“Didn't Brielle display her engagement to Jasper previously? What's keeping her quiet at the moment?"

Mockery and disdain flowed freely from the anti-fans who reveled in her apparent downfall.

Among the deluge of comments, some were from individuals who had attended the funeral that very day. They claimed that Darian's atrocities went beyond what was exposed, expressing their frustration over his refusal to confess, despite overwhelming evidence against him.

A particular comment recounted what happened when Jasper and Sharon were being led away by the authorities. In a desperate plea, Jasper asked Darian for help, only to be met with a cold, emotionless gaze.

The person recounted how Darian stood by, wordless and unmoved, prompting Jasper to scold him for his heartlessness and Lack of empathy.

Unsurprisingly, all the netizens turned their ire towards Darian, lashing out at him from all corners of the internet.

Darian's past was mercilessly unearthed, including the revelation that the Anderson Group had been established using Aimee's savings.

The consequences of the scandal rippled beyond the confines of the digital world. The stocks of the Anderson Group, recently soaring in value, plummeted at an alarming rate. Several business partners who had once collaborated with the group promptly announced the suspension of their partnerships, leaving the company's future hanging in the balance.

As Ariana immersed herself in the sea of comments, her phone buzzed incessantly, signaling incoming messages from various group chats.

Friends and acquaintances wanted to make sure she was okay.

Sarah, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the story, reached out to Ariana privately for confirmation.

Ariana confirmed the authenticity of the scandal. Sarah responded with the word “bastard” and an exploding head emoji.

After responding to Sarah, Ariana sensed a familiar presence behind her. She turned instinctively, her forehead inadvertently meeting Theodore's lips in a gentle collision.

In that brief moment, Ariana's heart quickened its pace, a blush rising to her cheeks. She then stepped back.

Theodore's hair was drenched, with water dripping from his angular face to his Adam's apple and then to his clothing.

Ariana couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions, her pulse racing.

Acting quickly, she grabbed a dry towel and motioned for Theodore to sit down, gently drying his hair.

Theodore sat there quietly, his arms encircling Ariana's waist, a playful pinch accentuating his words as he whispered, “Seems like you've gained a few pounds. It's not just my imagination, is it?”

Though Theodore thought he spoke discreetly, Ariana caught every word, her eyes rolling playfully as she ruffled his hair with playful exasperation.

Unaware of her response, Theodore's fingers danced along her waist, seeking more than just a casual touch.