When His Secretary Slandered Me

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On our ten - year anniversary, Alistair and I ended long - distance living and announced our engagement.

At the party, his secretary Lina eyed me up and down with a sly grin.

So, you're the fiance. I think I know you from online. Aren't you that adult star with a new co - star in every vid? she said innocently. "First time meeting, but your body looks familiar."

I looked up, my voice icy. "Are you sure it was me?"

Lina feigned a gasp and hid behind Alistair. "Oh, sorry. I forgot people in your job usually retire quietly. You don't want to be known."

Alistair's face darkened. He gave me a questioning frown. "She must have you mixed up."

Lina stuck out her tongue. "Yes, my bad! A classy fiance like you couldn't be one of those click - chasing girls."

We'd met before.

She was in the hospital where I worked after an... injury while working at a foreign high - end brothel.

I was the doctor who stitched her. I wondered if she was still on the HIV meds I prescribed.

Alistair and I were the main event. Every eye in the room was on us. After Linas little performance, a hush fell over the grand ballroom. Guests shot me amused, speculative glances, their whispers dying on their lips.

A mutual friend of ours quickly stepped in to smooth things over. Dont be ridiculous. Genevieve was studying medicine in Berlin. The academic pressure is insane. Where would she find the time for that kind of nonsense?

Lina, her face a carefully crafted mask of innocent allure, pouted. But isnt it true that intellectuals under a lot of pressure need unique ways to unwind? Besides, she added, her eyes glinting, Mr. Finch is so successful now. And the fiances family isnt wealthy. Its only natural shed want to find an easy way to earn a dowry, lying on her back.

My champagne flute hit the table with a sharp crack. I rose, my face a cold mask, and advanced on her. Youd better have proof for claims like that. Otherwise, my lawyer will be in touch.

Lina flinched, theatrically covering her mouth. Girls help girls! Okay, okay, Ill stop.

Alistairs jaw was tight. He forcefully pulled me back, stepping between us to shield Lina behind him. Thats enough. Youre a grown woman. Why are you picking on a young girl whos just starting out in the world?

A nerve pulsed in my temple. I stared at the man I had loved for a decade, a chasm of disbelief opening within me. He seemed to realize what hed just said, pressing his lips into a thin line and saying no more.

But Lina, as if deeply wounded, let her eyes well up with tears. Im sorry, she murmured, her voice thick with fake remorse. Its my fault for meddling. Anyway, Mr. Finch is so rich now, Im sure his fiance wont have to go back to her old job. Just pretend I was mistaken.

The tide in the room had turned. The guests who had come to offer blessings now stared at me with undisguised contempt. They whispered behind their hands, laughing. Some even pulled out their phones, no doubt searching for the content shed mentioned.

Alistair's aunt, her hair a cloud of tight curls, grabbed his mothers arm with a stage whisper that carried across the room. My, my, your family is certainly open-minded, accepting a daughter-in-law with so much experience. You were just telling me how proud you were of her, studying abroad all on her own, refusing your money. Turns out she just had to lie back and open her legs to make a fortune in foreign currency. No wonder she didnt need your pocket change.

2

Alistairs mother trembled with rage, her face burning with a humiliation so intense it seemed to radiate heat. She was a woman who had carried herself with grace her entire life; I doubt she had ever been so publicly shamed.

Genevieve, she began, her voice strained, I know a long-distance relationship with Alistair was difficult, but you cant have

I knew words wouldnt fix this.

I pulled out my phone and started dialing 911.

Id only pressed the first two nines when Alistair snatched the phone from my hand. Dont make a scene. Its supposed to be a happy day. I believe you, okay? Is that enough? he hissed. The ceremony is about to start. Calling the police over something so trivial is just bad luck.

Disappointment washed over me, a cold wave that left my head ringing. For the past year, ever since Lina had appeared, Id felt a subtle distance growing between us. Hed barely shown any concern when I was in a minor car accident in Berlin. Id told myself it was normal for passion to cool after so long. But now, seeing him shield her, I feared the person he wanted to protect was no longer me.

Are you worried the police will bring bad luck to our engagement, I asked, my voice dangerously quiet, or are you afraid theyll arrest your little liar? I fought to keep the tremor of betrayal out of my voice and shook off his hand as he tried to grab me again.

