Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 258

The meaning was obviously completely different.

Stephanie’s brow furrowed, and she wanted to confront Quennel.

But just as she was about to stand up, Cecilia grabbed her arm.

“Girl, don’t be impulsive! If you go up there, your picture will be all over the internet by tomorrow!”

“Then wherever you go, people will point and whisper. In situations like this, women are always the ones who get unfairly shamed. People only believe what they want to believe. Even if you had a hundred mouths, you wouldn’t be able to explain yourself.”

Stephanie pressed her lips together.

She hadn't been thinking that far ahead; her first instinct was to worry that Jonathan would misunderstand.

But calming down, she realized Cecilia was right. She had a career and couldn't afford to have her face and reputation dragged through the mud.

After the recording played, the venue was silent for a moment before erupting into loud discussion.

Quennel lifted his chin slightly and looked at Jonathan. “Well?”

From start to finish, Jonathan hadn't moved. A contemptuous smile played on his lips. “Mr. Gonzalez, with a recording that could have been spliced together from anywhere, what are you trying to prove?”

“That you’re a homewrecker, desperately trying to ruin someone else’s marriage?”

“Or that my wife was truly cursed to have an ex like you?”

“It’s nothing more than a rotten piece of the past. Anyone who had to deal with an ex like you would be lucky to escape with their skin intact.”

Quennel was stunned.

Jonathan’s reaction was completely different from what he had expected.

There wasn't a trace of the furious, cornered anger he'd anticipated. Instead, Jonathan was standing on the moral high ground, judging him.

But it was Jonathan who had stolen his love. By what right did he judge him?

Jonathan’s voice was calm, but every word he spoke was sharp and clear. “My wife and I have a wonderful relationship. We love each other very much, but there’s always someone trying to create baseless misunderstandings to tear us apart.”

“My wife is a rather innocent person. I doubt she could have ever guessed that even after getting married, her ex would resort to backstabbing.”

“It seems she’s just too charming, to have a jilted ex so obsessed that he’s willing to throw away his own reputation and become a homewrecker.”

“But I have faith in our relationship, and I trust her unconditionally. Mr. Gonzalez, your audio editing skills are a bit lacking. Would you like me to recommend a professional team? They could make it sound much more convincing.”

The live chat went absolutely insane.

[AHHHH! Does anyone understand the sheer power of this moment! A total knockout! This will go down in history! It’s a textbook-level counterattack!]

[‘You keep harassing my wife, so I’m going to walk away with her right in front of you.’ Aren’t you mad? You mad, bro? Quennel must be absolutely fuming!]

[The moment he played that recording, I actually believed him. I never expected this couple to be so unshakeable! Incredible! This is a true showdown!]

[I still think the recording is real. They’re just putting on a show for the cameras. Such actors!]

A few voices of doubt were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming wave of excitement.

The moment Quennel saw Stephanie sitting in the audience, his expression had visibly frozen.

He felt the acute embarrassment of being exposed.

When did she get here?

Had she been watching him this whole time?