Chapter 318: The Counter Attack

At 10:30 a.m., the internet exploded.

Photos of Charlotte Harris and Kristoff Dalton flooded social media, accompanied by videos of their dates and intimate moments together.

In one particularly popular clip, Kristoff was gazing at Charlotte with a tenderness that made countless netizens swoon.

The footage quickly went viral.

People also dug up Kristoff’s statements during his engagement announcement, dissecting every word and twisting his explanations into sensational headlines.

Within minutes, the internet was divided into two camps.

Some praised Kristoff for having the courage to end a long-term relationship rather than remain trapped in an engagement he no longer wanted. Others condemned him for abandoning Charlotte after years of being together.

But just when the controversy seemed to have reached its peak, another bombshell dropped.

An article detailing Kristoff’s car accident during college suddenly surfaced online.

According to the report, the accident had left Charlotte unable to bear children for the rest of her life.

The revelation changed everything.

Suddenly, Kristoff was no longer the man who had bravely walked away from a relationship. He was the heartless man who had allegedly ruined a woman’s future and then abandoned her.

The comment sections erupted.

"Now I understand why the Dalton family insisted on securing an heir before Kristoff proposed to Charlotte. The rich really do have secrets buried everywhere!"

"He talked about responsibility when it came to Isobel. What about his responsibility to Charlotte? My poor idol! My heart aches for her!"

"Wait a minute. Was Kristoff drunk when that accident happened? Maybe the family covered it up because they had money and connections. Charlotte was the one who paid the price!"

"Exactly! She’s the real victim here. She lost her ability to have children because of him, and now he’s walking away as if nothing happened?"

"Kristoff owes Charlotte for the rest of his life. No amount of money can give her back what she lost!"

Then, as expected, the discussion took another ugly turn.

"So, in the end, Isobel is still the homewrecker who destroyed their relationship!"

"If she hadn’t agreed to be Kristoff’s surrogate, Charlotte and Kristoff might still be together!"

"Seriously, how can a woman get involved with a man who belongs to someone else? What is wrong with young people these days?"

"Wait, isn’t Isobel a Foster? Why would a woman from the Foster family agree to become a surrogate?"

"Have you forgotten? She was an orphan. Julian Foster only discovered her identity recently. By then, she’d already given birth to Kristoff’s child!"

"So what? That doesn’t excuse what she did!"

What had begun as a scandal about Kristoff and Charlotte had now become a public trial of Isobel.

Her newly discovered identity as Julian Foster’s daughter, which should have earned her sympathy and congratulations, was dragged into the controversy.

Strangers who knew nothing about her circumstances felt entitled to judge her choices, question her character, and rewrite her story.

Within minutes, the attacks multiplied.

Old photographs were dug up. Malicious posts spread like wildfire. Anonymous accounts circulated rumors, while self-proclaimed moral guardians lined up to condemn her.

And behind the chaos, someone was pulling the strings.

Inside Kristoff’s executive office, Owen stared at the latest online reports with a deepening frown.

The situation was deteriorating faster than expected.

"Boss, we have a problem." He turned his tablet toward Kristoff. "The number of people attacking Isobel is increasing. Someone is deliberately fueling the controversy, and the posts are spreading across multiple platforms."

Kristoff, who had been reviewing documents, slowly raised his eyes.

"Who is behind it? Has Xander tracked them down?"

"He’s identified three separate groups working with paid keyboard warriors. Miss Harris is one of them. John Ascott is another."

Owen hesitated before continuing.

"The third group is more difficult to trace. Xander hasn’t been able to identify who’s funding them or who’s giving the orders."

Kristoff leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

Three groups.

Charlotte Harris. John Ascott. And someone hiding behind an elaborate network of anonymous accounts.

His lips curved into a humorless smile.

"It should be Marco Pollus."

Owen looked up sharply. "The head of Pollus Corporation?"

"Who else?" Kristoff replied coldly. "Marco has always been ambitious. I knew he’d try to use this controversy to his advantage, but I didn’t think he’d stoop to such a pathetic tactic to damage my reputation."

The Pollus Corporation had been eyeing several business opportunities that Kristoff’s company controlled. With his personal life dominating the headlines, his credibility could take a hit, distracting him from more important battles.

It was a calculated move.

And Marco had chosen the wrong target.

Kristoff picked up his phone.

For several seconds, his thumb hovered over Charlotte’s name.

Once upon a time, he would have hesitated before confronting her. Years of shared memories had made him more forgiving than he should have been.

He had loved her once. That was precisely why he had given her so many chances.

But Charlotte had mistaken his restraint for weakness.

Not anymore.

He typed four messages and sent them one after another.

"I remained silent about what you did because we shared years of our lives, and because I once genuinely loved you."

"But you’ve gone too far."

"My patience has limits, Charlotte. You should have known that."

"You forced my hand. Now, face the consequences."

Kristoff put down his phone.

When he looked at Owen again, the warmth that occasionally softened his features had vanished completely.

"Release the nursery surveillance footage from the night Alexander nearly died."

Owen froze.

Then he carefully asked, "And the other file?"

"Charlotte’s medical records from before the accident."

Owen’s eyes widened slightly.

Those two pieces of evidence could change the entire narrative. One could expose what had really happened on the night Alexander’s life had hung in the balance. The other could challenge the claims Charlotte had allowed the public to believe about her medical condition.

But releasing them would also drag deeply personal matters into the public eye.

"Boss, once those files are released, there’s no turning back."

Kristoff’s gaze sharpened.

"Did I ask you to remind me?"

"No, Boss."

"Then do it."

Owen straightened immediately. "Understood."

Kristoff rose from his chair and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Far below, the city continued its relentless rhythm, indifferent to the scandal consuming the internet.

He stared at the sprawling skyline, his jaw tightening.

Charlotte could hate him. She could accuse him of abandoning her. She could even try to destroy his reputation.

He didn’t care anymore.

But Isobel ...