After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 55

Chapter 55

News reports spread quickly, all claiming that the information about Ye Qin’s parents was “accidentally leaked by her assistant,” making Shen Lu the target of a massive online attack.

Wang Lin patted Ye Qin’s shoulder, then turned to Shen Lu. “Come out with me,” she ordered sternly. Shen Lu followed immediately.

Left alone, Ye Qin stood in a daze, unable to grasp why Shen Lu would do this. But with every accusation pointing at her, Ye Qin couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

Outside, Wang Lin showed Shen Lu the articles. “See for yourself. What do you have to say? I’ll give you one chance to explain.”

Shen Lu was shocked, her emotions running high. “I didn’t! Sister Wang, I truly didn’t! You can’t honestly believe I would do this.”

Wang Lin looked at her calmly. “Are you done?” When Shen Lu didn’t reply, Wang Lin continued, her voice filled with anger. “Everyone knows Tan Xueying tried to poach you. She’s our arch-rival, so we have every reason to suspect you. And the worst part is, Ye Qin’s grandmother trusted you with everything, and you turned around and betrayed her.” Shen Lu had never seen her so furious.

Shen Lu was innocent but helpless. All she could offer was a defeated, “I really didn’t…”

Ye Qin, eavesdropping behind the door, felt a crushing pain. She clutched her fists tightly, struggling to stay silent. Sister Wang is right. Shen Lu is the most likely suspect. The thought that Shen Lu’s every smile and action was part of a planned betrayal was unbearable.

Tan Xueying, I’ve truly lost to you this time. I fell in love with the person you planted beside me. How ridiculous.

Just then, Shen Lu walked back in. Ye Qin flinched, then quickly composed herself, her face cold. “What are you doing here? To gloat?”

Shen Lu stopped, looking at Ye Qin’s back. She managed to ask, her voice strained, “Do you… do you believe me?”

After a long silence, Ye Qin sighed, fighting back tears. “It’s too late for pretenses. You can go now. You’ve completed your mission. Go back to Tan Xueying.”

Shen Lu was stunned. “You think I’m a spy sent by Tan Xueying?”

“Are you not?” Ye Qin countered, turning to face her.

“I honestly knew nothing about this. I didn’t do it.”

Ye Qin gave a small, bitter laugh. “Leave. You are no longer my assistant. Out of respect for the past… I won’t curse you. But if I ever see you again, we are enemies.”

Shen Lu swallowed, her voice laced with disappointment. “I can’t believe you truly don’t trust me.”

Ye Qin took a deep, tortured breath, forcing out the cruelest word she could manage: “Get out.”

“Fine.” Shen Lu gave a broken smile, wiped a single hot tear, and turned to leave without looking back.

Standing with her back to the door, Ye Qin finally closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face.

…

Dazed and lost, Shen Lu walked out of Ye Qin’s apartment. She knew going to the company was pointless, as everyone, including Wang Lin and Ye Qin, had already condemned her. She hailed a taxi and gave her home address.

Father Shen was informed by Mother Shen, who had taken time off work because the women in her office were mocking her due to the scandal. Shen Jing, still at work, rushed home after being told his sister was in trouble.

When they arrived, Shen Lu was locked in her room. Mother Shen was frantic, and Father Shen tried to reason with her. Shen Jing made things worse by asking, “Sister, you’re not actually working for Tan Xueying, are you?”

That provoked a sharp shout from inside: “Shen Jing, are you asking for a beating?!”

Shen Jing immediately hid behind his mother, noting, “See, she’s feisty. She’s fine for now.”

The family sat in the living room, distraught and helpless, knowing nothing about the industry’s inner workings or how to protect their daughter.

…

Days later, the full reality of the scandal hit Ye Qin. A recently signed endorsement deal was canceled, forcing her to pay a large breach of contract fee. Other planned collaborations were dropped. Everyone avoided the “murderer’s daughter.” The betrayal was complete; former acquaintances now avoided her.

Shen Lu’s life was also destroyed. Driven by hatred, fans made it impossible for her to leave the house. If she was recognized, she was cursed, chased, and even attacked with trash. Fans even caused a disturbance at her mother’s workplace, leading to a temporary suspension.

Shen Lu’s social media was a cesspool of continuous, vicious comments: “Unfollow, switching to a hater,” “You deserve to die,” “How much money did you take?” She had become universally despised, silently confirmed as the traitor and “eternal sinner” in the eyes of Ye Qin and Wang Lin, with no way to defend herself.

What hurt her most of all was Ye Qin’s profound lack of trust.

One day, she received a call from Grandma, Ye Qin’s grandmother. Fearing a reprimand, Shen Lu was hesitant but answered.

“Lu Lu, can you hear Grandma?”

“I can hear you, Grandma. Please speak.” The grandmother’s kind voice immediately comforted her.

“You should go back, go back to Qin Qin’s side. She needs you.”

Shen Lu smiled bitterly. “Grandma, I can’t go back.”

“Who says so? I’m telling you to go back. Arguments are normal. Everything will be fine after the storm. Listen to Grandma, child?”

“Grandma….”

Shen Lu realized Ye Qin had only told her grandmother they had fought, hiding the accusations of betrayal. Shen Lu forced a weary smile, knowing the true nature of their separation.