Julian gave Elena a once-over and said in a voice dripping with mockery, "You shouldn''t have be someone''s mistress in the first ce. You''re just getting what you deserve."


    Elena stared at him in shock. "Julian, how can you say that to me?"


    He scoffed with disdain. "You did it, but you can''t handle being called out for it? I can''t believe I was ever fooled by you. I actually gave up Serena for someone like you. God, what a mistake."


    With that, he mmed the door shut.


    At that moment, whatever fantasies Elena had left shatteredpletely.


    She wiped the tears from her face and lingered outside for a long time before finally pulling out her phone and dialing Wayne''s number.


    Both of them had been caught in the scandal, but the way the media reported it made it seem like Elena was the only target. She had be a public disgrace while Wayne remained unscathed.


    "Hello? Who is this?" Wayne''s impatient voice came through the receiver, mixed with the background chatter of womenughing.


    "It''s me, Elena," she said, clinging to the phone as if it were a lifeline. "Your wife set me up! Everyone knows now. I can''t go on like this. Please help me."


    "Hold up," Wayne interrupted and frowned. "My wife didn''t call the reporters. She was tipped off that you climbed into my bed, which was why she stormed into the hotel. She just wanted to teach you a lesson. We had no idea things would blow up like this."


    He added with annoyance in his voice, "Did you piss off someone? I''m getting dragged into this mess too. If this isn''t handled properly, Hastings Group might fire me."


    "What did you just say?" Elena''s eyes widened. "Wasn''t it your wife''s doing?"


    "Come on, I know my own wife," Wayne replied impatiently. "And another thing- nothing happened that night. I was passed out drunk. How the hell did you end up in my bed?"


    Elena felt a chill crawl up her spine.


    She knew this had to be Lucas'' doing. But now, she was scared. She knew she was no match for him.


    And for the first time, she truly regretted it-she never should have made Serena her enemy.


    "But there''s only one way to fix this," she said urgently. "I need to leave Grandview for good. Scandals trend online every day. If I disappear, this will fade eventually."


    Wayne rubbed his chin, considering her words. After a long silence, he finally


    nodded. "You''re right. The only thing to do now is let it die down."


    "Then help me, Mr. Simpson," she seized the opportunity and pleaded.


    "And what exactly do you want me to do?" he asked slowly.


    "Give me one million dors, and I''ll leave Grandview forever. I''ll move to Travia and never show up here again No one will remember this scandal, and your reputation will


    Sta


    intact."


    "What?" Wayne exploded. "One million dors? Elena, you''ve got some nerve! You climbed into my bed willingly, and now, you''re trying to ckmail me?"


    "No, no, of course not!" Elena waved her hands frantically. "Mr. Simpson, I''m just trying to solve this problem for you. And you''re the only one who can help me."


    "Not happening," he snapped, his tone turning ice-cold. "I''m not helping you."


    With that, he hung up.


    Elena stared at her phone as she listened to the empty dial tone. Despair swallowed her whole.


    "Elena? Are you Elena Harper?"


    A voice suddenly spoke behind her.


    Her head whipped around in disbelief.