Chapter 175

Verena's voice came through with a casual ease, as if the conversation were no more important than idle talk about the weather.

Across the phone, shock lit up Bobby's features.

A wave of admiration swept over him; he was half-tempted to drop to his knees right there. "Verena,can you believe it? Dozens of experts tried and failed to help Maxton. Some even claimed he wouldn't see the end of the year. But you turned things around; you actually healed him! Honestly,you're a miracle worker!"

He rattled on with so much energy that Verena barely had a chance to respond.

"Hold on,I need to hang up now. I have to go brag to everyone about how my sister-in-law is the best in the world!"

Bobby didn't wait for her answer; he ended the call with a flourish.

Verena couldn't help but laugh at the abrupt dial tone.She had planned to remind him not to get too involved, but honestly, having a brother-in-law so eager to sing her praises felt surprisingly nice.He was certainly a step up from her own brother.

···

Wasting no time after the call, Bobby jumped into the wealthy young people's group chat to set the record straight.

His fingers flew across the keyboard. "All of you were wondering why Verena would bother with a man almost twice her age? Here's the real story:she went abroad to treat MMaxton Fairclough. That's right, the same Maxton who runs Smoothdeed Group. Pretty wild, huh? You're all well aware of Maxton's position,and the fact that plenty of schemers have their eyes on him. To keep these schemers from stirring up trouble or interfering with his recovery, Verena assumed this identity as a shield for her own protection."

He quickly sent another message. "So all those rumors? Pure nonsense! And here's the big news: she's managed to cure Maxton. Give it a few days, and he'll wake up to clear her name himself. Maybe think twice before you start gossiping; you're only setting yourselves up for embarrassment."

The chat immediately lit up after Bobby's bombshell.

"Are you serious, Bobby?" "Verena managed to cure Maxton? That just doesn't sound believable..."

"He'd been out cold for over six months, and even the best doctors couldn't crack his case. How could she pull off a cure after just a few days abroad?"

Many in the group had always been quick to doubt Verena, but there were also quite a few who trusted her skills.

"Isn't that going too far? Have you forgotten she's the one who saved Barrie?"

"Exactly! Barrie saw specialist after specialist, and not a single one could help, except for Verena."

"If she handled Barrie's complicated illness,maybe Verena isn't getting enough credit here."

Voices of support chimed in. "Bobby's not one to exaggerate. Maybe Verena really did go overseas for Maxton's sake."

A few, unfamiliar with Maxton's name, jumped online to dig up information. What they found left them speechless.

"Hold up, I just searched him. Over the past six months, every doctor who tried failed, and a few even lost their lives. Treating Maxton was no walk in the park."

"No wonder Verena needed to hide her identity."

As the group's conversation shifted, with more members admiring Verena's courage and skill, Bobby read along, a proud grin spreading across his face.

On the other side, Kaia observed as the conversation turned,with most of the group members marveling at Verena's medical abilities while the few doubters were swiftly silenced.

"How did things turn around so quickly?" Kaia mumbled under her breath.

Her brow furrowed as she quickly sent Bobby's update over to Katelyn.

She followed up and asked, "Katelyn, do you think there's any truth to what Bobby said?"

Reading the forwarded chat, Katelyn's expression twisted with skepticism and disdain. The idea that Verena could heal Maxton was laughable. Anyone could make bold claims, but how could Verena possibly prove it?

Months ago, Tobin had asked Katelyn to help Maxton,but after looking over his files, she'd immediately declined the case. She knew there was no way she could save Maxton. Katelyn had never managed to help Maxton, yet now Verena, just a Pine Hill grad with nothing noteworthy to her name, was out here claiming she'd performed a miracle? If anyone was unremarkable, it was Verena.How could she have the nerve to make such wild boasts?

Katelyn scoffed to herself, brushing it off as nothing more than Verena's desperate bid to save her reputation. What nonsense.

With a faint, dismissive snort, Katelyn tapped out a message for Kaia. "Don't worry about it. Verena's all talk and no substance. All she does is run her mouth.Didn't she say Maxton would be up and about in a few days? We'll see if she can actually pull it off."

Kaia gave it some thought, and her earlier anxiety faded away.

The more she remembered the group singing Verena's praises, the more irritated she felt. She texted Katelyn back. "You're right. We'll sit back and watch her embarrass herself."

···

Meanwhile,the wealthy elites' online discussion about Verena's supposed affair with Tobin had reached Isaac's ears. He sat in his office, cool gaze dropped to the floor,a sharp edge in his posture.

There was no mystery about where this rumor had come from; Katelyn's handiwork was obvious.

While he'd never cared how Katelyn treated him,dragging Verena into her games was crossing the line.

Isaac's eyes narrowed at the thought. Overseas,Katelyn's antics had always followed her from one scandal to another, though in front of him, she never broke her innocent facade. But thanks to Stevie's long stay abroad, Isaac had heard all the real stories.

He considered his options for a moment, and then picked up his phone and dialed.

Stevie's voice came through the line, easy and teasing."What's going on, man?"

Isaac got right to the point. "I need some dirt on someone."

Isaac didn't ask for help often, which only piqued Stevie's interest. "Who's the unlucky target?"

Lifting his gaze, lsaac replied, voice cool and steady,"Katelyn Fuller."

Stevie went quiet for a second, and then let out a knowing laugh. "So you've finally decided to deal with your stalker."

Stevie wasted no time. By the time Isaac wrapped up his next meeting, a hefty folder had already landed in his inbox, overflowing with video clips, photos, and all sorts of incriminating material.

Isaac arched an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing as he scrolled through the evidence.

He pressed a button. "Jacob."

Jacob appeared at the door,ready for orders. "How can I help, Mr. Bennett?"

Isaac's words were measured, his voice tinged with chill. "Check your email. Take what I just sent and get in touch with some of the more influential entertainment agencies. Make sure the story comes out hard and leaves no room for sympathy."

Jacob nodded, accepting the task without question."Yes,sir."

He slipped out as quietly as he'd entered.

Leaning backin his chair, Isaac folded his arms and let his gaze linger on the newly received fie. If Katelyn wanted to turn his wife's name into tabloid fodder, she was about to find out just how ruthless public backlash could feel.