Returning to the empty house. Ella found the living room shrouded in darkness.

She stood by the shoe cabinet, instinctively reaching for the light switch.when a strong hand gripped her wrist forcefully.

The scent of women's perfume clung to Austin, overpowering his usual crisp pine cologne.

Ella lowered her gaze, automatically pushing against his chest.

"Move, Austin," she said coldly.

Austin's eyes glinted with contempt. "Who was he?"

She felt no need to explain.

His grip tightened as he pinned her against the wall.

Unable to break free, Ella glared at him. "My former classmate.Satisfied?"

"Funny, I've never heard about this classmate before."

She laughed bitterly.

Did he really think she was this disgraceful?

Her eyes turned glacial as she spoke through clenched teeth. "Let go, or P'm calling the police."

Seeing her resistance only fueled Austin's anger. He silenced her with a forceful kiss. "You won't leave me, Ella. You can't leave me."

He repeated the words as he continued the violent kiss.

"I want a divorce, Austin. Right now!" Ella couldn't wait any longer.

Austin stormed out, slamming the door with enough force to rattle the walls.

Watching his retreating figure, Ella slid down against the door until she reached the floor.

That night, Austin never returned.

'Probably with Judith,' She thought.

Around midnight, a sharp pain began spreading through her abdomen.Ella endured it throughout the night.

The next morning at work, Ella arrived without breakfast, the persistent cramping making her appear sickly.

Hannah noticed immediately. "Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.

Ella clutched her stomach, drawing in a sharp breath as she shook her head.

"You should take the day off. You look exhausted after helping me with the late work yesterday."

Hannah's eyes reflected genuine sympathy.

Ella kept her head down, focusing on her tasks. She had always been meticulous in her work.

Just then, her phone chimed.

Ella glanced down.

It was a trending social media post.

#Quantum Tech intern sleeps with executive for promotion#

When she opened it, she found a photo of herself and Anthony leaving the restaurant that day.

While Anthony's face wasn't clearly visible, hers was perfectly captured.

The comments were vicious.

[Is this for real?]

[Talk about workplace ethics. Was she interviewing to be his personal assistant?]

[Day shift at work, night shift in bed?]

[She looks familiar-wasn't she that escort from last night?]

[Total club rat. No wonder she looks so trashy.]

[The finance world is full of this stuff. Met some rich kids at a club once.

One guy's wife was openly cheating, but he didn't seem that upset-

probably has a new fling himself.]

[The Raymonds?]

[Smart, that didn't take long to figure out.]

[What scandal? Keep going, don't stop now.]

Ella turned off her phone, her face ashen.

"Ella, are you okay? You look terrible," Hannah said, approaching her desk.

Ella remained silent as Hannah continued. "Mr. Castillo wants you to notify the department heads about the meeting."

Ella nodded and left.

Hannah watched her leave, overhearing a female colleague who sidled up to her desk. "Hannah, why are you still talking to her? She is something else!"

Ella paused at the doorway, biting her lip as her face paled further. She proceeded to visit each department.

One by one, the departments refused her, presumably because of the online rumors.

People naturally avoid trouble, especially when it involves someone new and insignificant.

Finally, she arrived at the Research and Development Department.

Jason, the Design director, wasn't at his desk.

Standing at the entrance, Ella called for someone's attention,but everyone kept their heads down, determined to avoid her.

"Look at her-pretty face, ugly soul," someone muttered.

"Think the rumors are true?"

"They have photos, don't they? Must be true."

Ella listened to their whispers as the cramping pain intensified,making her feel like she'd been plunged into an ice bath.

"Ella, who are you looking for?" Judith appeared, noticing her immediately.

"Jason," Ella replied quietly.

"He's not here." Judith looked her up and down before deliberately asking.

"About those online rumors?"

Ella studied her, strongly suspecting Judith had taken the photo.But she had no proof.

Everyone interpreted her silence as guilt.

Just then,Jason appeared.

"Ella!" he called out.

Judith quickly intercepted him, blocking his view of Ella. "Jason, Ella's been trying to find people for Mr. Castillo's meeting, but keeps getting turned away. Could you help her out?"

Jason nodded, barely acknowledging Judith as he turned to Ella. "Ill ask them."

He left without another word.

Everyone assumed Jason was only helping because of Judith's request.

"Judith's really somnething, even Jason listens to her."

"Ella, you should thank Judith. Without her, Jason wouldn't have helped you."

Several colleagues began praising Judith.

Judith basked in their admiration.

She glanced triumphantly at Ella, clearly expecting gratitude.

Instead. Ella turned and walked away without a word.

"What's her problem?"

"Jealousy,obviously!"

"Judith, you shouldn't help someone so ungrateful. The rumors must be true."

"Let's not stoop to her level," Judith said, watching Ella's retreating figure with a satisfied smile.

Now that she had joined Quantum Tech, Judith was determined to make Ella's life miserable for as long as they both worked there.

Ella entered the restroom, turning on the faucet.

She washed her hands mechanically, her face pale and expressionless.

Hannah messaged her.

[Ella, have you joined the company chat group?]

Ella replied: [No.]Hannah sent her the link with a note: [Don't take those online rumors to heart. Focus on your work and don't let it affect you.]

Ella sent a thankful emoji and clicked the link to join the company chat.

Immediately, she saw people discussing her.

[She went to several departments and got kicked out.]

[Nobody wants anything to do with her. If she hadn't tried sleeping her way up,she wouldn't be isolated by the entire company.]

[She's pretty, though. Between her and Judith from Design, who's mort attractive?]

UJudith, of course! Beautiful and kind-hearted. Some people rely on underhanded methods to advance, but they'll crash eventually.]

[I vote for Judith,too.]

After reading the messages. Ella turned off her phone and forcefully shut off the water.

She grabbed some paper towels to dry her hands.

As she left the restroom, Ella returned to her work, determined to focus.

Hannah was right.

She shouldn't let rumors affect her.

The most important thing was to work hard.

Compared to what Austin had put her through, this suffering was nothing.

If she was going to leave the Raymond family, she needed to adapt to this new reality.