Chapter 108

Annie's POV

The tension in the air had become almost palpable outside Howard Technologies. Betty Baker's expression had transformed from arrogant confidence to growing fear. Her question-"What can the police do to me?"-hung in the air between us.

I maintained eye contact with her while continuing my conversation with the police operator. "Yes, she's been harassing me at my workplace,spreading false accusations, and damaging my professional reputation."

Betty's composure crumbled further, her perfectly manicured finger trembling slightly as she pointed at me. "This is absurd! If anyone's reputation has been damaged, it should be Sarah's!"

The crowd of onlookers began murmuring among themselves. Any sympathy they might have had for Betty had completely evaporated after seeing the video evidence of her past behavior.

"Normally, police might not get involved for mere verbal insults," I explained calmly to the onlookers, "but I'm now considered something of a public figure. Her defamation could easily impact the sales of my products."

I glanced meaningfully at the prominent Howard Technologies logo displayed on the building behind me."And she hasn't just insulted me;she's disparaged Howard Technologies as well. The impact of her actions is quite substantial."

Betty's face grew even paler as the severity of her situation finally seemed to dawn on her. The police wouldn't simply dismiss this as a family

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"You're overreacting." Betty attempted to appear unconcerned, but her voice had lost its earlier confidence. "This is a private matter between family members."

"Former family members," I corrected her again, my voice quiet but firm."And you brought your accusations to my workplace, which makes it a public matter."

Several members of the crowd nodded in agreement, their eyes shifting between Betty and me.

"I've been nothing but respectful to Sarah," I continued. "Even when she deliberately provoked me, I only defended myself. Yet here you are,trying to intimidate me at my workplace."

Betty's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression hardening as she realized she was losing control of the situation. "Philip was right about you.You're petty and ungrateful!"

I felt a flicker of old pain at her words, but it quickly faded. That particular barb had lost its power over me. "I'm simply protecting myself and my work from your baseless accusations."

Catherine Morgan stepped forward, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder."From what I've seen today, Mrs. Baker, you're the one being petty. Annie has shown remarkable restraint."

Betty shot Catherine a venomous glare but seemed to recognize that she was rapidly losing ground with the crowd.

Thirty minutes later, two police officers arrived promptly. I submitted the evidence I had compiled-not just the videos but also documented records

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of Betty's public accusations. The officers' expressions remained professional and serious as they reviewed the materials.

"Mrs. Baker, we'll need you to come with us to provide a statement," the taller officer said to Betty, whose aristocratic demeanor had completely collapsed by this point.

"This is ridiculous! I haven't done anything wrong!" Betty protested, but her voice lacked conviction. The evidence was too damning, the witnesses too numerous.

When the officers attempted to escort her to the police car, Betty began to struggle. "You can't do this to me! Do you know who my family is?"

The officers remained unmoved by her protests. "Ma'am, please don't make this more complicated than it needs to be."

"This is all your fault," Betty hissed at me, her eyes narrowing with hatred."Philip was right-you're petty and ungrateful!"

I simply watched as the police led her away, feeling neither victorious nor satisfied-just a quiet sense of relief. The cycle of harassment had to end.

As Betty was escorted to the police car, I turned to the remaining onlookers and said, "You've all seen that I didn't instigate any of this. If I truly still had feelings for her son, I would never have allowed his mother to be taken to the police station."

I took a deep breath before continuing, "Besides, I'm in a new relationship now.We're very happy together."

Catherine Morgan, who had been standing supportively by my side throughout the ordeal, shook her head in disbelief. "How can someone be so shameless? You've been completely separated from her son for ages,yet

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she comes to your workplaceto harass you and cause trouble over Sarah's issues? And she expects you to accommodate her daughter-in-law? On what grounds?"

"I honestly don't know," I replied with a shrug.

Catherine seemed eager to continue our conversation, but her expression suddenly changed as she glanced over my shoulder. She quickly crouched down, using the crowd as cover, and began to slip away.

"If Howard asks if you've seen me," she whispered hurriedly, "remember to say you haven't!"

I couldn't help but smile. "Alright."

"What happened here?" Howard's deep voice came from behind me moments later as he stood beside me, his expression concerned.

I was genuinely surprised to see him come down personally. "The usual,"I sighed, explaining. "Sarah received criticism online for her behavior,blamed me for it, and first tried to get Philip to defend her."

"When that failed, shecomplained to her mother-in-law."

Howard raised an eyebrow, silently encouraging me to continue.

"Fortunately, I was prepared," I went on. "I showed everyone evidence of Sarah's provocations... but Betty wasn't satisfied and continued to insult me quite viciously. So I called the police."

Howard gently stroked my head, his touch reassuring. "As long as you weren't hurt."

I smiled up at him, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Don't

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worry, I'm quite clever about these things."

A bystander who had witnessed our interaction approached curiously. "Is he your boyfriend?"

I glanced at Howard, uncertain how he wanted to handle this public inquiry about our relationship.

Howard answered without hesitation: "Yes, I am."

This revelation sent ripples of surprise through the remaining crowd.

"Her current boyfriend is actually Mr. Thompson?" someone whispered loudly.

"He's so much better than her ex-husband!" another voice chimed in.

"Absolutely! Mr. Thompson is successful with an excellent reputation."

"Her ex-husband cheated on her and was stingy with her!"

"Only a fool would still pine for such an ex-husband!"

After considerable discussion, the crowd seemed to reach a consensus.

"That old lady had the nerve to claim she still loves her ex-husband?"

"Was she deliberately trying to make us all look like fools?"

As the buzz of the crowd gradually faded behind us, Howard and I returned to his office.

"Sarah is the one who's truly at fault," I mused, leaning against his desk."

Yet when she complains to others, she completely reverses the facts."

"I'm genuinely amazed at her ability to lie so blatantly with a straight face."

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Howard took my hand, his expression thoughtful. "Have you considered that this might be her strategy? That she's deliberately trying to make your life difficult?"

I looked at him, puzzled. "Why would she target me if she doesn't have genuine grievances?"

"Your illustrations are becoming increasingly successful," Howard explained. "She might be envious of you."

His fingers tightened slightly around mine. "She may be attempting to disrupt your peace of mind, keep you constantly frustrated, unable to focus on your work."

"That way,you couldn't earn your own income and would be forced to depend on a man, just like her."

My expression grew serious as I considered his words. "That's quite malicious,isn't it?"

"I absolutely won't let her succeed," I declared with determination. "If she wants me angry and miserable, I'll deliberately be especially happy every day."

Howard nodded approvingly. "Once you understandI her objective, her tactics become transparent."

"If my assessment is correct," he added, "she's probably chatting with Robert right now, who she thinks is me. And I can guess the content-disparaging you while presenting herself in the best light."