Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 294 Reputation Cannot Be Ignored

The review had been posted just minutes earlier. Reading through it, Jason

immediately guessed the author-he could practically see Lacey's indignant expression through her passionate critique. Her critique was sharp yet fair. Amused, he responded with a brief 'Well-reasoned,' followed by a string of thumbs-up emojis.

Early the next morning, Lacey checked her phone before getting out of bed. Scrolling through responses to her review, she froze upon seeing one particular comment. Jason's profile picture made him instantly recognizable. She bolted upright, pounding her fists against her comforter in mortification.

He must have realized she wrote the review, exposing her embarrassment for all to see. After tossing and turning, Lacey finally dragged herself out of bed to get ready, silently vowing to avoid initiating contact with him until the memory of both the awkward movie and her flustered review had faded.

While eating breakfast, her phone rang-it was Richard with shocking news. After hanging up, she immediately opened the local forum to find a scandalous story about a teacher-student relationship trending. The post contained vicious lies about Jason. Unsure if he had seen it yet, she called him immediately.

Jason mentioned he was making breakfast and planned to head to campus afterward. From his tone, she could tell he was unaware of the rumors.

Instinctively wanting to protect him, Lacey suggested, "After yesterday's incident with that student, there are bound to be unpleasant rumors circulating. Perhaps you should take a few days off until things settle down?"

Jason laughed it off. "I've done nothing wrong, so I have nothing to fear from gossip. Besides, I can't let my students miss their lessons just because I'm avoiding public opinion."

His determination was unwavering. After hanging up, Lacey felt uncharacteristically anxious. Though typically level-headed in any situation, she couldn't remain calm when Jason's reputation-perhaps even his career was at stake. Refreshing the page, she saw the post's view count had exploded in just twenty minutes.

She forced herself to calm down. As Jason had said, he'd done nothing wrong.

Just then, the development department called with an update. After hearing their report, an idea struck her. She immediately drove to Jason's house.

As she was about to ring the doorbell, Jason opened the door, briefcase in hand and clearly ready for work.

"Broadway Alley is being demolished today," she said. "Would you like to see it one last time?"

Knowing the old neighborhood held special meaning for him, she gambled that he would want to witness its final moments. Checking his watch, Jason hesitated before nodding in agreement.

Broadway Alley. Over the years, all residents had vacated the area-even Emily had removed everything she could from her old

at the entrance, gazing down the alley he had traversed countless times, memories washing over

her dress, feet swinging freely. Emily's smile had always made her eyes crinkle, her long lashes fluttering like butterflies. Her laughter was so contagious that it effortlessly brought a

asked why he was smiling, he couldn't explain it. He just knew that Emily's laughter had always

and Ethan emerged, walking to stand beside Jason at the alley entrance. Together, they stared silently

packed with memories. Now it would be gone, existing

demolition began. A thunderous explosion brought the old buildings crashing down, dust billowing skyward. Excavators moved forward, methodically reducing

Broadway Alley's destruction, the final bond tying Jason

forced a smile. "It's for the best. These buildings were becoming dangerous practically condemned. They were an eyesore.

but they had both grown past the need for emotional displays. Adulthood had taught them to shield themselves, to hide their feelings behind calm

forward, conditions get better.

Jason announced he needed

just one

rarely all together-let us treat you

from one face to another, sensing

time. I can't miss class," he

a moment's hesitation, she decided he should know the truth-better

smiling slightly. "I can't let external factors interfere with my

should go to the police first,"

already started the engine. "The truth will speak for itself," he said before driving

rumors

he parked and exited his vehicle, egg yolk dripped down the sides of his car. Nearby, people pointed and

toward the faculty building. Colleagues who normally greeted him warmly now passed silently,

smile, Jason continued to his office. He had barely sat down

character, of course, but gossip is powerful. Did you offend someone? The