Chapter 213: Chapter 213: What in the World Happened Last Night?
"Okay, then remember to call Mr. Wynter to come pick you up. And send me a message when you get home."
"Don’t worry... Senior... Brother. I’ll be fine."
Ho-ran Park was still worried. After a moment’s thought, he called Shaun Quinn and asked him to come pick her up.
He helped Wren sit on a nearby bench. Once she was settled, he took Joy Lynch home.
Wren sat on the bench. A gust of cold wind blew over, jarring some of her lost sobriety back into her.
’So cold.’
She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, shivering all over. A look of confusion and helplessness surfaced on her beautiful face.
Just then, a tall figure walked up to her. The man took off his coat, draped it over Wren’s shoulders, and wrapped her in it before sweeping her up into his arms.
"Who is it?"
Wren tried with all her might to open her eyes, but the heavy intoxication made it impossible.
But the familiar scent put her at ease. She snuggled deeper into his arms, seeking warmth.
The next day, Wren woke up in bed. She had drunk so much last night that she’d completely blacked out; she didn’t even know how she got home.
She was completely bewildered. Just then, her phone suddenly rang. She fumbled to answer it, and on the other end was Joy Lynch’s shrill, frantic voice.
"Wren! Quick, check what’s trending!"
"What’s trending?"
Confused, Wren opened her social media app and found that the top three trending topics were all about the same thing.
"Famous Doctors Without Borders Physician in Midnight Rendezvous with Three Young Heartthrobs."
"Elder Hawthorne’s Protégé’s Messy Private Life Exposed!"
"SHOCKING! Former Mrs. Xavier’s Late-Night Tryst with Three Male Models."
These headlines shot up the trending list, dominating the top three spots.
Wren froze. With a trembling finger, she tapped on one of the posts. There it was: a picture of her with Kaden Xavier, Shaun Quinn, and Felix Vance.
’When was this taken? How did I not even know?’
"Wren, what exactly happened last night?"
Joy Lynch asked from the other end of the line, her voice filled with unconcealable worry.
Unfortunately, Wren didn’t know either. She had completely blacked out. How could she possibly remember what had happened?
"I don’t know, I blacked out last night..."
"Wren, Ho-ran has something to say to you."
While Wren was still reeling, Ho-ran Park took Joy’s phone. His voice was grave. "I was the one who called Shaun to pick you up. You were dead drunk, and I was worried you wouldn’t get home safely. I never expected you’d get photographed."
Ho-ran Park was wracked with guilt. If he had just insisted on taking Wren home himself, none of this would have happened.
Wren’s mind was a mess. The comments under the posts were filled with vitriol directed at her, and she had no idea who had even taken the photo.
But one thing was certain: whoever did this had a grudge against her.
"Junior Sister, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me. I’m coming over right now."
Ho-ran Park was deeply concerned. He felt largely responsible for what had happened and was consumed by guilt, worried that the scandal would be a devastating blow to Wren.
Wren took a deep breath, collecting herself. "There’s no need, Senior Brother. I’m at home now. I’m safe. Nothing will happen."
"That’s good. Just don’t go out for a few days. Wait for this to blow over."
"Okay."
Wren’s head was throbbing. She hung up the phone just as Finn Wynter’s voice came from outside her door.
"Wren, are you up?"
She got out of bed and opened the door for Finn. When he saw her bloodshot, reddened eyes and the aggrieved look on her face, he knew he hadn’t been able to hide the news from her.
"Brother, what on earth happened last night? Why can’t I remember anything?"
Finn’s heart ached to see his sister being slandered like this. He pulled her into a gentle hug, but where she couldn’t see, his expression turned ice-cold.
"Don’t worry," he said. "I’ll find out who did this and clear your name. I believe in you. I know you’re not that kind of person."
At the very least, his sister wasn’t the type to go back to her ex.
He didn’t think Wren had done anything wrong at all. A woman like his sister, Finn Wynter’s sister, was bound to have countless suitors. What infuriated him was that this incident had been blown completely out of proportion online, subjecting her to the judgment of so many strangers.
Wren slowly closed her eyes. A prickling sensation stung her nose, and a wave of injustice washed over her.
"Alright. You just rest at home for the next few days. Leave everything else to me."
Wren nodded and went back to her room.
Finn stood outside Wren’s door and pulled out his phone. "I want you to investigate this," he ordered. "And get those trending topics suppressed. Immediately."
"Yes, President Wynter."
Xavier Group.
Kaden Xavier was in a meeting when he found out about the trending news. Assistant Lynch had suddenly burst into the conference room, his expression frantic.
"Mr. Xavier, this is bad. Something’s happened."
With a panicked expression, Assistant Lynch leaned in and whispered something in Kaden’s ear. The senior executives in the room could feel the temperature plummet as Kaden’s face visibly darkened.
He shot to his feet. His eyes, narrowed to slits, swept across the executives before he turned and strode briskly out of the conference room.
"That’s all for today’s meeting. Everyone is dismissed."
Leaving them with that, Assistant Lynch turned and hurried out after him.
"Mr. Xavier, what do we do now?"
"Find a way to kill those trending stories. Now."
"Yes, sir. I’ve already started an investigation. But the photo has incited public outrage. Some people are even camped out at Miss Wynter’s house, waiting for her to emerge."
Kaden stopped in his tracks, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Send people to secure View Gardens."
"Yes, sir."
Kaden frowned, his mind drifting back to the previous night.
He’d been leaving a business dinner last night when he spotted Wren, alone and waiting for a car. Seeing how drunk she was, practically unconscious on her feet, he had quickened his pace to reach her.
Kaden took off his jacket, wrapped it around her, and swept her into his arms, intending to carry her to his car.
But just then, Shaun Quinn had appeared, blocking his path.
"Give her to me!"
Shaun Quinn’s face was cold, his murderous gaze fixed on Kaden.
Kaden’s expression was just as icy. He tightened his grip on Wren, his voice cold enough to freeze hell over.
"And if I don’t?"
"Kaden Xavier, the Yates Family has no reason to fear the Xavier Family."
It was a blatant threat, Shaun said, his voice cold. He clearly wasn’t worried about offending Kaden.
"So now you’ll admit you’re one of the Yates?"
Kaden’s words hit Shaun right where it hurt. He knew that Shaun had never been willing to acknowledge his identity, which was the source of his strained relationship with the Yates Family.
And yet, here he was, claiming the family he’d always resented.
Shaun’s expression turned ugly, his hands clenching into fists. "That’s none of your business. Give her to me. I’m taking her home."
"So can I."
Neither man was willing to back down. The air crackled with tension.
Felix Vance, rushing over, saw the standoff and quickly stepped between them, looking utterly exasperated.
"Dr. Wynter is still drunk. You two should just get her home."
