Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2072

"I really didn't want to see the Macclains fall from grace like this, but they brought it upon themselves!" Sallie sighed. "By the way, did you see the president of that design association made a public apology to you? They reacted pretty quickly, didn't they?"

"I haven't!" Estelle was too preoccupied to check the online buzz.

"Twitter and several other platforms crashed; can't access them now!" Sallie said dismissively. "Those who were badmouthing you are now lashing out at Carmella. I'm over it, but your fans are solid. Even during the worst of the cyberbullying, they stood up for you. Now that your identity's out, they're not making a big fuss. Just quietly thrilled."

Feeling protected warmed Estelle's heart. "Thank you, thank you all!"

"No need for formalities. I always knew you'd come back and put those slanderers in their place. Today's even more satisfying than I imagined!"

"Mhm," Estelle replied softly. "Tell Hans and your mom not to worry. And the Macclains' mess won't drag them down."

Sallie chuckled softly, her voice dropping to a secretive whisper, "My dad was just mumbling to himself, wondering if the Lamonts would take down the Macclains in one fell swoop!"

"Tell him not to worry, he can sleep easy," Estelle said with a light smile.

"I bet he won't sleep a wink tonight!" Sallie laughed. "Alright, you must have a ton of things to handle, so I won't keep you. Make sure you get some rest too!"

"Will do!" Estelle answered, ending the call.

Back in the living room, Sophia and her boyfriend, Robin, had arrived.

Sophia, looking travel-weary yet excited, hugged Estelle, "I just got back from B City and missed your arrival. So annoying! I had to settle for watching the videos online where everyone was welcoming you back and putting those jerks in their place!"

Estelle put an arm around her shoulder. "You've had a long trip!"

"Not at all. We're no match for the Gilders, so we just show up to make some noise and bolster the ranks!" Sophia said with a playful smile. "Jason worked the hardest. When I arrived, he hadn't slept for two days straight."

"No harm done, there will be other chances. I'm not upset!" Sophia said in a low voice, her eyes twinkling.

Robin appreciated Sophia's understanding, squeezing her hand with a contented smile.

Looking at Jonathan, he shared, "The Crawleys approached me, probably because they knew Sophia was close to KING and that I'm her boyfriend. They were quite persuasive in an unpleasant way."

Quick to clarify, he added, "I told them off right then and there. I said whatever the Crawleys were planning as revenge, they could bring it on. I would never be part of slandering KING."

Thinking back, Robin still felt a chill. The Crawleys had tried to coerce him into anonymously posting that Sophia often leaked information claiming KING's work was the collective effort of a group, and that KING was merely a figurehead pushed by Snowy Studios. They insinuated there was something untoward between KING and her partners.

They promised him that if he posted the announcement, the Crawleys would fully back his company. They would purchase his company's new products and promote them aggressively.