Free Web NovelChapter 104: Chapter 104 Scandal Goes Viral
Christina’s POV
I was mindlessly flipping through boring hospital TV channels when a nurse knocked and entered my room.
"Luna Christina, there’s a man insisting on seeing you."
I perked up slightly. "Did he give his name?"
"Niall Granger."
My interest vanished instantly. "Tell him I’m not accepting visitors."
"Of course."
The nurse returned barely a minute later, looking apologetic. "He claims it’s urgent pack business and refuses to leave."
I rolled my eyes. "Then call security."
"Right away, Luna Christina."
Two hours of blessed peace later, my phone lit up with Louisa Granger’s name. I debated ignoring it, but guilt won out. I should have listened to that instinct.
She launched into her speech before I could even say hello.
After listening to enough accusations, I cut her off. "Louisa, I didn’t take those photos or leak anything to the press."
"I believe you, dear, but Niall insists you were the only one he encountered at the hospital."
"It’s a public hospital. Dozens of people walked past while Niall and Beatrice were arguing in the hallway. The nurse saw them. Security cameras saw them. Anyone could have taken those photos."
A heavy sigh came through the phone. "I suppose you’re right."
Her hesitation was obvious even through the phone. "Is there something else?"
"The story about Beatrice’s pregnancy... is it true?" Her voice tightened, clearly dreading the answer.
I paused before responding. "Yes, it is."
Louisa’s breathing changed immediately – shorter, shallower. The stress-breathing I’d grown familiar with during my years as her almost-daughter-in-law.
"Please don’t work yourself up again," I cautioned. "You’ve already been hospitalized once over Niall’s drama."
"I understand," she replied, though her tone suggested otherwise. "Christina, are you absolutely certain you had nothing to do with this? I know you’re upset with Niall, but this scandal is devastating our pack’s reputation, not just the company’s stock." ƒreewebɳovel.com
I was stunned.
"I had absolutely nothing to do with—"
Hudson smoothly took the phone from my hand.
"Mrs. Granger, this is Hudson Laurent speaking. My mate was with me yesterday and hasn’t spoken to any reporters. I suggest you stop making baseless accusations against her, or The Sabreridge pack will consider this an insult requiring formal redress."
He ended the call and handed my phone back.
"Are you angry?" I asked, studying his impassive face.
"Not at you. I simply won’t tolerate anyone speaking to you that way."
"I can’t believe she’d think I’d stoop that low."
As it turned out, Louisa wasn’t alone in her suspicions.
By afternoon, the scandal hadn’t died down as expected. New stories popped up on WolfWatch and human media. "Unnamed sources" were now saying Niall’s bitter ex-fiancée was behind the whole thing. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Some posts suggested I wanted him back. Others claimed I was seeking revenge. Either way, I was suddenly the villain of the story.
"This is complete bullshit!" Ysolde slammed her phone down on my bed. "Why are you suddenly getting all the heat? Niall’s the one who knocked up his fiancée’s sister!"
"The person who leaked the original story and whoever’s behind this smear campaign aren’t the same," I pointed out.
I was 99% certain Hudson was responsible for the original leak. As for this new spin... I had my suspicions.
Ysolde sat cross-legged on my bed and furiously typed a response on WolfWatch,
[Everyone’s being manipulated here. Niall’s ex hasn’t contacted him in weeks. Why would she suddenly leak this to win him back?]
[Why are we attacking the woman again? The man’s the one who cheated with his fiancée’s SISTER!]
She hit post and waited. Nothing. Not even a pity reaction.
"What the hell?" Ysolde swore. "The comment section was active seconds ago!"
She jumped up, pacing the room. "I’m going to find Niall and kick his ass. He’s definitely behind this."
Before I could stop her, she stormed out. Classic Ysolde – act first, think later.
I studied the posts more carefully. The writing style didn’t match Niall’s limited vocabulary and fragile ego. It felt more... vicious.
Hudson took my phone from my hands.
"You shouldn’t be stressing over this nonsense. Doctor’s orders."
"That’s my phone."
"Temporarily confiscated for your health."
I sighed. "Fine. I’ll use my tablet."
His lips twitched. "Thank you for the reminder."
Minutes later, I was both phone-less and tablet-less with nothing but a TV remote for entertainment.
When a nurse came to check my IV, I saw my opportunity.
"Could I borrow your phone for just a minute?" I asked sweetly.
She hesitated before handing it over. "Sure, just for a minute."
I quickly searched for the posts about "Niall Granger’s Vengeful Ex" but found... nothing. Every article, post, and mention had vanished. Completely scrubbed from the internet in less than an hour.
Hudson definitely wasn’t behind the smear campaign, but he’d certainly dealt with it effectively.
Ysolde returned looking bewildered. "All the news is gone."
"I know."
"I tried calling you."
"My communication devices have been... confiscated."
"By who?" Her confusion transformed into a knowing grin. "Oh. The possessive Alpha husband. Got it."
I didn’t bother confirming what she already knew.
Ysolde flopped onto my hospital bed. "So, how’s married life treating you so far?"
I gestured around at the hospital room. "Like luxury incarceration."
"The doctor said you need rest and quiet. Plus, this is a swanky private room."
"True, but you know how much I hate hospitals."
"Fair enough. Though I agree with your Alpha on this one. If you’d been discharged, the Grangers would be camped outside your door 24/7." Ysolde grimaced. "I literally just ran into Niall lurking by the hospital entrance. He tried to get me to bring him to you. I told him where he could shove that request."
I gave her an approving thumbs up.
She wasn’t looking, too focused on something on her phone. Her eyes widened. "Holy shit. Niall and Beatrice are getting married."
"What? For real?"
"The Frostpelt Pack just released an official statement."
