The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 58

Chapter 7

I thought I’d never cross paths with Celeste again.

But within days, I realized I’d underestimated her.

Three of the top five trending topics were about me:

#Ashford Heiress Workplace Bullying#

#Rich Girl Steals Poor Student’s Boyfriend#

#Isabella Ashford Homewrecker#

I clicked through–the instigator claimed to be an “insider.”

She posted a lengthy piece painting me as a twisted rich girl who hid her identity to infiltrate Blackthorne Industries and pursue Nathaniel.

According to her narrative, when Nathaniel rejected me for the pure and kind Celeste, I turned vengeful, using my position to torment Celeste before leveraging my family background to force their separation at the press

conference.

Comments piled on, claiming I regularly humiliated Celeste at the company and even physically assaulted her.

Uninformed netizens cursed me as vicious and heartless.

Some colleagues who knew me tried to defend me, but they were quickly drowned out by the abuse.

Nathaniel called as well:

“Isabella, I brought this fire upon myself and caused you to be slandered. Do you need me to cooperate with your company’s legal department?”

I sighed: “Your involvement now would only make it look like I’m using my power to suppress others.”

“Celeste claims I’m a workplace bully who abuses her position? Then I’ll let her taste the consequences!”

“But if this affects you, don’t blame me.”

I had initially hoped for an amicable parting–after years of working alongside Nathaniel, I didn’t want to completely block his path.

But now, that seemed impossible.

20:08

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

48.3%

Chapter 7

I didn’t rush to issue a denial, which would only make me look guilty.

After gathering evidence, I published a comprehensive response on my verified social media account.

No sob story or complaints–just a clear timeline with supporting evidence.

My employment at Nathaniel’s company was legitimate family training, with complete hiring documentation.

Online records showed me helping him resurrect his dying company.

I posted screenshots of partial chat records with Nathaniel–all work–related.

The most personal exchange was him joking that if neither of us married by thirty, we should get together.

I had replied: “Focus on getting the company public first.”

Anyone could see we maintained a purely professional partnership.

I also included chat records where Nathaniel expressed dissatisfaction with Celeste’s willfulness and thanked me for my tolerance.

I concluded with:

Mr. Blackthorne and I have always maintained a professional working relationship without overstepping boundaries. Regarding Ms. Clearwater’s repeated provocations and defamation, I previously chose not to pursue action in the interest of peace. However, these online falsehoods have seriously damaged both my personal reputation and my company’s image. I will pursue legal action. The innocent will be vindicated, the guilty exposed.

The moment this post went live, public opinion reversed instantly.

Everyone mocked Celeste as a drama school graduate with Cinderella delusion syndrome.

Anyone with sense could see she had brought disaster upon herself while trying to frame me.

I became the object of netizen sympathy.

Some even joked about me training externally–even heiresses had to be workhorses.

When police found Celeste in her cheap rental apartment, she was still hysterically cursing me, claiming I had stolen everything from her and ruined her life.

From beginning to end, she never believed she was wrong, aming all her misfortunes on me.

Such selfish, twisted people are both hateful and pitiable.

The canceled cooperation had already damaged Blackthorn Industries, creating cash flow problems.

20:08

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

48.6%

Chapter 7

Now this scandal, involving the personal conduct of management, made investors retreat further.

Previous partners, knowing about my falling–out with Blackthorne, added insult to injury.

Blackthorne Industries‘ stock price began plummeting.

Within days, financial news reported multiple Blackthorne projects stalled, banks demanding loan repayments, bankruptcy looming.

Nathaniel was forced to sell his shares.

When I saw this news, I felt nothing.

He had chosen to protect her; naturally, he must bear the consequences.

I had simply revealed the truth to protect myself.

(0)

(0)

20:08