DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 72
Caught in a heavy downpour with overwhelming mental stress, Jocelyn could hardly avoid catching a cold.
Her fever spiked to 40 degrees in the middle of the night.
Melvin immediately rushed her to the hospital. After two IV drips, her fever finally broke.
Dawn was breaking by this time.
Different from last night's downpour, it was a sunny day this morning.
Melvin's phone buzzed insistently. He glanced at the woman in the bed before walking to the window to take the call.
"Is it done?"
"Yeah, everything's been pulled down. Also found the person who leaked the photos."
"Who?"
"Willow." Zephyr replied, "What do you plan to do?"
Melvin's eyes darkened, his voice cold as ice, "She's been too high-strung lately, time for her to take a break."
After hanging up, Melvin turned to see the woman had woken.
He walked over, felt her forehead. The temperature hadn't risen again.
Just for one night, Jocelyn was bleary-eyed and deflated.
"Got any explanations?" Melvin pulled up a chair next to the bed, propped up his leg, ready to grill her.
Jocelyn turned her face away, swallowing hard, "No."
Her voice was raspy and far from pleasant, which clearly annoyed Melvin.
He let out a cold chuckle, "This is how you plan to handle things?"
Jocelyn faced forward again, clammed up.
She didn't know what to say. Things had spiraled this far; even a mouth full of excuses couldn't stand up to the cyberviolence. She was bound to lose this battle of words. Seeing her lackluster face, Melvin's frown could've squashed a fly.
"Don't act like you're at death's door. Why bother with things you haven't done? You could've ignored all the nonsense and just walk your way." Melvin barked at her, kicking the bed unceremoniously, "Turn around, look at me."
Jocelyn refused to meet his gaze.
Melvin didn't push, and said in a cool voice, "Getting your life messed up over a guy you've known for a few days? Have I ever embarrassed you like this in all the years we've been together? Don't think a guy's good to you just because he's willing to be seen public with you. If he doesn't bring you any trouble, that's when he truly cares." Melvin glanced at her, but she didn't even bat an eyelid.
Jocelyn had to admit, he hadn't put her in a tight spot over the years, but she wasn't naive. Without someone pulling strings behind the scenes, this would never be possible.
Once she cooled down, it clicked. It could be an accidental snap capturing them at the hotel exit, but what about that other time with Melvin? Waiting to release it now meant someone had been biding their time, ready to trash her rep.
It was a long game. She even had a hunch who was stirring the pot.
It's possible for anyone to snap the hotel dining photo, but that shot with Melvin in the frame? It wouldn't be easy.
The guy even took the photo from a particular angle that didn't show Melvin's face. Thinking of the people who were possibly there, it was not hard to guess her identity.
"So, thanks for the years of secret love affairs. After all, it sounds like you were protecting me," she finally said, her voice weak but cutting.
Melvin didn't seem to agree with her words, "Now that it's out in the public, it might not blow up like this. But it would undeniably cause trouble."
"Ha," Jocelyn scoffed, giving him a side-eye, "Do you even know who's behind this mess?"
Melvin's casually resting fingers twitched, "Told you not to take those street interviews. Don't you think you brought this on yourself?"
Jocelyn took a deep breath, fearing she'd lose it and throw the IV bottle at him.
She turned her back to him, "Thanks for bringing me here. You can leave now."
"Don't get snippy with me." Melvin showed a rare patience, "Think about who was with you last night, who took care of you. Don't be so ungrateful."
Jocelyn clenched her teeth, the fight draining out of her.
Melvin stood up, straightened his clothes, "You're smart. Use your head. Don't always be looking for the next best thing, discontent with what you have. You can't have your cake and eat it too." With that, he left.
Jocelyn took a deep breath, fighting back tears.
She knew Melvin was too smart not to know who was behind this matter. But he still chose to pin it on her.
After all, his protection for Willow was his way of penalizing her for getting close to Harrison.
She had no connections, no clout, no way to overthrow the traps set for her.
Willow was entrenched in the entertainment world, weaponizing public opinion to kick her down was all too easy.
Jocelyn dreaded turning her phone back on, unable to face the vitriol on social media.
She even feared the school might suspect her conduct because of this mess. A demerit was one thing, but what if some parents demanded her firing?
It wasn't out of the question.
Jocelyn could calm herself down, but how could she to handle all this?
She'd never been through anything like this.
And just this once could push her into the abyss.
No wonder they said the common folk can't fight the capitalists. They're just trying to make a living while the rich scheme for a better life.
In this affair, she was the commoner, Willow the capitalist.
Jocelyn lay restless on the bed for four hours until a nurse brought her porridge at noon. She mustered the courage to power up her phone.
The moment it turned on, messages flooded in - from her parents, Harrison, colleagues, even her leader at school had called.
Facebook's notifications also maxed out.
She reassured her parents with a call, then braced herself and dove into Facebook.
A notice had been posted in the school staff group.
Jocelyn clicked, heart in her throat.
About Jocelyn: Jocelyn's work in teaching is undoubtedly recognized by the school. We have done a thorough research on the students' feedback. Their parents are very satisfied with Jocelyn's work and there is no problem with her personalities as suggested on social media. On the contrary, the students respect and love Jocelyn deeply. Parents reported that after Jocelyn took over the class, the students' grades have improved and they are excelling in all areas. The school will take legal action against those who spread rumour about Jocelyn, for this is not only affecting Jocelyn's personal reputation, but also discrediting the school.
Following the post, all her colleagues were lining up to give her a unanimous "thumbs up."
Jocelyn's eyes welled up with tears that she just couldn't hold back.
Then out of the blue, Ursula's call came through, and Jocelyn sniffled and picked it up.
"Oh my goodness, you finally turned your phone on. You had us worried sick," Ursula's over the moon, "Did you check the group chat? We're all rooting for you. And hey, those keyboard warriors hit up our school forum demanding you get the boot, saying if you don't, no one would dare send their kids to our school.
But the tables have turned. Someone rounded up all the students and parents you've ever taught and they banded together to clear your name. What's more, some of the students' parents are lawyers! They sent those trolls a legal warning. Those loudmouths backed down so fast; it was like instant karma."
Jocelyn's tears kept streaming as she saw the screenshots Ursula sent her, including one with a "Jocelyn is a good teacher" banner surrounded by a sea of signatures.
"The pics online got deleted, and even those clickbait accounts issued an apology. They didn't spell it out, but it's pretty clear someone was out to tarnish your rep. Anyway, thankfully it's over."
Ursula let out a sigh, "Don't sweat it anymore. A cyberstorm like this just toughens you up. Isn't it exciting to see those haters eat their own fruit? You should've thought, 'Try as you might, you can't bring me down, and I'll just keep shining bright."
"
That got a laugh out of Jocelyn.
"Are you crying?" Ursula asked cautiously, "Knock it off, every storm leads to a rainbow. Time to hold your head high."
Jocelyn wiped away her tears, "Yeah, I'm good, thanks."
"Your voice sounds rough, though?" Ursula suddenly asked her, "And what about your guy? You know, your man? What's he think about all this?"
What did he think? He's just been watching it all like it was some kinda show.