Genevieve, I

Before he could finish, Lina burst into loud, theatrical sobs. Im sorry, its all my fault, boohoo Fiance, please dont fight with Mr. Finch. All his business partners are here! If you cause a scene, how will he face his clients? she wailed. I was wrong, okay! I made it all up!

I almost laughed at the sheer audacity. She was a master of feigned retreat. With her carefully chosen, ambiguous words, she had convinced everyone in this room that Id been a prostitute in a foreign country. If I didnt clear my name now, would Alistair have any "face" left when he stepped out with a wife everyone believed was a whore?

I clenched my jaw and forced a chilling smile. I dont care what your motives are for this little drama. You are going to tell everyone the truth, right now. Or I swear, you will regret it.

Linas face went white. She began to sob even harder, her body wracked with performative grief. I already said I was mistaken! What more do you want from me? The account of that online performer has been deleted anyway. I wont show anyone the videos I downloaded, I promise! Please, please dont use your power as the future bosss wife to get me fired she pleaded. Do you want me to kneel? Ill kneel and beg for your forgiveness!

And with that, she started to buckle at the knees, ready to prostrate herself on the floor.

But before she could, a strong arm caught her.

Alistair shoved me aside, sending me stumbling. His face was a thunderous mask of fury, and the look he gave me was laced with pure venom. Genevieve, have you not had enough? he snarled. I have been patient, but this is too much. Even if you made a mistake and filmed those videos, I was willing to turn a blind eye and move past it! Why do you have to be so relentless? Why must you bully her like this?

The world tilted. My heart seized, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. This man, the man who had been a third of my life, the man who, just an hour ago, had sworn to love me until our hair turned gray, didn't believe me.

What, then, was the point of any of this?

If we cant sort this out here, then well sort it out at the police station, I said, my voice flat. I reached past him to grab Lina.

She shrieked like a frightened rabbit about to be slaughtered, thrashing wildly. Alistair! Alistair, save me! I think she wants to kill me!

I ignored her hysterics, my grip tightening as I started to drag her toward the exit.

Alistair pried at my fingers. When I wouldn't let go, he swung his arm back.

A sharp, ringing CRACK echoed through the room.

The noisy ballroom fell instantly silent.

3

A searing, numbing pain exploded across my cheek. It felt like a thousand needles pricking my skin, and a loud ringing filled my right ear.

Alistair seemed stunned by his own action. He stared at his hand, frozen.

Ha! A bitter, hopeless laugh escaped my lips. I licked the coppery taste of blood from the corner of my mouth and took a step toward him.

Like a mother hen protecting her chick, Lina threw herself in front of Alistair, her body a shield. She looked ready to die for him. What do you think youre doing? So what if he hit you? Youre the one who was unfaithful first, you filthy slut!

Watching her self-sacrificing act, a profound exhaustion washed over me.

You keep saying I made indecent videos for the internet, I said, my voice level despite the storm inside me. Where is your evidence? Or do you think you can just ruin a persons life with nothing but lies?

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

She has a point. You cant just take one persons word for it.

Lina bit her lip, looking like a delicate flower braving a storm. Fine, she declared. You forced me to do this!

She took out her phone and connected it to the large screen behind the stage. The slideshow of my happy photos with Alistair was instantly replaced by a graphic, deeply disturbing video.

On the screen, a woman was entwined with a large, muscular man. Her face, thrown back in a state of ecstasy, was a mask of pleasure and abandon.

And that face, displayed in high definition for everyone to see, was mine.

The ballroom erupted.

Mothers covered their childrens eyes. Men stared, their jaws slack. Others scrambled to record the scene on their phones.

Holy hell! Shes wild!

Tsk, tsk. Look at the way she moves her hips.

Who wouldve thought? She looks so prim and proper, but shes a total degenerate in private.

Studying medicine abroad? More like studying how many men she could climb into bed with.

The things shes doing Can she ever be satisfied with just one man after this?

The comments were a filthy, relentless tide, each one a fresh stab of humiliation.

Alistairs face had gone a sickly shade of green. His mother looked as if she were about to faint, but she found the strength to stumble toward me, beating at my dress with her fists. I pitied you for being an orphan! I treated you like my own daughter! How could you be so shameless? How could you do this to my son!

