wasn't alone.
Eleanor stepped out in front of the crowd of reporters, her posture commanding and regal. Instead of dodging the lenses, she stared directly into the camera of the largest television network.
"You want the truth? Then listen closely. The financial ledgers for 'Sarah’s Dream' are publicly updated on our website every single day. Every penny comes from the liquidation of my final personal assets."
She paused, her expression turning entirely contemptuous.
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"As for James? Why don't you ask him why a supposed 'victim' has to resort to these filthy media smear campaigns against a young woman's small tailor shop? Could it be that he is terrified of the dark secrets of his own family being exposed?"
Eleanor's fierce declaration silenced the crowd. The reporters began to realize that even though this woman no longer wielded millions, her intellect and sharp claws were still formidable enough to tear any enemy to shreds.
