Chapter 10: Orchestrating the Cyberbullying
Half an hour later, ink-stained and furious, Sonya walked onto the VIP floor, ignoring the stares of doctors and nurses. She marched straight to Seraphina’s room.
Seraphina was sitting in bed, scrolling through her phone, laughing at something on the screen.
Sonya strode in. Seraphina looked up, her smile faltering as she saw Sonya’s appearance.
“Sonya, what—”
Without a word, Sonya hurled the bottle of ink.
Julian, sitting beside the bed, rushed over, trying to shield Seraphina, but the black liquid splattered across his white shirt.
“Oh!” Seraphina gasped.
Julian turned, his face burning with fury. “What’s wrong with you? You—”
He stopped, seeing the ink splashed across Sonya. “What happened to you?” he asked, concern flickering briefly in his eyes.
Sonya’s chest tightened, her nose burned, and tears welled up in her eyes. Usually even-tempered, she rarely got this angry. But today, she was beyond control.
“Security! Security!” The voice came from Seraphina’s phone. She had been watching the video of Sonya being attacked by her fan.
Julian saw the video too. His frown deepened. “Some fans are irrational, but Seraphina didn’t make them do this. Be reasonable!”
Reasonable?
Now she was supposed to be reasonable?
“That video was edited and clearly biased!” Sonya shouted, her voice rising. “Don’t tell me her team didn’t orchestrate this. And what about those rumors, about me seducing you? Why didn’t she deny them? One of her fans attacks me, and she’s blameless?”
Julian’s face hardened. “I told you, you’re not a celebrity. So what if you’re being attacked online? It won’t affect you!”
Sonya’s anger flared. “Why should I take the blame for her?”
“Because I say so!”
“Julian Jennings!” Sonya’s voice broke, her breath catching. “My biggest mistake was ever getting involved with you!”
At her words, Julian’s expression froze. Stunned, he kicked a nearby chair in frustration.
“Mistake? Hah, yes, a huge one,” he muttered.
Sonya blinked away the tears, only one slipping down her cheek, fueled entirely by anger. She took a deep breath before turning to Seraphina.
“I expect a clarification as soon as possible. If not, I’ll handle it myself. I’ll reveal the truth, and if it stirs up a scandal, it won’t be my problem.”
Seraphina, still wide-eyed from the outburst, called after Sonya. “Wait! I’ll apologize for my fans—let’s just forget this, okay?”
Sonya shot her a cold look. “You think that’s enough?” she sneered. “I’m not your slave, and it’s not that easy to appease me.”
Sonya walked out, but Julian followed.
“Are you saying I’m Seraphina’s ally now?” Julian asked, his tone sharp.
“Yes,” Sonya replied without hesitation.
Sonya stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. “Do you know what you are?”
Julian sneered. “What?”
“Seraphina’s fiancé,” Sonya said, her voice calm and steady.
Julian froze, expecting insults—slave, jerk, whatever else she might throw at him in her anger. But instead, she just stated the truth.
He was no longer hers. He belonged to Seraphina.
“So?” Julian muttered, his tone indifferent.
“So.” Sonya took another step back, clearly marking the distance between them. “Don’t order me around. Let’s maintain a polite distance.”
She continued to step away, the space between them growing as her words settled between them like a final barrier.
Julian’s gaze was cold, watching her retreat, his expression unreadable.
That afternoon, Seraphina posted a statement.
“Regarding what happened today, I apologize to Doctor Ella on behalf of my fans. I understand their feelings, but please don’t take matters into your own hands. I’ll handle this myself. To Doctor Ella, I’m really sorry. I hope you won’t be mad. I don’t want to discuss the past. My fiancé and I are doing well. That’s what matters. Wait for our wedding announcements. Love you all.”
Ashley read the post and cursed. “What kind of clarification is this? She portrays herself as a victim. She seems sincere, but it’s all about her suffering, her generosity, and her perfect relationship with her fiancé. You’re still the homewrecker!”
Ashley was furious, her desire to stomp on Seraphina’s face almost palpable.
“Hey, look. She posted another photo,” Ashley said, showing Sonya the image.
Seraphina sat cross-legged in bed, an IV still attached to her arm. She wore a weary smile, cupping her face in her hands as light from the window created a halo around her.
That wasn’t the issue. The real issue was the ink stains on her clothes and bedsheets. The comments below were already exploding:
“Sonya Ella, you deserved the ink. If I were that fan, I’d throw shit at you. You’re disgusting!”
“She tried to seduce Seraphina’s fiancé, then extorted money. She’s shameless!”
“Seraphina is beautiful and kind, but this greedy woman got back at her. We won’t tolerate this!”
“Karma’s a bitch. Be careful walking at night!”
Sonya remained calm, though Ashley was boiling with anger.
“This is infuriating! This is outrageous!” Ashley raged.
Sonya simply looked at the so-called clarification, the photo, and the comments. She’d anticipated this. Seraphina wouldn’t easily clear her name, not now, not ever.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Henry.
“Someone insulted me today. I insulted him back twice. He wasn’t satisfied, so I beat him up. He thought he owned the place and could do whatever he wanted. If my fists are strong enough, I can subdue anyone.”
Sonya frowned, confused by his cryptic message.
But as she reread it, it felt like he was subtly encouraging her.
“Did you really fight someone?” she texted back.
“Just expressing my thoughts. Usually, no one dares to fight me. I’ve been to jail.”
“What?!”
“I got out, and no one dared to bully me anymore.”
Ashley finished her work and saw Sonya still staring at her phone.
“Forget it,” Ashley said, shaking her head. “Seraphina has a whole team behind her. You can’t win.”
Sonya shook her head, determined. She opened her photo album, selected a picture, and posted it online.
