"What''s trending?"


    Effie looked puzzled. She hadn''t seen anything trending online.


    She was never one for gossip anyway-unless someone called or texted her directly, she rarely bothered with online news. She knew most of it was just attention-seeking nonsense, people trying to stir up drama for clicks.


    So when Shirley brought up some hot topic, Effie was genuinely lost.


    She waspletely at sea.


    But then she remembered the strange looks her colleagues had given her earlier. Suddenly, it clicked.


    This trending topic-was it about her?


    Shirley saw the realization dawn in Effie''s eyes and rushed to exin, “Effie, someone posted photos of youtest night, iming you''re the other woman— saying you''re having an affair and breaking up someone''s rtionship. The inte''s going crazy over it."


    Effie had gotten a bit of attention online after the jewelrypetition a while back. The inte never forgets, so some people still remembered her name.


    Who would''ve thought that less than two monthster, she''d be trending again— this time used of being a homewrecker? Goes to show, you can never judge a book by its cover.


    Talent and character aren''t always rted, apparently.


    Now, everyone online was weighing in, unleashing a storm of condemnation on Effie.


    "This woman should be locked up-she has no right to be a designer. Bet her jewelry reeks of her shamelessness."


    "Exactly, women like her are despicable. Probably seduced her way to the top." "Yeah, and isn''t that guy the CEO of the jewelrypany?"


    "God, this is disgusting. Someone like her should be booted out of the industry- no shame at all."


    And on and on it went.


    Maybe someone was deliberately stirring the pot, maybe there were even paid trolls involved, because within minutes, tens of thousands of simrments flooded in like a tidal wave.


    Shirley scrolled through them, growing more anxious by the second. She pulled out her phone and handed it to Effie.


    Effie hesitated for a moment, then took the phone and nced through the posts.


    It was obvious these pictures had been carefully edited, the angles chosen for maximum effect.


    They were taken at the Fashion Gst night-on the balcony, when Mitchell hade looking for her and wouldn''t leave her alone.


    Effie had tried to push him away the whole time, but of course, the photos didn''t show that. Instead, they made it look like the two of them were locked in some intimate struggle.


    The lighting was dim out on the balcony, but clear enough to make out faces. Whoever took the pictures had even zoomed in on Effie, as if worried she wouldn''t be recognizable.


    No wonder thements below were a wall of insults-many of them downright obscene.


    Effie stared at the photos for a long moment, thenposed herself.


    It must have been someone at the eventst night who took them.


    Effie already had a prime suspect. Other than Suzan, she couldn''t think of anyone else.


    She''d seen Suzan as she left the balcony.


    How calcting.


    If she wanted to make up a decent story, there were better options. But using Effie of being the other woman? That was turning the truthpletely upside down.


    Who was really meddling in whose rtionship?


    If Suzan really did this, was she trying to destroy herself?


    Effie''s expression turned icy. Maybe she''d been too soft on them all along.


    Shirley noticed Effie''s face growing colder and asked nervously, "Effie, what should we do now?"


    Effie replied calmly, "Don''t worry. I''ll handle it. You go take care of your work." Shirley was shocked. "Effie, this is already trending everywhere. If we don''t respond soon, it''ll only get worse. Shouldn''t we at least release a statement?"