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.

Over the years, all residents had vacated the area-even Emily had removed everything she could

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

his bicycle with Emily perched on the back, her hands clutching 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

was smiling, he couldn't explain it. He just knew that Emily's

to stand beside

was packed with memories. Now it would be

A thunderous explosion brought the old buildings crashing down, dust

was slipping into oblivion. With Broadway Alley's destruction, the final bond tying Jason

buildings were

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

Emily agreed. "Society moves forward, conditions get better. Kids today

Jason announced he needed to

you take just one day

rarely all together-let us treat

moved from one face to another,

time. I can't

car door, Lacey stopped him. After a moment's hesitation, she

the defamatory post. Jason remained calm, even smiling slightly. "I can't let

should go to the police

truth will speak for itself,"

incident but hadn't imagined the rumors would so

he parked and exited his

walked steadily toward the faculty building. Colleagues

a slight smile, Jason continued to his office.

shoulder. "I assume you've heard the rumors. I believe in your character, of course, but gossip is powerful. Did you offend someone? The dean wants to see you this