SWNOVELS Chapter 9
Julia felt like she was the scapegoat for Cassie. Everything that was supposed to happen to Cassie was now landing squarely on Julia’s shoulders.
She wanted to tear Cassie apart, but she couldn’t. Her whole plan had fallen apart, and she still had to rely on the Murphy family.
“C**ic is right. I get how you feel, Julia. But with everything that’s happened, we need to sort this out fast.
“Otherwise, by the time you get someone to analyze the video, the rumors will have spread like wildfire. Even if you have solid proof later, how many people will actually believe you? Heston said seriously.
Julia’s face tumed even paler, and slie wasn’t about to give up. Grandpa Heston, please, I really don’t want strangers to see that video. Can you just call and have it taken down?”
Cassie watched Julia silently. On this very night in her past life, when the photos first surfaced, Julia exploded with anger and disbelief and rushed to get them analyzed. But once the results came back, nobody believed Cassie anymore.
“Well, since Julia doesn’t want it, let’s just retract it, Cassie said, looking defeated.
Julia’s eyes lit up at that.
Just as Heston was about to say something more, Cassie’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw it was a socialite she wasn’t too close with. She answered the call.
“Cassie, you need to get online right now. Julia’s video is going viral!” The socialite’s voice was filled with excitement, totally ignoring Julia’s distress.
“It’s gone viral?” Cassie exclaimed, her face a mix of shock and disbelief. “How is that even happening?”
“What? What’s gone viral?” Julia asked in shock. She jumped to her feet, reaching for Cassie’s phone.
Cassie hung up quickly and comforted Julia. Julia, it’s okay. It’s just a fake video. The results will come through soon, and then I’ll have Murphy Group’s legal team put out a statement with the proof of the Al face swap. Fake is fake, and you’ll be fine.”
Julia felt overwhelmed. “How could someone post my video online? Who did this! Who’s trying to ruin me?”
“Julia, Cassie’s right. I have some connections in the media. I can get them to run a piece to clear your supportively.
name, Anne added
“No need… Julia suddenly fell silent. With how things were going, it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. Rather than wait to be embarrassed later, she’d rather admit it now. That way, maybe the Murphy family could help her cover it up.
“Julia, what do you mean by that?” Cassie asked, concerned.
“I don’t need an analysis, Julia said, sounding lost.
“There’s no way we can s**p the analysis. Or how are we supposed to clear your name? Cassie feigned concern.
She knew that every word twisted the knife deeper into Julia’s heart. But more cuts felt trivial compared to the six years of hell she endured in her past life.
“The video is real, Julia curled up, shaking uncontrollably.
“What?” The three elders gasped in shock,
“Julia, don’t talk nonsere You’re this young. There’s no way that video could be real, Anne said seriously.
“Yeah, Julia, you get blushed just talking to guys. How could your Cassie looked utterly incredulous.
“I was… violated.” Julia burst into tears, cradling her head in her hands. “I know it’s humiliating, and I didn’t want to share this. I thought it would all blow over, but I didn’t know someone had recorded it.
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” Anne snapped back to reality, bombarding Julia with questions
Cassie lowered her gaze, hiding a smirk. She was sure Julia wouldn’t dare tell the full truth.
If Julia did, the three elders would know she had taken Cassie to the bar last night and might be suspicious. So, Julia had no choice but to fabricate a story and swallow this bitter pill for the long haul.
“It happened a while ago. They must have drugged me, and after it all went down, my memories are pretty hazy. I can’t remember anything clearly, Julia said vaguely, just as Cassie expected.
Tve been through so much since I was little. If it weren’t for you taking me in, I wouldn’t have made it this far. But today, I’ve humiliated the Murphy family, and I can’t bear to live in this world anymore. With that, Julia suddenly jumped up and mushed toward the window.
Julia Anne gasped, getting up to pull her back quickly.
“Let me go! I can’t survive it!” Julia shouted.
After a chaotic struggle, Julia finally lay back down in bed. And now, no one cared about her earlier lies. To calm her down, Atine promised to sort things out, and then Heston and Anne stepped out to discuss things further.
Cassie sat down beside Julia in silence, watching as Julia cried heartbreakingly. After a while, she spoke up, her charming eyes seeming to pierce through to Julia’s soul. The outfit you wore in that video… it’s the same one you had on yesterday, right?”