After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 43

Louisa remained silent for a moment, then shook her head.

"Maybe I would have at the beginning. But now, after tonight, there are only eight days left. I just want to get through these eight days and never see him again. I don't want any more drama."

Flora realized then that Louisa had been counting down the days this entire month.

"But I don't think he'll let go easily," she said, turning to face her friend. "If he refuses to divorce you no matter what, will you soften?"

"Soften?" Louisa laughed, her smile holding absolute resolve. "I paid with half my life for this wake-up call. If I look back even once, I deserve to die."

Flora said nothing more, just looked at her. Somehow, Julian's face suddenly flashed in her mind.

Louisa noticed her strange look. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just thought of Mr. Tudor. If he knew about your situation, he'd be heartbroken."

Louisa was startled. "What are you talking about? There's nothing between Mr. Tudor and me."

"That's what you think," Flora snorted. She'd grown up with Julian and understood him well. He treated all women the same—except when he looked at Louisa. His eyes held warmth then.

Thinking of this, she grabbed her phone. "How could I forget? We can't handle the Price and Capulet families together, but Mr. Tudor can! I'll tell him right now."

She actually started typing a message.

Louisa jumped out of bed to stop her. "Don't you dare!"

"Why not?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Just don't tell him."

She and Julian were just boss and employee. She didn't want him knowing her personal drama.

Seeing Louisa's panic, Flora backed down. "Fine, fine, I won't tell him. Why are you so worked up?"

Relieved, Louisa returned to her bed. Soon, both were asleep.

Neither knew that overnight, the world outside had turned upside down.

---

Louisa woke to Flora's excited shriek.

"What's wrong?" Louisa asked, confused.

"Check your phone! Look what I sent you!" Flora was practically bouncing.

Louisa expected something important, but it was just a picture of Vivian. Her swollen face was captured mid-shout, screaming "I'm not a mistress!"

The text kept flashing, and combined with her puffy face and desperate denial, it looked ridiculous. Overnight, the image had gone viral.

"Who's the hero behind this? I need to buy them dinner!" Flora exclaimed.

Louisa was puzzled too. "Yeah, how did this picture blow up so fast?"

"Could it be Mr. Tudor?" Flora suggested.

"No way. Would he do something this childish?"

"I don't think so either."

While they were wondering, Sadie called, "Did you see what's happening on Twitter?"

Louisa and Flora exchanged glances, then both opened Twitter on their phones.

The first thing they saw was a trending headline: #I'm Not A Mistress!

It was about Vivian's hospital drama from two nights ago. The video was edited to show just one scene: Vivian with her swollen face frantically yelling "I'm not a mistress!"

The clip was barely fifteen seconds long, but several well-known internet influencers had shared it, sending it viral.

Internet sleuths had already dug up Vivian's identity as the unmarried daughter of the Price family. Paired with her desperate denials about being a mistress, the comments were brutal: [You're single, so if you're not a mistress, are you claiming to be the wife?]

Vivian's hired PR team fought back: [Does one need to be married to be cheated on? Being the third wheel in someone's relationship makes you a mistress too!]

This only fueled more investigation. Users uncovered George's identity as the Capulet family's sole heir and current head of the Capulet Group. 

Apparently, he and Vivian had been dating for three months, with plenty of evidence of their relationship.

So who was Louisa?

The internet dug deeper, and things got even more interesting. Louisa and George had been together since high school, ten years ago. They'd never broken up in all those years.

The conclusion was inevitable: ten years ago, Vivian was just a fifteen-year-old girl dating various boys—she didn't even know George then.

The verdict was clear: who was really the third wheel in this relationship? No need to spell it out.

Public opinion flipped overnight. Not only was the truth revealed, but Vivian was mocked for being a rich girl who shamelessly went after someone else's boyfriend. 

The consensus was clear: if you love someone taken, that's one thing, but confronting the original girlfriend? You deserved that slap.

People have little tolerance for homewreckers, and the majority of voices drowned out the few with questionable morals. The Price family was dragged through the mud too. 

Surprisingly, there was little discussion about Louisa and George themselves.

Louisa didn't join the online frenzy. Instead, she checked when the videos were first posted. The original was uploaded anonymously at 10 PM last night. The influencer shares were spread out—1 AM, 3 AM, and 6 AM.

Louisa wondered who was secretly helping her.

Flora leaned on her bed with a knowing smile.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Louisa asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Who else would go to such lengths to hire influencers, direct public opinion so precisely, not fear retaliation from the Price and Capulet families, and keep you completely out of it? It has to be Mr. Tudor! He's into you."

"There you go again," Louisa sighed. "What does this have to do with Mr. Tudor? Stop dragging him into everything."

She couldn't believe it. She'd barely met Julian a few times, and each time she was a mess. How could he possibly be interested in her?

"If not him, then who could it be?" Flora pressed.

Louisa shook her head. She couldn't figure it out either.

"Well, whoever it is, they saved you. I wonder what the Capulet and Price families are dealing with now. I'd love to see that drama."

"Who cares about them?" Louisa replied. "I'm just worried about my dad. If he finds out about all this, he'll be concerned."

"What did you say? Your dad?" Flora jumped up from the bed, staring at Louisa in shock. "You have a dad?"