Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BECOME THE VILLAIN
The public story quickly became ugly.
Some commentators portrayed Rebecca as a wealthy heiress who had secretly controlled her husband's company.
Others described Nathaniel as a self-made businessman betrayed by his wife.
Sloane's name appeared in gossip columns.
The affair became public.
Rebecca hated every minute.
She didn't want to become famous because her marriage had collapsed.
She wanted the company to survive.
She wanted employees to keep their jobs.
And she wanted the truth to matter more than the scandal.
One morning, Eleanor entered Rebecca's office.
“We have a problem.”
Rebecca looked up.
“What now?”
“Someone leaked selected documents suggesting you used Langford's influence to force Nathaniel out.”
Rebecca sighed.
“Can we identify the source?”
“Not yet.”
She studied the article.
The documents were incomplete.
They omitted the independent committee's findings.
They ignored the disputed guarantee.
And they suggested Rebecca had acted alone.
She looked at Eleanor.
“We need a factual response.”
Eleanor nodded.
“Agreed.”
Rebecca considered.
“Not a personal attack.”
Eleanor smiled faintly.
“I expected you'd say that.”
The company issued a statement explaining the board's independent review and governance process.
Rebecca declined personal interviews.
She refused to discuss intimate details of her marriage publicly.
When a reporter asked whether she hated Nathaniel, she answered:
“I don't believe hatred is necessary for accountability.”
The quote spread widely.
Rebecca hadn't intended it to become a headline.
But it did.
That afternoon, Sloane requested a meeting through counsel.
Rebecca agreed only with attorneys present.
Sloane entered the conference room looking exhausted.
Her perfect makeup couldn't hide the dark circles beneath her eyes.
She sat opposite Rebecca.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Sloane whispered, “I'm sorry.”
Rebecca looked at her.
“For the affair?”
Sloane nodded.
“And for what I said about you.”
Rebecca remained silent.
Sloane continued.
“Nathaniel told me you didn't care about him anymore.”
Rebecca looked down.
“He told me you were married in name only.”
She swallowed.
“I believed him.”
Rebecca studied her.
“You wanted to believe him.”
Sloane closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
The admission hung between them.
Rebecca continued.
“You knew he was married.”
Sloane nodded.
“Yes.”
“And you chose to continue.”
“Yes.”
Rebecca took a breath.
“Then you have to own that choice.”
Sloane began crying.
“I know.”
Rebecca didn't comfort her.
But she didn't humiliate her either.
The financial investigation remained separate.
Sloane would be responsible for her own conduct.
Nathaniel for his.
Rebecca had no interest in turning another woman's humiliation into entertainment.
As Sloane stood to leave, she hesitated.
“Rebecca?”
“Yes?”
“Why aren't you trying to destroy me?”
Rebecca looked at her.
“Because you already know what you did.”
Sloane stared.
Rebecca continued.
“And because I don't want to become someone I wouldn't respect.”
Sloane lowered her head.
Then walked away.
Rebecca watched the door close.
She felt no triumph.
Only exhaustion.
But she also felt proud.
May you like
She had been betrayed.
And she was choosing not to let betrayal decide her character.
