Chapter 11
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The private room suddenly got really quiet, but Audrey didnât seem to notice. She kept playing a game on her phone with Brian. Suddenly, she got a message from Carly. [Baby, why donât you come see me? Donât you love me anymore?]
Audrey replied, [Iâll come see you in a couple of days!]
Carly: [Iâll be waiting!]
Audrey: [See you then!]
After replying, Audrey went back to playing the game with Brian. The only sound in the room was them playing. Audreyâs character in the game was surrounded by five enemies. She took down four of them and was about to attack the fifth when a news alert popped up on her screen. It read, âPopular actress visits the Clifford family with her parents, warmly welcomed by Dylan Clifford. Rumors say theyâre getting engaged.â
After seeing the news, Audrey heard her character get defeated. She pouted and put her phone aside, annoyed.
Brian finished his game and put his phone down too. He kept glancing over at Dylan, frowning a bit.
Neither Dylan nor Audrey spoke, making the room feel awkwardly quiet until Dylanâs phone rang.
Dylan answered, hearing Cade asking, âMr. Clifford, are you really getting engaged to that Sarah?â
Dylan frowned, annoyed. âWhat engagement?â
âYou donât know? The news about you and Sarahâs engagement is all over the internet! Everyoneâs talking about it! I already shared the link in the group.â
âHold on!â Dylan frowned and checked the group chat, seeing Andrew and Shawn also asking about it.
After reading the news, Dylan coldly posted in the group chat. [Sarah? I donât know her!]
Shawn immediately replied in the group chat. [Arenât you at the Clifford family \mansion?]
Dylan raised his phone and snapped a picture of his surroundings, sending it to the
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group. The photo showed a bit of Audreyâs hand, delicate and clearly a girlâs hand.
Shawn: [Are you out with a woman?]
Dylan: [Yeah, with my girlfriend.]
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Andrew, Shawn, and Cade all fell silent.
Dylan exited the group chat and said coldly into the phone still connected to Cade, âUse your account to clear up the rumors.â With that, he hung up.
Cade silently rolled his eyes, wondering why these annoying tasks always fell to him.
Cade was the CEO of a game
mpany called Jurassic King, and he had a verified account online. He took two minutes to craft a message and then posted it with his account. âHey, guys, I know everyoneâs curious if certain news is true. I just got the answer from Mr. Clifford.â
Attached was a screenshot of Dylanâs earlier group message.
Sarah, knowing she was going to the Clifford family house for lunch today, had her assistant contact reporter
to stake out near the house. She told them to take pictures of her entering the Clifford family mansion and to write in the news that she was warmly welcomed by Dylan, hinting at their engagement.
Sarah had been heavily criticized online yesterday, so she came up with this plan to save her reputation. To ensure its success, she even paid to make it a trending topic. But save her reputation. To ensure its s
to her shock, the rumor was exposed as fake news just ten minutes after it started
trending.
Cadeâs post quickly became a trending topic, and everyone online started mocking and insulting Sarah.
âWhat a shameless bitch. She made everyone think Dylan personally welcomed her, but he wasnât even at the Clifford family mansion! Sheâs such a clown!â
âLooks like Dylan already has a girlfriend? So Sarah is a homewrecker? Wow, like mother, like daughter!â
âI used to think she was pretty and kind, now I find her disgusting!â
At the Clifford family mansion, Sarah was chatting with Claire, feeling a bit down because she was there to discuss her engagement to Dylan, but Dylan wasnât home.
âHow about the 5th of next month? That date looks pretty good!â Claire suggested, looking at a calendar.
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âSounds great! Weâll go with your choice!â Rebecca said with a smile, then frowned, adding, âBut if we set the date like this, wonât Mr. Clifford have an opinion?â
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The Hernandez family was wealthy, but nowhere near as rich as the Clifford family. Ten Hernandez families couldnât match the Clifford familyâs wealth. Plus, Dylan was the most respected man in Northville. Rebecca didnât dare to offend him.
Hearing Dylanâs name, Claireâs expression turned slightly displeased. She said, âDonât worry, if I set the date, he wonât dare to oppose it!â
âThatâs great.â Rebecca felt relieved hearing Claireâs words.
Sarah sat quietly beside them. Suddenly, she noticed her phone buzzing in her bag. Glancing at Rebecca and Claire who were still chatting, she stepped aside to take the call.
âDonât you know I have important things to do today? Why are you calling me non- stop?â Sarah said impatiently.
âSarah, itâs urgent! You better check the news online and come back to the office quickly!â her assistant said urgently.
âGot it!â Sarah snapped, hanging up. She opened her phone to check the news, and her face turned pale as she read.
Sarah was shocked. She had planned everything perfectly and couldnât understand why Cade would suddenly post a message at this moment. Suddenly, Audreyâs face popped into her mind. She was sure the hand in Dylanâs photo belonged to Audrey. She had long suspected Audrey was back for revenge, trying to steal Dylan from her. Now, she was even more convinced.
âSarah, donât just stand there. Come over and talk to Mrs. Clifford!â Rebecca called out, but was surprised to see Sarahâs face twisted in anger.
Noticing Rebecca looking at her, Sarah quickly changed her expression to one of sadness and pity. Her eyes filled with tears, and Rebecca felt a pang of sympathy.
âSarah, whatâs wrong? Tell me why youâre upset,â Rebecca asked with concern.
William and Claire also looked at Sarah. Seeing her sad and tearyâeyed, William felt his heart ache. âSarah, tell us whatâs going on.â
âMom, Dad, how could Dylan do this to me?â Sarahâs expression grew more sorrowful as tears streamed down her face.
At the mention of Dylan, Claireâs expression changed. âSarah, what happened? Did
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Dylan hurt you? Tell me, and Iâll make sure he pays for it!â
âDylan is with my sister!â Sarah shouted.
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