It was a complete, multi-directional sniper attack.
The sheer viciousness of it felt designed to destroy Raelynn completely.
Raelynn didn't even have the bandwidth to think about the wedding. Her mind was racing, consumed by the comments regarding Lily.
People were already trying to dig up her daughter's personal information.
She was terrified that whoever was pulling the strings would expose Lily.
Her daughter was so young. If she was dragged into this fabricated, filthy scandal, how could she grow up normally?
The thought of Lily being publicly ridiculed and cursed at was unbearable.
Her stunning face was frozen in ice.
"I will not allow this to involve Lily. None of her information can be made public."
But exactly as the Vice Principal had said.
This was no longer just an internal campus issue.
It had bled out onto external networks, spreading rapidly across several of the country's largest social media and short-video platforms.
Even if they tried to handle it.
They couldn't ensure complete airtight containment.
Lily could very well be exposed to the public eye.
Dr. Moreno was equally terrified of this outcome.
He had been the picture of scholarly elegance his whole life, yet he cursed for the first time. "What kind of sick bastard does something like this? It ruins her without bringing them any benefit!"
"This is a targeted attack. There has to be a motive," Raelynn said, her eyes dark and calculating.
She was trying to figure out who stood to gain from destroying her reputation and ruining her future.
Just then.
Her phone rang.
Raelynn glanced at the screen.
It was Ian.
She stepped out of the office and answered it.
Ian's voice came through. "Did something happen? I just got word that you're in trouble at the university."
Ian turned to face her. "Find the person responsible and punish them severely."
Cordelia pressed her lips together. "I'm talking about the wedding. It's in two days. Are you really going to hold it while we're in the eye of this storm?"
"Yes." Ian looked up. "Everything proceeds as planned."
Cordelia was furious. "Have you lost your mind?! Raelynn can't even save herself right now, and the rumors are saying you intervened in her marriage with Sebastian. The Hudson family is already being laughed at behind our backs. If we still throw a massive wedding with hundreds of guests, it will basically confirm these 'rumors' as truth! It will solidify the narrative that you are the homewrecker, and our entire family will be a laughingstock!"
And it went deeper than that.
It wasn't just Ian's reputation. Raelynn was now being branded an escort, accused of sleeping her way through high society. People would think the Hudson family had zero standards, willing to marry a woman with such a repulsive reputation.
These were practical matters that had to be considered.
Blind courage couldn't just erase the negative impact.
Ian stared at her coldly. "Mom, you were the one who pressured Raelynn into agreeing to a grand wedding in the first place. And now you're having second thoughts?"
He knew perfectly well.
Raelynn hadn't wanted a wedding at all. It was Cordelia who had quietly pressured her, insisting on a massive, glamorous event.
Cordelia's face darkened. "Yes, but circumstances have changed! Do you not understand how bad this is? It's about our public image, and it's also about openly declaring war on the Croix family. If it hadn't blown up publicly, everyone could keep up appearances and pretend everything was fine. But now that it's out in the open, everyone's reputation is ruined. How can we possibly move forward?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...