Chapter 154: Chapter 154: The Socialite Shared by the Wealthy

Recently, there was a raging storm on Weibo, with many popular entertainment bloggers stirring the pot, and quite a few people finally saw through that Fiona Vaughn is the real black-hearted one. Because of this, Fiona has already stopped all her public appearances for a long time.

She didn’t even show up at ASC Television’s annual Fan Carnival.

Everyone thought she was laying low out of shame, but then, somehow, all the negative news on Weibo was suddenly wiped clean. Those who were in the know realized that Fiona had been completely frozen out by ASC Corporation, and they all secretly guessed how much Fiona must’ve spent to hush up public opinion.

No one expected that Fiona would suddenly show up again, even agreeing to an interview with Lychee TV’s weekly program!

...

The moment Cecilia Vaughn heard Fiona Vaughn’s name—while chatting cheerfully with a friend—she immediately looked up and stared straight at the TV screen in the center.

Lychee TV’s host was always straightforward, cutting right to the gossip everyone was most interested in.

"Miss Fiona, we’ve heard your mother once worked at a foot massage parlor, and because of her ’special job’ destroyed your father’s marriage with his original wife, Ms. Sutton. Is that true?"

On TV, Fiona was wearing a long, custom-made white dress. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her look pure and delicate.

"No, that’s not the truth at all."

"Actually... back then, the first wife and my father didn’t get along. As the younger generation, I shouldn’t judge. But now my mother’s being called a homewrecker by the whole internet, and I just feel it’s so unfair to her."

Fiona quickly shook her head, her pearly teeth biting into her trembling lips. She looked like a shy mimosa in the wind, making anyone watching feel protective of her.

"My mother didn’t have much schooling, but she knew the dignity of labor—what’s so shameful about washing other people’s feet? The first wife was born beautiful, talented, witty—qualities my mother could never compare to. She was Stellerton’s top socialite back then, with so many admirers, even after marrying my father, men were still buzzing around her."

"Ah, Father told me not to talk about this—"

As if realizing she said too much, Fiona suddenly covered her mouth with her pale fingers, glancing a bit sheepishly at the host.

Faced with those watery, misty big eyes, anyone’s heart would soften with sympathy. But Fiona had dropped her words halfway, and the host couldn’t help pushing further for answers.

"Miss Fiona, are you saying then that the original wife, Ms. Wendy Sutton, had a dubious reputation and was flirting around outside, and that was the real reason her marriage to your father collapsed?"

"I... my father told me not to say..."

Fiona bit her pearly teeth in distress, as if bursting with a shocking scandal but struggling not to spit it out.

"Miss Fiona, since you agreed to our TV interview, why not just be direct? Don’t you want to clear your mother’s name of unfounded accusations?"

"Fine." Fiona clenched her jaw, as if making a difficult decision, and suddenly looked up at the host, her gaze resolute: "Actually, my father once showed me some photos of the first wife. If everyone saw them, you’d understand."

"Photos? Are you able to display them right here with us?"

"Yes."

The host and Fiona worked perfectly in tandem. The TV screen quickly switched to a series of photos projected for all to see.

Every photo was clearly labeled with a date—some from when Wendy Sutton and Gregory Vaughn were dating, some from Wendy’s wedding, even some after Old Mr. Sutton had just passed away.

The first photo showed Wendy Sutton surrounded by a group of rich young men at a ballroom dance.

The second was from Wendy’s first Valentine’s Day after her marriage, receiving roses from another admirer.

The first two seemed harmless enough, but the ones after were outrageous—candid shots taken from cunning angles, deliberately making it appear that Wendy was always at improper drinking parties, throwing herself at all sorts of successful men!

Only Cecilia Vaughn knew the real story behind those photos!

Back then, after her grandfather died, her mother—lacking business sense—blindly trusted her scumbag father and handed over the entirety of Sutton Enterprises to Gregory Vaughn. Who knew Gregory was a shameless beast in a suit? To boost business, he actually made his own wife go drinking with clients!

Wendy’s pride couldn’t take it. She was so beautiful and Stellerton’s number one socialite; even after marriage, predators still circled. Not only did Gregory fail to protect her, he cloaked it as "company matters" and pushed her out there himself.

Of course Wendy was unwilling, but Gregory was so smooth-tongued, constantly using threats and temptations. He even warned her if she refused, she’d destroy Old Mr. Sutton’s legacy built over decades.

Filial duty and love—both crushed her. Wendy had no choice but to accompany those big bosses for drinks and business dinners.

Sometimes, Gregory was right there, watching other men touch his wife without a blink. He’d tell Wendy to just endure for the "greater good," insisting nothing real ever happened anyway.

Wendy later developed depression, her days shadowed in gloom. All the while, Gregory mocked her failure, saying her moodiness was the reason she couldn’t land clients. That’s when she was finally spared those business dinners.

...

Staring at those pictures now flickering across the TV screen, Cecilia Vaughn felt her mind go blank. It was like someone smashed a sledgehammer full-force into her chest!

That throbbing pain kept rising!

Her dearest mother, so dignified and gentle her whole life, always kind to others, was now being dragged through mud even after death!

What a heartless witch Fiona was. Was her heart made of iron?

Cecilia’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably. Mona Summers saw her face grow pale, instantly worried, and reached to wrap her palm around Cecilia’s in comfort.

"Cecilia, are you alright?"

...

To see her mother trampled like this—Cecilia truly couldn’t bear it.

Yet on the screen, Fiona Vaughn still played the meek, innocent victim, chattering on with the host about the tangled past of Gregory Vaughn, Florence Warner, and Wendy Sutton.

Her words pretended to be fair, but everything—between the lines—splashed all the filth onto the original wife!

In a flash, public opinion on the internet flipped again. Even the news ticker under Lychee TV now ran headlines like: "Once the City’s Top Socialite Now a Common Party Girl, Countless Indiscretions with Wealthy Men."

Some netizens bluntly said—what man could stand being cuckolded? Maybe both of Wendy Sutton’s children weren’t even Gregory’s. No wonder Gregory cheated!

...

Without Cecilia realizing, the broadcast was already ending.

Fiona Vaughn signed off with a fake smile, repeatedly saying she hated to see family affairs debated online, and that she’d take the lead in charity donations, urging everyone to care for left-behind children.

Cecilia Vaughn clenched her fingers tightly, her stomach twisting with nausea.

"I need to use the restroom."

Nodding slightly at Mona Summers, Cecilia got up. As soon as she stepped into the corridor, a pair of figures flashed unbidden across her vision.

Her pupils shrank sharply.