The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 40

The photo of Joanna Taylor and Ryan Bennett embracing spread like wildfire across the internet.

Every corner of the web was flooded with vicious comments. Labels like "promiscuous" and "two-timing" were ruthlessly slapped onto Joanna.

Sean Yates tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "What's strange is how many A-list celebrities have suddenly taken an interest in this."

Some were loudly condemning this "immoral" behavior, while others subtly insinuated that Joanna had questionable character. As more public figures joined the fray, the scandal snowballed, leaving Joanna trapped in a storm of public condemnation.

Joanna had once been a modestly popular food and baking blogger, but now, every notification on her social media was filled with hate and curses. The coffee in her hands had gone cold, yet she still hadn't snapped out of her daze.

"Joanna, our team is suppressing the trending topics. It'll blow over soon," Sean reassured her.

Joanna sighed. "I was stupid. I didn't keep my distance from Ryan. When he said he had stomach cancer, I actually believed him."

Sean was silent for a long moment. "The cancer is real. He was diagnosed at one of our affiliated hospitals. But that's his private matter."

Joanna said nothing.

Sean squeezed her shoulder. "Don't be afraid. Innocence has nothing to fear from shadows."

Joanna pressed her lips together. It wasn't the backlash that scared her—it was the strangeness of it all.

This had happened once before with Bianca White. Knowing Ryan, she doubted he'd repeat such a clumsy tactic.

So why?

At the same time, identical dossiers landed on both Ryan and Sean's desks.

The mastermind behind this wasn't hard to uncover—Camellia Snow, the award-winning actress.

Camellia held a prestigious position in the entertainment industry, renowned for her acting skills. Most importantly, she guarded her reputation fiercely, with almost no scandals to her name.

Sean clenched the documents in his hand.

This woman had no connection to Joanna. Why target her?

Meanwhile, Ryan suddenly coughed violently, spitting up a mouthful of blood.

"Mr. Bennett, a Miss Lin is here to see you," his assistant announced softly from the door.

Ryan wiped the blood from his lips, his expression turning icy again.

Camellia entered, her features soft and serene, like an untainted white lotus.

Ryan studied her, his gaze unreadable.

"Reason?"

Camellia smiled, her demeanor even gentler. "Mr. Bennett, I only wanted to help you get revenge."

Ryan frowned. "Help me? Who the hell do you think you are?"

A trace of melancholy flickered in Camellia's eyes. "You've forgotten, Mr. Bennett. Six years ago, at The Grandeur, you saved me..."

Ryan scrutinized her face and finally recognized her.

Six years ago, at The Grandeur.

Back then, Camellia had been a rookie actress, tricked by a director into attending a dinner where she was expected to entertain.

Amid the clinking glasses, predatory hands had wandered beneath her skirt. The table was laden with delicacies, but everyone knew the real "dish" being served.

After rounds of drinks, Camellia had been pinned down, tears streaming down her face while the others watched with amusement.

Until—

A pair of elegant, long-fingered hands pulled her up.

Young and reckless, Ryan had kicked the man harassing her away, his voice cold and commanding.

"Can't you see she's unwilling?"

"Make trouble, and I'll make sure you regret it."

The room had fallen silent. But in that moment, Camellia had secretly fallen for her savior.

Yet Ryan had already married Joanna, forcing Camellia to bury her feelings—until they festered into obsession.

When she saw how devastated Ryan was over Joanna's engagement to another man, and later learned of his stomach cancer, she decided to act.

She would take revenge—for love.