Chapter 36

William held back his anger and spoke softly, "Just behave for the next two months. Once I'm married, I'll give you what you want. Deal?"

Victoria thought it over, then gritted her teeth and agreed.

William tossed a check at her and said, "Here's your pay for this month. You've done well."

He patted her face and walked away.

Victoria picked up the check, clutching it tightly. A whirlwind of emotions hit her.

After a while, she finally put the check away.

Meanwhile, Ella locked herself in her house and turned on all the lights.

Her face was as pale as a ghost, her eyes empty and filled with fear, her body trembling like a leaf.

The horrifying memory of being locked in the basement kept replaying in her mind. Every detail made her shiver.

Willow opened the door and saw Ella, who still looked terrified, even after being back for a few days. Her heart ached, and she called out, "Ella!"

She rushed over and held Ella's cold hand, trying to comfort her. "Goodness, you look absolutely terrified! William is such a jerk! You're his fiancée; how could he do this to you?"

Seeing Willow, Ella clung to her like a lifeline. She cried out, "Mom! I'm scared! There were so many bugs and rats! It was always dark! I'm so scared!"

Hearing this, Willow hugged Ella tightly, her teeth grinding in anger.

Ella, whom Willow had pampered for over twenty years, had suffered so much.

The one behind all this was that wretched woman, Victoria!

If it weren't for that scheming Victoria seducing William, he wouldn't have made Ella suffer like this!

Willow would never let anyone bully her Ella!

This time, she wouldn't let Victoria get away with it!

But since William was so protective of Victoria, going after her directly wouldn't work.

Willow had to come up with a plan and use someone else to do the dirty work. She would make sure Victoria fell from grace and never recovered!

Today, there was a small exhibition, and Victoria was chatting and laughing with Wendy while arranging the displayed works.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a swarm of media personnel with cameras and microphones rushed in, bombarding Victoria with sharp questions.

"Victoria, it's rumored that you stayed at Starry Studio Gallery by selling your body to the gallery's shareholders. Is that true?"

"With just a high school diploma, how did you get into a gallery that only accepts top university graduates? Is there some shady deal involved?"

"Victoria, everyone is curious, in such a tough job market, what underhanded methods you used to secure a position at Starry Studio Gallery with such low qualifications. Is your body your biggest asset?"

Hearing this, Victoria was stunned, her face turning pale.

She opened her mouth but didn't know where to start.

Wendy was also shocked by the sudden scene but instinctively stood in front of Victoria, angrily saying, "Don't talk nonsense! Victoria is not that kind of person!"

But the media reporters ignored her and continued to press Victoria.

Victoria tried to calm herself, her voice trembling. "These are all rumors. I stayed at the gallery through my own efforts. I didn't take any shortcuts."

But her explanation seemed weak amidst the chaos.

The media reporters didn't believe her words.

Flashes kept going off, lighting up Victoria's pale face.

Seeing the chaos, Diana knew talking wouldn't help, so she called security to kick the reporters out.

Once the room finally quieted down, Wendy let out a sigh of relief.

She looked at Victoria with concern and tried to comfort her, "Those reporters are full of it. Don't let it get to you."

Victoria was still in shock from the sudden incident. Hearing Wendy's words, she forced a smile.

Diana was also annoyed seeing the reporters still hanging around outside the gallery. She knew it wasn't Victoria's fault, but for now, she could only let Victoria stay home for a few days, for both her sake and the gallery's.

Diana sighed and said to Victoria, "Take a few days off. Don't come to the gallery for now, just rest at home."

When Victoria heard this, her face turned even paler, and she stammered, "Ms. Simpson, are you firing me?"

Seeing that Victoria misunderstood, Diana quickly waved her hand and said, "No, I'm just asking you to go home to avoid any trouble. Don't worry, I've already asked the PR department to draft a statement. I know you're innocent and I won't fire you over baseless accusations."

Victoria felt a bit more at ease hearing this.

Seeing Victoria calm down, Diana arranged for someone to drive her home.

However, on the way, Victoria got a call from Elara. Elara said, "Victoria, don't go home yet. There are people swarming outside your house. Find a hotel to hide in for now; don't let them catch you."

Victoria's heart sank. After comforting Elara, Victoria asked her colleague to drop her off at the nearest hotel.

But when Victoria was about to check in, she realized her ID was still at home.

Standing at the hotel entrance, she looked around, not knowing where to go.

She took out her phone and casually scrolled through Instagram, short video apps, and Twitter, only to find them filled with slander and insults against her.

[Victoria, that shameless bitch, will stop at nothing to climb up. She's a disgrace to the art world!]

[How can someone with just a high school diploma get into Starry Studio Gallery? Jobs are so hard to find nowadays. Countless college graduates are unemployed, and even students from prestigious universities are struggling to find work. She must have used underhanded means to steal others' opportunities. What right does she have to stay? Get out of the art world!]

[How dare someone who sells their body still live in this world? She's a parasite on society!]

[Why does a high school graduate get such good resources? She must have used shady methods. Are the shareholders of Starry Studio Gallery blind to let such trash stay there?]

[No wonder, she's Alvin's daughter, just as despicable! Trash genes!]

[Exactly, Alvin and Victoria Carter are two of a kind-garbage!]

One vicious and malicious comment after another stabbed at Victoria's heart like knives.

Her body went weak, almost collapsing to the ground.

Victoria's hands trembled uncontrollably, and tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't understand why people would maliciously slander her when she had done nothing wrong. Was not finishing college destined to make her feel inferior?

Even if she gave her all and worked hard, could she still not change her fate?

Victoria wandered aimlessly through the streets, her mind blank, feeling dizzy, with a constant buzzing in her ears.

It was as if the world had abandoned her.