Chapter 336

My face flamed from embarrassment and anger as I watched a video from our trip to New Ripon play on Lucy’s TV screen.

Seeing what I thought were private moments with Victor on television for the world to see made me feel sick in my stomach.

The reporter’s voice cut to my soul. “This is Daisy Wilson, billionaire Alex Wilson’s daughter, with her fiancée, Victor Klein, walking into the most expensive restaurant in New Ripon. It must be nice that she's enjoying herself after destroying many lives at Frampton University.”

My head spun, and my chest felt tight. Why was he saying these things and invading my privacy? He made me seem like a terrible person.

Lucy put a hand on my arm. “Are you okay, dear? I don’t believe what he’s saying about you. This channel lies a great deal or spins things to make them seem worse. They should lose their broadcasting license.”

Lucy’s words were comforting, but many people would believe every word the man on the TV said. Many people thought anything they saw on TV or on the internet was real.

I didn’t want to see or hear any more of his lies, but I couldn’t turn away. He told his audience about Frampton University employees being fired because of me, which was true. But he made it sound like I did it intentionally and didn’t care.

He wrapped up the story with the worst of his claims.

“I received a tip this morning that Daisy Wilson ‘found’ a Frampton University secretary lying in a diner parking lot after a supposed hit-and-run accident.”

He smiled into the camera. “But I was told Daisy was trying to force confidential university information from this poor woman just before the accident took place.”

The way his smile widened told me he was going for the kill. “What I want to know is this: did Daisy Wilson, a spoiled rich girl, hit the Frampton U secretary with her car on purpose and then claim it was a hit-and-run driver? Is that why she suddenly dropped out of college?”

Too shocked and angry to cry, I got to my feet. “I’m sorry, Lucy, but I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“I understand, Daisy,” she said. “I’d be glad to drive you wherever you need to go.”

Her kindness made tears fill my eyes. I looked down and shook my head. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”

Lucy walked me to her front door. I said goodbye and hurried to my car. After I climbed inside, I blew my nose before starting the engine.

I badly needed to be with Victor, so I drove straight to The Association. He had to do something about the situation. The Alpha-owned press was destroying me.

The security guard who escorted me to Victor’s office sensed my mood and remained silent as we walked through the cavernous halls. As soon as we arrived at my destination, I rushed through Victor’s door without knocking.

He wasn’t surprised to see me.

“I heard all about it.” He pulled me into his arms. “Two council members told me about the news report.”

I began to cry. “We must do something. They are destroying my reputation. I can’t bear having anyone believe the awful things they are saying about me.”

Victor led me to his office sofa and held me for a few minutes before pulling his cell from his pocket.

“And I don’t understand why they are doing it,” I added as I sobbed in Victor’s arms. “Is it just because they don’t like the new laws?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. I’m calling Jayden,” he said. “To fight back, we need to know the source of the lies. Whoever hired Phil Harter to take those photos and videos is behind all this.”

Victor spoke to his favorite private investigator for a few minutes before giving me a thumbs-up.

“Jayden is close to knowing who hired Phil Harter,” Victor assured me. “He’s meeting someone with information tonight.”

I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” Knowing who was behind the lies about me wouldn’t fix the problem, but it was a start to clearing my name.

“I know it’s bad timing, but I must work late tonight,” Victor said. “I have important matters to deal with, or I would go home with you now.”

“How late will you be?” I asked. “Will you miss dinner?” I tried to hide my disappointment.

Between putting things back together after the faction tried to take over and the opposition to the new laws, his job was much more complicated than it used to be.

“It could be very late,” he replied. “I’ll eat something at my desk.”

“I understand,” I said and kissed him goodbye. “I’ll see you when you get home.”

But as I made my way to the front entrance, tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt empty and alone.

Was everything that happened my fault? I wanted to help people and make getting a good education more fair. But it was destroying my life and reputation.

When I arrived at the mansion, the expression on Benson’s face told me he heard about the news report.

“Mr. Klein phoned to tell me he wouldn’t be home for dinner,” he said. “Cook wants to know if there is anything special you would like her to serve.”

I shrugged. “Anything is fine. I’ll have a tray in my room.”

“I’ll inform the cook,” Benson said.

The day was turning dark and rainy, so I wandered around the mansion until I found myself at my library door.

I hadn’t been inside in months. Maybe I could find something to read that would take my mind off everything.

Pushing the heavy door open, I stepped inside and switched on the lights.

The sight of the comfortable leather couch made me smile. Everything was clean and exactly as I had left it. The shelves of books seemed to be waiting for me.

I walked around the room, slowly letting my hand trail over the spines as I searched for an intriguing title.

Pulling a historical drama from a shelf, I settled on the couch to read. The book was wonderful. I was lost in a woman’s struggle to survive two centuries before I was born.

Hours later, Benson arrived with my dinner tray.

“The cook insisted on preparing what she called comfort foods,” he said and put the tray on the coffee table. “If you need anything, please let me know, Miss.”

“I will.” I tried to smile. “Thank you, Benson.”

After Benson left the room, I uncovered the tray and saw a mound of spaghetti and meatballs, two slices of garlic bread, and a chocolate soufflé.

The sight and smell of the food raised my spirits, and I dug in.

When I finished eating, I took the book to my room and continued to read in a hot bath until I was sleepy.

But the bed was lonely and too big without Victor. I needed him to come home.

He wanted me to ignore the lies being told about me. Sure, my friends knew better, but everyone else might believe what they saw on TV and in the newspapers.

It would take more courage than I’ve ever needed to get through the coming days. I had to find a way to clear my name.

I must have fallen asleep. The next time I opened my eyes, it was morning, and Victor’s arm draped over my hip. I turned to look at his handsome face.

He was deeply asleep, so I slipped from the bed without waking him. I dressed in the bathroom and went downstairs.

Benson was setting the table in the morning room. I accepted a cup of coffee and grabbed the morning papers from the middle of the table.

There was nothing about me on the front pages, but a few more letters to the editor appeared on the center pages. Half of them were written by people coming to my defense!

Maybe the tide was turning.

I was almost finished with my eggs and toast when Victor walked into the room. He looked tired yet sexy in his suit and tie.

“What time did you get in last night?” I asked as Benson poured him a cup of coffee.

“A little after midnight,” Victor replied and sipped his coffee.

“I’m sorry I was asleep,” I said as my phone rang.

I saw it was Tony and answered the call.

“Daisy, can you come to my mother’s right away?” he pleaded. “Someone got into her home while she was sleeping last night and stole another artifact.”

“Tell her I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I said. Poor Lucy. There must be a way into her home other than the locked doors. But how?

After explaining the situation to Victor, I kissed him and hurried to my car.