Chapter 168 In the villa , Joycelyn sat cross legged on the carpet , watching the evening live broadleast while waiting for Ellison to return from work for dinner .
On the screen , Iris and Octavia were being interviewed by varios media outlets in the hospital ward .
In just one day , the two women had gained immense popularity and became internet sensations .
A reporter held up a recorder and probed with a question designed to exploit sensitive emotions .
He asked , Mrs.
Mercer , you mentioned that your daughter , Joycelyn , severed all ties with you after getting married , even blocking all your contact information .
She didnt even visit you when you were hospitalized and in critical condition .
Shes been cold hearted and cruel toward you , right ? Iris clutched her chest and cried bitterly , Yes , my daughter has always been sensible .
I was too strict with her when she was younger , never allowing her to date so she could focus on school .
Who could have known she would be deceived by an insurance alesman and cut off all contact with her family ? Just imagine Joycelyn , the daughter shed raised with such care , had grown up and married a man who sold insurance because of love and then had a falling out with her family .
When her mother was on the brink of death , Joycelyn couldnt care less .
Iris stepdaughter was far more filial and considerate than she had been .
Its often said that one should never marry someone their parents disapprove of .
Iriss description of Joycelyns actions had once again struck a nerve with many women .
Joycelyn lowered her eyes , scrolling through the comments section , reading even harsher criticisms of herself .
She was being called ungrateful , a love struck fool , and a total disappointment to women everywhere .
But weve learned from the hospital that your surgery fees were paid by your daughter .
She also paid for you to be moved to a private ward and even hired Zoe Jackson , a nurse , to take care of you , the reporter added .
Upon hearing this , Iris stopped crying , clearly caught off guard after being exposed by the reporter .
Octavia immediately stepped in with teary eyes and explained , We had to beg for that , too .
For my mothers sake , I was slapped by my sister .
It was posted online .
I was publicly humiliated in front of the Grant Group .
But for my mother , I have no complaints .
Octavia lowered her head , sobbing , her voice full of humility .
As tris stepdaughter , Octavia appeared far more considerate than Joycelyn , Iris biological daughter .
Joycelyn looked at the panic in her mothers eyes .
Then , she sent the secretly recorded video she had received without any hesitation .
Not long after it was uploaded , the voices of Iris and Octavia conspiring together became audible in the live broadcast .
Clavias comment about needing to teach Joycelyn a lesson for her to behave properly was particularly striking .
Though Iriss voice was soft when she agreed with Octavia , it was filled with bitterness .
Octavia immediately sensed something was wrong and grabbed reporters phone to look at it for a few seconds .
Realizing it was her , she immediately felt guilty but quickly shifted the narrative .
10:02 Wed , Feb 19 Chapter 168 She held the vidéo up to the cameras and explained , This vided is fake .
Joycelyn used her looks and her husbands job as an insurance salesperson to connect with some wealthy individuals This must be a video made by her sponsors to clear her name .
didnt expect her to be so vicious that she would frame her own mother ! Octavias words sparked another wave of controversy .
Zoe , who had been silently observing nearby , could no longer hold back her anger .
She pushed past the reporters hefty frame and approached Iris , holding up her phone for everyone to see , with her Zoe said .
I took this video .
Ive seen their true colors .
Your biological daughter not only paid for your medical expenses but also stayed by your side during surgery .
She even gave me an envelope with thousands of dollars to take care of you and buy you supplements .
This stepdaughter of yours only comes around when shes asking for money , either from you or from your biological daughter .
Are you still not satisfied ? Her current husbands two nephews are in the hospital and theyre too stingy to part with any money , so they made me take care of them too .
Theyre a pack of wolves and vultures .
If I were in her shoes , Id run away .
Id catch the first flight out of here any delay would be harmful to me .
These two are just pretentious and acting like theyre the victims Your family is full of leeches and you blame her for not taking care of you ? Pili ! Zoes words came out like rapid fire , and she didnt hold back .
Iris and Octavia were stunned by the harsh tirade .
The entire room fell silent .
Joycelyn , watching from home , felt little emotion in the face of her biological mothers slander .
But when she saw the nurse standing up for her , her eyes welled up with emotion .
Everyone else could see the truth , but her mother had chosen to ignore it , This is the woman Joycelyn hired to keep an eye on Mother .
You two are in this together , arent you ? You just admitted to taking her money .
She told you to say all that , didnt she ? Octavias eyes were red , her voice dripping with grievance .
Zoe retorted , Didnt you just say that she wouldnt give you a single cent and didnt care if you lived or died ? Then why are you saying that I received money from her now ? If I didnt get paid , why would I take care of such a dramatic woman ? This dramatic turn of events made the netizens suspicious .
Then , the police arrived and informed everyone that Iris and Octavia had been profiting from their staged misery , manipulating public opinion for financial gain .
They were suspected of illegal financial activity and were taken into custody .
What everyone thought was a family drama turned out to be a staged act , and now they were even suspected of criminal activity .
The netizens who were manipulated and used as pawns were furious .
They redirected their anger toward Octavia and Iris .
Joycelyn switched off the live broadcast without a word .
She hadnt shown her face or spoken once .
From the shock of learning the truth to the numbness that followed , she had maintained a calm , rational composure , turning the tide with precision .
Sitting back on the sofa with Rocky in her arms , she took in the view of the luxurious villa .
10:02 Wed , Feb 19 Chapter 168 For the first time , she had a safe haven She recalled the rainy night when she moved out of the Mercer family .

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Desperate , with nowhere to go , she had been so humiliated that she had sought Ellison out and agreed to marry him ..
In return , he had unexpectedly given her the protection and security she had never experienced before .
n When Ellison arrived home , he took off his shoes at the door and noticed a little black and white ball in the living room .
He stared at it for a moment , and in the next second , resigned himself to the situation .
Rocky , scared of Ellison , immediately ran to Joycelyn for comfort .
Whats wrong , Rocky ? Joycelyn asked , not understanding what had upset him to the point he jumped into her arms .
Thinking the two dogs had been fighting , with Rocky being the loser and looking for comfort from Joycelyn , Joycelyn looked around and saw her other dog , Lucky , hurrying toward Eison , tugging at his trousers .
Under the bright lights , Ellison stood tall in his suit , his imposing figure creating a stark contrast with the small , mischievous ball of fur at his feet , He looked every bit the husband returning home after a long day , trying to manage the naughty kids at home , a stern expression on his face but with a hint of helplessness .
Joycelyn watched him for a moment , first noticing his natural air of elegance , then feeling her heart skip a beat .
This little guy , not yet beaten down by the world , had the audacity to challenge the big bad wolf .
Lucky , come here , Joycelyn called out as she stood up , still holding Rocky , and reached for the little black dog .
The puppy , unfamiliar with its new name , stuck its tongue out and wandered around in front of Ellison .
Joycelyn was worried when she watched Lucky .
Ellison frowned , though he remained still and silent .
Luckys tail wagged even more vigorously .
Youre back ? Joycelyn asked with a soft smile , walking over to Ellison , where she half knelt to pick up the playful little black dog .
She was feeling much better now .
For a moment , she resembled a mother trying to discipline her naughty child , Yeah , how was your day ? Ellison asked , slipping off his suit jacket and setting it on the couch .
Joycelyn replied , It was quite good .
I ate well , watche a movie , and understood everything the teacher taught this morning .
I finished my work in the afternoon .
I think Ill be able to go back to school soon .
Joycelyn blinked her eyes , reporting her day without mentioning the online harassment shed endured Ellison listened intently as he softly gazed at her .
In the span of a single day , she seemed unchanged , but somehow , she was different .