Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 163: Universally Despised

Chapter 163: Universally Despised

Eric had never scolded any of the actresses who tried to use him for their own gain, but the rumors never lasted more than a single cycle. There were no second chances and no further interactions.

For someone as wealthy as Eric to maintain such a spotless reputation was almost unheard of.

Michael, ever the gossip, smirked at Mark and asked, "Do you think... our boss was a virgin before he met Miss Davis?"

Mark’s face flushed with embarrassment. "Damn it, how can you just ask something so sensitive out in the open? If the boss hears you, you’re getting fired!"

"It’s just a small question, not that big of a deal!" Michael rolled his eyes.

The other assistants nodded in agreement. "Michael’s right, it’s a small thing! Hell, I’ve already been with several women, and if the boss was still a virgin, that’s pretty rare!"

"Haha, whoever marries our boss is going to be the luckiest woman in the world!"

The gossiping assistants were having a blast until Ella and Eric suddenly appeared, causing them to instantly fall silent.

"What are you guys discussing? Seems pretty lively," Eric asked, raising an eyebrow and casting a suspicious look over his subordinates.

Mark shrank back, while Michael trembled slightly. "Nothing, nothing! We were just talking about a movie!"

Eric chuckled softly. "Alright, have the staff clean up. We’re heading back. Mark, Michael, if you’re so idle, I’ve got a top-secret mission for you to investigate!"

"Boss! We wouldn’t dare..." The group immediately lowered their heads, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Talking behind the boss’s back wasn’t something they’d dare do lightly; the consequences could be dire...

As the gentle night breeze blew, Ella and Eric walked close together, under the sparkling stars, with fireflies drifting all around—it was a beautiful sight.

The next morning, Brianna noticed that the servant hadn’t come to work, and to her dismay, the refrigerator was empty, except for a few eggs that could barely suffice for breakfast.

Brianna recalled how she had thrown a bowl at the servant the night before, drawing blood from the poor woman’s head. The servant hadn’t stayed to demand compensation for medical bills but had instead fled.

She suspected that the servant, likely savvy with the internet, had seen the posts accusing Brianna of poisoning Robert’s first wife and was too frightened to return.

What now? With no food for lunch, someone would have to go out and buy it.

"Mom, let me go out and get the groceries. You should stay here," Hannah suggested softly.

But Brianna stood up abruptly. "Why should I stay home? They have no evidence linking me to any crime. Just based on a servant’s word, they believe it?"

Hannah sighed, "Mom, haven’t you heard that rumors get more exaggerated and believable the more they’re spread? At first, people didn’t believe it, but after seeing the video of you hitting Emily and smashing a bottle over Dad’s head, they were convinced."

"No, I’m going out, whether they like it or not!" Brianna insisted coldly.

After trying to persuade her mother to no avail, Hannah had no choice but to give in, and the two of them headed out together to the nearest supermarket.

As they passed the security booth, the guard’s face turned pale at the sight of Brianna, and he gripped his stun baton tightly.

Brianna’s expression darkened. Why was the guard so scared of her?

Throughout the walk, anyone who recognized her avoided her like the plague, keeping as much distance as possible.

With the recent news of mentally disturbed individuals attacking people in the streets, no one wanted to take any chances with Brianna’s mental state.

Once they arrived at the supermarket, fewer people recognized Brianna. After all, not everyone had the time to constantly browse the internet, forums, or Twitter.

Despite the fewer familiar faces in the supermarket, many strangers who spotted Brianna instinctively moved to the other side of the aisle to avoid any contact with her. Hannah’s expression grew increasingly uncomfortable, while Brianna’s face darkened with anger.

As they made their way to the vegetable section, they noticed Mrs. Lee, a woman from their neighborhood who Brianna had always gotten along with, picking out greens with her shopping bag in hand.

Mrs. Lee was a round-faced, kind-looking woman, someone Brianna had always enjoyed chatting with in the neighborhood.

"Mrs. Lee, what a coincidence! You’re out shopping too?" Brianna greeted her with a smile, trying to maintain some sense of normalcy.

But Mrs. Lee was startled, jumping back a step before she recognized Brianna. Her eyes widened in fear, and she quickly retreated two steps. "Yes, yes, what a coincidence! I’ve just finished shopping. You take your time!"

Before Brianna could say another word, Mrs. Lee hurriedly turned and walked away, almost running as she left the vegetable section. Once she was a safe distance away and noticed that Brianna wasn’t following her, she breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close... that vile woman... I didn’t even get to buy my favorite greens. What bad luck! I’d better avoid coming out so often, just in case I run into this murderer again... who knows if she’ll snap and stab someone!"

With these thoughts in mind, Mrs. Lee decided to skip buying meat and left the supermarket straight away.

Brianna stood frozen, watching Mrs. Lee flee as if she were some kind of monster, a demon everyone feared.

Hannah quietly picked up a few bunches of greens, added several potatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables to their cart, making sure they had enough to last a few days so they wouldn’t have to come out every day.

She hadn’t wanted to come out with Brianna, knowing that anyone who had seen the posts would treat them like they were contagious, like they were something to be avoided at all costs.

This unsettling experience left a bitter taste in Hannah’s mouth.

"So much for being a good friend! The moment you’re in trouble, everyone treats you like the plague! Hmph!" Brianna grumbled, her face clouded with anger, her eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity.

Hannah silently filled the shopping cart and pushed it towards the checkout.

When they reached the cashier, the young woman at the register visibly flinched at the sight of Brianna. But with security nearby, she forced herself to proceed with the transaction.

Back at home, Brianna felt an overwhelming rage boiling inside her. On the way back, not a single familiar face had greeted her—they all kept their distance, as if she were some kind of pariah.

In a fit of frustration, Brianna threw the shopping bags onto the floor, glaring at Hannah. "What about you? Are you going to ignore your mother now too?"

Hannah looked at her with a resigned expression. "Mom, I’m not ignoring you. It’s just... with everything being said about you online, who would dare get close to you? People think you’re a lunatic, and they’re afraid you might suddenly... hurt someone."

Brianna’s mind flashed to the online comments she’d seen, all of them vicious, calling her a madwoman, a whore, with some even demanding she be executed to satisfy their anger...

The thought of Robert’s betrayal, of him posting those videos online and making people believe she had poisoned Isabella, only fueled her fury.

"Robert... it’s all because of that bastard! If it weren’t for him... how could people doubt me so easily?" Brianna’s voice trembled with despair as she thought of her husband of over a decade, who had shown her such ruthless betrayal. She felt like dying.

Hannah quietly picked up the scattered groceries from the floor and gently tried to console her. "Mom, please, stop losing your temper. What you need most right now is to stay calm. Think about how we can deal with that wretched Ella... and maybe, just maybe, we can make Dad realize his mistake and bring him back to you."

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