Chapter 368:

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The more Stella read the comments, the more she clenched her phone. Stella felt as if a massive weight compressed her chest, making it hard to breathe. Miley and Flossie watched her sunken expression with empathy.

Snatching the phone away, Miley urged, «Stella, stop reading those comments. They’re baseless accusations. We know you’re not the person they claim you are.»

Stella hadn’t anticipated being wrongfully accused in such a manner; bitterness swelled within her.

Miley placed her hands on Stella’s shoulders, guiding her back to the sofa. «If you want to set the record straight, Matthew can announce to all of Seamarsh that you’re his wife.»

«Exactly! These keyboard warriors have too much time on their hands,» Flossie chimed in from across the seat. «It’s none of their business who Matthew’s wife is. It’s not their place to pass judgment on you.»

Lost in thought, Stella didn’t know where to focus her gaze.

Recalling her recent conversation with Matthew, her heart sank once more.

Stella had always been acutely aware of her identity. While Clint did show her affection, she couldn’t escape the voice in her head that reminded her she was never a true Anderson.

She was an abandoned orphan.

This was also why she hesitated to deepen her relationship with Matthew, fearing that her orphan status would cause complications for the Clark family.

Exhaling deeply, Stella mustered a reassuring smile. «Okay, don’t worry. I’m heading to the hospital to visit Grandpa.»

«I’ll go with you,» Miley declared instantly, rising to her feet.

Now that people were digging into Stella’s background, it wouldn’t take long for them to discover that Clint was hospitalized.

She had to protect Stella from further emotional harm.

Stella didn’t reject her offer. Her thoughts were consumed by Clint’s well-being. The last thing she wanted was for him to see the scandalous rumors circulating online.

R3ad th3 l4t3st 0n g4ln0v3ls.c0m

While Stella freshened up, Miley discreetly pulled Flossie aside. «Quickly let Matthew know he needs to pull those articles from the web.»

Flossie nodded gravely, and they divided their tasks.

The two worked separately.

Once Stella had finished getting ready, Miley handed her a peaked cap and a mask as she emerged. «Put these on. There might be reporters camping outside the hospital, and we don’t want them recognizing you.»

Well-versed in the perils of internet-driven public scrutiny due to her time in the entertainment industry, Miley knew what she was talking about.

Stella complied, wanting to avoid any incidents that might worry Clint.

However, the moment they stepped out of Prosper Bay, Stella felt a sharp, uncomfortable sensation on her forehead. As she instinctively touched it, the slick residue of egg white and yolk dribbled down her face.

Someone had hurled a rotten egg at her.

Almost instantaneously, a crowd converged around them, shouting curses from all sides.

«Living this close to Matthew, and you claim you’re not his mistress?»

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