Gossip Girl Reborn by Darlene Nunez

Chapter 71 Malicious

Finished

Connor said, "Had it not been for the obstacles four years ago, you two might have been together already. Why

torment yourself with denial?"

A flicker of panic crossed William's eyes. "I've never even thought about cheating or doing anything that would

betray Jessica."

"But now, the online community doesn't see it that way. Anything that's been leaked now absolutely can't be

seen as you being unfaithful. Otherwise, both you and Jennie will be done for." Seeing that William refused to

admit it, Connor could only continue his impassioned analysis.

"Even if we have to make Jennie the villain, you can claim that you and Jessica are in business together simply

because you are just assisting your junior. You didn't expect any

misunderstanding to result, but that's still not enough to prove your innocence. People would still accuse you of

behaving improperly and not being prudent enough..."

Losing his temper out of embarrassment, William interrupted, "I've done nothing wrong. I'm completely

innocent."

"But your sponsorship deals and the company's stock prices have all been affected. It's not something your clear

conscience can reverse," Connor said. "You

can't be the one at fault. Only by being seen as a victim can you preserve everything you Listen to me, a divorce

can..."

have n

"Enough, stop talking. | won't agree to a

divorce," William stated firmly.

"So, what's your solution? That video makes it impossible for Jennie to clear her name. If we just ignore it, the

result would be the sas making her take the blfor everything. But can you bear that? Jennie is a

talented actress. If we choose this path, it would comple William's body stiffened, his gaze growing vacant. His

lips trembled as he said, "I can't do that to Jessica! She hasn't done anything wrong."

Connor's expression shifted suddenly as he said, "That may not necessarily be the case."

Taken aback, William immediately looked at Connor and asked, "What do you mean?" Connor elaborated calmly,

"What's the story behind those photos of Jessica looking sick?"

William was shaken when he remembered the matter. A flash of concern crossed his mind. Could she really be

sick?

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"Didn't you mention that she feigned illness to stop you from helping Jennie? How can it be so coincidental?"

Connor asked, "And why didn't she answer her phone after the incident? Was she feeling guilty?" William was

stunned, his brows furrowed as he said, "So, you're suggesting she deliberately staged those photos to stir up

more ."

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Chapter 71 Malicious

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"It's obvious that he saw an opportunity to take revenge on you, garner sympathy from the netizens, take the

moral high ground, and force you to have a change of heart and abandon Jennie?" Connor said dismissively.

William's eyes flickered at the thought. That's right. It's impossible for Jessica to fall ill abruptly. For these photos

to suggest otherwise, she must have faked the issue.

"Her recklessness has caused us a great deal of trouble. William, you really should teach her a lesson. It's one

thing if she can't help with your career, but trying to hinder it is just too much."

Connor was well aware that given William's acting skills, he was currently at the peak of his popularity. At his

age, it was tto pivot and seek greater development. Therefore, the plan he had in mind was for William and

Jennie to help each other advance in their mid- career, rather than having a housewife like Jessica who could

only hide in the shadows and constantly worry about the risk of exposure.

While William consistently maintained his boundaries, thwarting Connor's plans, the latter believed that

ultimately, William would follow his heart and choose true love.

Now, the opportunity had presented itself.

William's expression was beginning to darken. Growing agitated, he wanted to call Jessica again. But still, no one

answered.

Connor tried to persuade him further, but William remained resolute, not intending to give in.

Connor let out a sigh, focusing on resolving the current predicament. "Actually, you could pacify Jessica and get

the divorce procedures over with. Treat it as a pretend divorce, and wait for the storm to pass before taking any

further steps."

When the tcfor them to decide whether they were going to remarry each other or someone else,

Connor couldn't care less about it.

William noticeably paused. A pretend divorce and a real divorce evidently meant two different things to him even

though they were the sin the eyes of the law.

Connor sensed an opportunity and said candidly, "You need to have a frank discussion with Jessica about the

pros and cons of this situation. I'm not targeting your wife, but if Jessica takes the fall, the damage will be

minimal. She's a commoner, so even if she gets bad pre surely cooperate."

William's eyes flickered subtly just as the call connected.

