When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 335

Chapter 335 Collateral Damage

This was precisely the moment to betray his childhood friend and former classmate. With his own pain fresh and raw, Vincent no longer cared if his friend suffered alongside him.

An anonymous insider had leaked the photos online, plunging the already desperate Nygard family into deeper turmoil. The scandal spread like wildfire, leaving no room for escape.

Shortly after the photos went public, Marcelo’s phone rang. Vincent answered without a flicker of surprise, his voice calm and steady.

“You gave them those photos, didn’t you? Are you trying to ruin me?” Marcelo’s voice exploded through the receiver, thick with anger.

Marcelo had endured endless nagging from his parents and older relatives all week, and now this blow hit him hard. The photos dated back two years, snapshots from a card game Vincent had organized. Since only Vincent had access to those pictures, Marcelo was certain he was behind the leak.

Vincent didn’t even bother denying it. “What choice did I have?” he said bluntly. “My parents refuse to call off the engagement. This was the only way I could fight back.”

“If I make this scandal worse, maybe my mom will be the one to break it off. Come on, help me out here.”

Marcelo’s frustration boiled over. “I’m no better off than you!” he shouted.

“Exactly! We’re in the same sinking ship. Let’s drown our sorrows together—come on, let’s grab a drink.”

Marcelo’s anger twisted into a bitter laugh. “You stab me in the back, and now you want to drink with me?”

“Absolutely! Let’s toast to our early freedom. If Gianna gets kicked out, even better.”

“You’ve been holding this in, haven’t you? Isn’t it great I’m helping you throw a punch?”

Vincent shrugged off the damage with a shrug. “It’s done now. People will talk, sure, but I’m the one being cheated on. And honestly? I’m not even angry.”

“So what’s left to complain about?”

Marcelo sneered coldly. “Heh.”

“Come on, drinks are on me.”

Marcelo’s face darkened like a storm cloud, his mind cursing Vincent’s entire family tree. Yet, after a long pause, he replied reluctantly, “Fine. I guess I’ll go.”

Then he hung up.

Vincent muttered to himself, “What’s he so proud about?”

Marcelo had always been like this since they were kids—putting on a tough front when he clearly wanted to back down. He had to act hard and only give in if begged. What a ridiculous temper. Vincent wondered where he had inherited it from.

Meanwhile, Jeremy was the only one consistently reaching out to Amelia, messaging her every day with hopeful persistence.

“Amelia, want to grab dinner? I’ll pick you up.”

That ridiculous engagement had been arranged by his grandmother behind both his and his mother’s backs. Neither had agreed to it, but his grandmother was stubborn, and he had no power to stop her. He never cared enough to explain. To him, it was a trivial matter.

He just never imagined they’d appear on the same screen during the variety show.

“Now you regret it, huh?” Anderson clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “This is where I, the dating expert, step in to teach you a lesson.”

Anderson had dated countless women and prided himself on his experience. He believed he could save Jeremy from this mess.

“Got any good ideas?” Jeremy asked skeptically. Still, Anderson’s experience made him worth listening to.

“Of course! You need to stick to her like glue, don’t take no for an answer. Get her out for a few drinks.”

“Once she’s tipsy, take her home. You know, the usual. After that, she’ll do whatever you want.”

“Trust me. A woman never forgets her first man, hahaha.”

Jeremy gave him a blank stare and said simply, “Scram.”

He stood up, grabbed his jacket, and left the office. If he had to rely on this idiot, he’d rather depend on himself.

Watching him go, Anderson thought Jeremy was finally ready to take the advice and act.