After Divorce

Chapter 20 Inquisition

Caroline’s scandal kept worsening despite Cyril’s initial confidence that sufficient money and connections could smooth it over. But seeing the intensifying public ire made him realize the severity. This was beyond trivial resolving.

Reading the incensed commentaries, Cyril knew parts had to be authentic to provoke such reactions. And his own extensive investigations uncovered no hints of fabrication. Reluctantly, he accepted the legitimacy of the accusations.

Numerous times, Cyril almost called Caroline to demand explanations but kept hesitating whenever he recalled their history, putting his phone down again undecidedly. This entire mess was giving him a pounding headache however. He never expected things to spiral so wildly out of control.

Just then, an email notification distracted him. Though sent anonymously, Cyril’s instincts blared warnings it would provide clarity the moment he opened it.

Indeed, detailed timelines about the entire screenplay theft scandal emerged. Meticulous and irrefutable. Similarly exhaustive documentation regarding all the other online scandals followed. Plus confidential disclosures absent from any public reports. Undeniably, everything had been intentionally leaked to him specifically.

Cyril wasn’t foolish, quite shrewd in fact to have conquered the commercial world. One look and he knew everything was true. Someone else had simply refrained from publicizing it.

Unsure how to process this flood of revelations, Cyril impulsively dialed Caroline, unsurprised when she picked up despite the late hour. Injuries or not, current events made rest impossible.

Her gentle concern for his late night call left Cyril unmoved however, irritated she still pretended obliviousness when clearly aware of the tumult somehow.

Did she presume Cyril would continually handle the fallouts unconditionally as long she herself denied all involvement?

“I received a rather interesting email and wanted your thoughts.” Cyril remarked neutrally. The sudden tension from Caroline made it obvious she easily guessed the contents. Yet she

still avoided speaking first.

“Seems you can already surmise what it entails so I won’t elaborate needlessly.”

Panicked into finally responding, Caroline insisted desperately it was all fake, forced against her will every time. Did exposing truths mean losing Cyril’s support and affections forever?

Chapter 20 Inquisition

She had no choice in going along back then!

2/2

Hearing her shrill voice, Cyril just felt tired, realizing she had lied to him repeatedly over the years. He had shielded her previously without questioning veracity, simply believing in her virtue blindly. But matters clearly weren’t that simple.

The more fervently she denied everything, the more convinced of her guilt Cyril became.

“Don’t treat everyone like fools, Caroline. You know the truth best whether you did those deeds willingly or not. This is the last time I step in. Once it’s resolved, leave the country for good. Return and I won’t hesitate to deport you immediately.”

Pausing briefly, Cyril then added. “Consider it the final way out I’m offering you.” 

About to protest further, Caroline understood from Cyril’s implacable tone that his decision was final. No more chances remained for her. 

“Ruthlessly cold after all my years helping you, never once questioning anything before,” she accused bitterly. “What changed to make you suddenly believe it all? Did Sylvia orchestrate this? Why does she hate me so much to target me like this?“