Alex''s smile froze. He hesitated as if wanting to say something, but then he sighed. "I managed to suppress the previous news, but... another scandal came out this morning."


    My heart sank, and a sense of unease washed over me.


    He handed me his phone. "See for yourself."


    I took the phone and looked at the screen. It was a local news site, and the headline stood out in bold letters-"The True Colors of the Wealthy Socialite! Mrs. Ashford Senior ims Daughter-in-Law''s Infidelity Drove Her Son to His Death!" Below the article was an audio recording. My hands trembled as I pressed y.


    Grandma''s sharp, piercing voice filled the air. It wasced with sobs but still cut like a knife."My poor son! He treated her so well, gave her everything she wanted, and cherished her like a treasure! But what did she do in return?


    "Not even a few years into the marriage, she couldn''t keep herself in check. She kept flirting with other men behind his back! The Ashford family gave her nothing but kindness, yet she repaid us with disgrace! My son... He was driven to his grave because of her!"


    Then, Aunt Shirley chimed in, fueling the fire, "That''s right! My brother spoiled her and treated her like a queen! But she wasn''t satisfied, so she betrayed him and our whole family! When he found out about her affair, he couldn''t take the blow. That''s why..."


    In the recording, Grandma''s wails grew even more dramatic like a staged tragedy. But to me, it felt like a brutal p across the face. I felt the burn and the sting.


    This was aplete distortion of the truth! Grandma and Aunt Shirley had fabricated this story just to smear Mom''s name.


    I clenched the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. My whole body trembled with anger.


    Alex gently took my hand.


    "Serena, don''t worry. I''ll take care of this," he said, his voice steady and calm.


    I looked up into his deep, unwavering eyes, feeling a slight sense of reassurance. "Thank you, but... this really has nothing to do with you," I said, shaking my head.


    He smiled warmly. "You''re wee. There''s no need for such formality between us."


    I took a deep breath, trying to steady. myself. Alex, what should we do now?" I asked.


    SWI


    He thought momentarily before replying, "We need to find the version of this recording. At


    your mother was never unfaithful."


    least, we need evidence to


    I nodded. His approach was clear and logical.


    "But where would we even find the full version of the recording?" I asked.


    A sly smile yed on his lips. "I think I know just the ce."


    There was a glint of mischief in his eyes that piqued my curiosity.


    "Where?" I asked eagerly.


    He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "Take a guess....."


    A shiver ran down my spine, and I instinctively flinched away.


    Seeing my reaction, he chuckled.


    "Alright. I


    Son''t tease you anymore."


    bet


    Straightening up, he said, "Go check


    on


    r mother. At the very least...


    make sure she doesn''t see this."