Panic surged in William's heart, but he instinctively asked in the coldest tone, "Where are you? Why haven't you

answered your phone for so long? | have something to discuss with you. Let's meet."

"I'm at the hospital..."

William taken aback foalingthough a fire had enddanly flared within him. Hie hand

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Chapter 71 Malicious

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already heavy with irritation, was now throbbing even more. Yet, Jessica continued to spout nothing but lies.

"Enough! Jessica, stop this already. | admit that | wronged you in the video incident. That was my fault. But is it

necessary for you to add fuel to the fire? | made it clear to you that there's nothing going on betweenand

Jennie. | would never cheat on you, so why do you blackmailemotionally?" William retorted, firmly believing

that Jessica wasn't sick.

All was silent on Jessica's end, causing a moment of inexplicable suffocation for William. Yet, in his frustration, he

blatantly ignored her strange response.

"Forget it, | won't argue with you, nor will | hold a grudge over you posting fake pictures. You're aware of the

situation online, where things have gotten out of hand and Jennie nearly died just now. We've cup with a

solution on our end."

As William

rapidly discussed the pros and cons of whoever would take the blame, he seemed unable to bring up the pretend

divorce. An unexplainable sense of unease filled him every the wanted to do so. As Connor continuously

urged him, an outburst unexpectedly cfrom. "William, am | hearing things wrong? You wantto admit

that | was the one who started the provocation in the video, and that | was pretending to be sick?

You wantto apologize to everyone online? Have you lost your mind? You clearly know that | was bullied and

wronged, but you still choose to protect Jennie and wantto admit to things that never happened. Is this your

idea of not betraying our marriage? What would At that moment, Jessica was lying helplessly on the bed, her

body drenched in sweat due to the intense pain. Anger made her shiver uncontrollably, her voice almost hoarse

from the force of her screams. It felt as if she was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. William was taken

aback by the harsh words, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the heart at the mention of sleeping with Jennie.

It felt like an insult to his character. In a fit of anger, he retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Stop

arguing, Jessica. | let you down this "Forget it! You expectto clear things up for her and pave the way for

your future? Not a chance! If she's so fond of committing suicide, why hasn't she succeeded? | wish she would

just hurry up and die!" Why should someone like that live, while | have to...

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William hadn't expected such venomous words from Jessica, so much so that he couldn't even hear her cries. In

his anger, he coldly retorted, "If you won't cooperate, then we'll divorce!"

As always, he felt that this was sufficient to intimidate Jessica, who had loved him deeply for many years. After

saying his piece, he was about to hang up the phone, giving her tto reflect.

However, all he heard was Jessica, devoid of all emotions, stating, "I'd rather die than go along with your plan.

Stop dreaming! If it's a divorce you want, then so be it." 314

2:02 PM J.

Chapter 71 Malicious

It was Jessica who ended the call first.

Finished

William was staring at his phone with a grim expression. Meanwhile, the company had already given them a

deadline. There was no room left for them to ponder any

further.

Back at the Quirk manor, everyone grew anxious as they listened to Isabella's concerns. They incessantly

refreshed the trending topics on their phones, skeptical about whether William would really sacrifice his innocent

wife. Given that the couple were childhood sweethearts who loved each other enough to get married, they felt

that he wouldn't be so blinded as to humiliate his wife for a mistress.

However, recalling the matter of the black card and its supplementary card, the Quirks still felt incredulous.

Before long, the first sensational piece of news had surfaced.

A medical report belonging to Jessica was prominently displayed on the homepage of William's agency, boldly

stamped with the word "Healthy" in green.

Public opinion exploded instantly.

"Where did this medical report cfrom? How dare they even forge this?" Evian had the most authority to

speak on this matter, for she was still receiving treatment in the hospital. Isabella also cacross it. "This is...

just outrageous."

"The report doesn't seem to be a fake, but... there's no tstamp." Alexander moved closer to Isabella to look

at her phone, immediately spotting the issue.

Isabella thought, | did sdigging and sure enough, the report is Jessica's medical examination from a year

ago. However, the date had been deliberately

omitted, misleading netizens and causing them to question the authenticity of the photos of her in a hospital

gown. They are practically insinuating that Jessica is a fraud for orchestrating this whole charade.