She Turned Her Grief Into Wings novel Chapter 59

Shera drove like a maniac, arriving at the estate in record time. She found Caden standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, lost in thought.

When she stormed in unannounced, genuine surprise registered on his face.

She didn't waste a single word. She walked right up to him and shoved her phone, displaying the trending screenshot, directly into his face.

Caden straightened up and took the phone. As his eyes scanned the details of the post, his brow instantly locked into a fierce scowl. "What is this?"

Shera's voice was utterly devoid of warmth. "Did you do this?"

Caden's eyes narrowed as he struggled to process the accusation.

"You think I leaked this?" He let out a dark, furious laugh. "Shera, is this really the kind of man you think I am?"

Shera just stared at him, stone-faced.

Caden's expression turned lethal. Being looked at with such blatant disgust ignited a violent spark of anger in his chest. He forcefully swallowed his temper and turned his gaze back to the window.

"I pulled a few strings to make sure your name stayed on the shortlist, but I haven't sunk so low as to weaponize an internet mob against you."

*I pulled a few strings...*

So... the backdoor rumors were actually true?

Suddenly, the righteous fury that had fueled her all the way here evaporated, replaced by a sickening weight.

They weren't making it up. They weren't lying.

Shera swayed slightly on her feet, her mind going completely blank. "So... it's true?"

She looked at him, utter bewilderment swimming in her eyes. "Why would you do that? Did you even stop to think about the consequences?"

She had genuinely believed the accusations were baseless, malicious slander. But...

She looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "Now the entire internet is tearing me apart, and I'm public enemy number one. Is this your idea of helping me, Caden?"

Even being used as a stepping stone would have been vastly better than being covered in this manufactured filth.

Caden took a deep breath, trying to explain himself. "I didn't know about the leak until right now. Whoever is pulling the strings behind this, I will hunt them down."

Shera offered a broken smile. "Hunt them down? What, so you can put on a big show of finding the truth, 'help' me out again, and hand me a trophy that absolutely no one respects?"

"Caden, I honestly don't understand you."

His deep eyes darkened as he looked down at her, his patience rapidly evaporating. "What exactly are you so angry about? Do you think I did this to ruin you?"

"I'm angry because you never ask me!" Shera's voice echoed off the walls as she glared at him. "You never ask if I'm okay with it, if I accept it, or if I even *want* it! You just do whatever you think is best, and then you expect me to fall at your feet in gratitude."

Seeing her spiraling out of control, Caden tried to de-escalate. "Shera, I know you resent me because of what happened with your father, but can you please act like an adult? Stop projecting your grief onto everything else."