No Strings Attached

Chapter 227

"Isn't that Heidi? After sleeping around with so many guys, she's got the nerve to lecture us on true love. She should just drop dead!"

"No wonder Ian doesn't want anything to do with her. He probably thinks she's dirty. What man wants a woman who's been all over town?"

"We all fell for her innocent act, talking about sacrificing for love. It's more like she's been used up and can't have kids, that's probably it!"

The crowd went wild in an instant. Every sort of nasty comment was being thrown around.

Heidi was clueless, still up on stage, tearfully answering questions from reporters, talking about her loyal love.

Suddenly, her assistant rushed up to the stage and whispered in her ear, "Ms. Heidi, we've got a situation." She handed Heidi the photos.

The moment Heidi saw the pictures, her previously smiling eyes froze.

Why were these photos from three years ago surfacing here, and why were they so scandalous? Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Panic set in, and Heidi started to cry as she tried to explain. "This isn't real. Someone is trying to ruin me, to slander me. I didn't lie to anyone. Please, you have to believe me."

Someone in the audience shouted, "I'm a photo expert, and I can testify that these photos are the real deal. Not one is fake."

With these words, the audience's emotions surged even higher. Their once thought-of innocent girl was now labeled as promiscuous. The revelation came as a shock, and the fans couldn't handle it.

At that moment, staff members came to restore order and dropped another bombshell. Heidi's piano performances had all been faked.

The news sent shockwaves through the venue. Fans couldn't stay seated any longer and started hurling things toward the stage. Before long, Heidi's pristine evening gown was stained and ruined. No matter her efforts to explain, it all fell on deaf ears.

Still reveling in the dream of his daughter being adored, Paolo was stunned by this drastic turn of events. He quickly directed his bodyguard, "Get her out the back door, now!"

Someone rushed over, reporting, "Paolo, the back is swarmed with fans. There's no escaping that way. We have to push through here."

"What are you waiting for? Move!"

Paolo, risking everything, along with the bodyguards, escorted Heidi to the car. He had never been so embarrassed in all his years. One moment, he was on cloud nine, praised for having such an accomplished daughter. The next, everything had crumbled.

He had invited all his friends to this event. The humiliation was unbearable.

Sitting in the car, Heidi was sobbing. Her carefully crafted public image was in tatters. How could she ever get close to Ian now, let alone marry him?

Clinging to Paolo's arm, she begged through tears, "Daddy, those pictures are lies. It's all Clara's doing. She doesn't want Ian and me to be connected. You have to clear my name."

Her sobs were heart-wrenching, dissolving any doubt Paolo had left. He stroked her hair, comforting her, "I believe you. I will find out who's behind this, and if it's Clara, I won't let her off the hook."

With this promise, a flicker of triumph flashed in Heidi's tear-filled eyes. Even if her brother didn't like her, she still had her father. As long as her father stood by her as a powerful ally, she could use him.

She wanted her father to crush Clara, to break her heart completely, so even if the truth about her past came out, Clara's stubborn character meant she'd never return to the Campbell family. Heidi would remain the Campbell family's precious daughter.

The thought of Clara taking everything from her made the malice in Heidi's eyes intensify.

Clara sat quietly in the last row, watching as the audience descended into chaos. In those shimmering eyes, a glint of mystery flickered.