Lina clung to Alistairs arm, her body shaking with sobs. Mr. Finch, I just couldnt bear to see you deceived by this this used-up trash thats been passed around by other men! Youve been so good to me. I dont care if you fire me for this. I had to tell you!

I folded my arms, a cold, humorless smile touching my lips. Passed around by other men? I dont think anyone knows that feeling better than you do, Lina.

4

A violent tremor ran through Lina. Her eyes darted away, unable to meet my gaze as she burrowed deeper into Alistairs embrace.

That was the final straw for Alistair. His control snapped.

He pulled Lina into a protective hug, his eyes blazing with crimson fury. Genevieve! When are you going to stop humiliating her? You are the one who is shameless! Youre filthy, disgusting! Do you think everyone is as dirty as you are?

His chest heaved, his voice cracking with a pain he couldnt conceal. Ten years! For ten years, I treated you like a precious, untouchable star. I wouldnt even lay a hand on you because I thought you were so pure, so perfect! And what did you treat me as?

I looked at his contorted face and let out a desolate laugh. An untouchable star? Alistair, if you ever truly valued me, why didnt you believe a single word I said? You didnt even bother to question if the video was real. You just decided I was dirty. Did it never once cross your mind that it could be an AI deepfake?

Linas shriek cut through the air. He put you on a pedestal, and this is how you repay him? The proof is right there for everyone to see! Are you saying he should lie to himself and pretend its not real?

I was done talking to her.

I strode forward and grabbed her wrist. Lina, verbal slander might get you a lawsuit. But creating and distributing a deepfake pornographic video of someone? Thats a felony. Youll be facing prison time. My voice was low and menacing. You want to play with fire? Ill make sure you get burned.

Her face turned ashen. She clutched her stomach and screamed. Ah! My stomach Dont push me!

She threw herself backward, crashing violently into the towering pyramid of champagne glasses behind her.

CRASH!

The elegant crystal tower imploded in a shower of glass and golden liquid.

Lina! Alistair roared, his eyes wild with panic. He dove to protect her, then whirled around and shoved me with all his might.

Caught off guard, I fell hard. Sharp shards of glass bit deep into my palm, and blood welled up instantly, staining my white dress.

Alistairs gaze flickered to my bleeding hand, a flash of pity in his eyes. But it vanished as quickly as it came. He turned his face away, his voice colder and harder than ever.

Stop the act! Genevieve, I was blind to ever love you. You make me sick, he spat. Dont think for a second I cant live without you. There are plenty of women who would cherish me! Im done with you. Get out.

The voices of the crowd swirled around me, a chorus of scorn.

We always knew she was no good. Now her true colors are showing.

Mr. Finch did the right thing. A whore like that would have shamed his family for generations.

Serves her right for being such a slut!

Alistairs mother closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they held nothing but exhaustion and bitter disappointment. She shook her head slowly, turned, and walked back to her seat, not even offering me a hand.

A hotel manager approached Alistair cautiously. Mr. Finch, shall I still have the officiant proceed with the engagement ceremony?

Yes! Why wouldnt we? Alistair bellowed, a desperate, defiant edge to his voice. He grabbed Linas hand and pulled her to her feet, announcing to the entire room, Today, Lina and I are getting engaged!

Linas eyes widened in disbelief, her shock quickly melting into delirious joy. She nestled against Alistair, her soft sobs just loud enough for those nearby to hear. Mr. Finch are you really willing to give me, and the baby in my belly, a proper place by your side?

My blood ran cold. I stared at him, stunned. You you slept with her? Shes pregnant?

Alistairs jaw tightened. Yes! So what? You were allowed to screw around in a foreign country, but Im not allowed to find a clean woman? He wrapped his arm tighter around Lina, right in front of me. At least Lina is clean! Shes a thousand times more pure than you!

He pointed at two security guards by the door. Get this filth out of here. I dont want her tainting my engagement party with Lina!

The guards moved toward me.

As they grabbed my arms, I lifted my head and looked directly at Alistair, a grim smile on my face.

Alistair, before you throw me out, I have one last question for you. I gestured toward the smug, triumphant Lina.

Do you know she has HIV?

The words dropped into the room like a bomb. Absolute, deafening silence.