Goodbye, My Love

Chapter 10---I'm a Bad Woman

Xavier had a background in painting before his debut. At seventeen, he was exceptionally admitted to the Cultura Institute. By nineteen, he had won third place at the Prisma Award with his painting "Dawn Echo," gaining international recognition. For years, no other Chinese artist made it onto the Prisma Award shortlist.

Despite his talent, Xavier treated painting as a hobby. At twenty, he was scouted by Wendy Taylor and entered the entertainment industry. Even after graduating last year, one of his artworks was again shortlisted for the Prisma Award, shocking both the entertainment and art worlds.

Xavier's earlier critique of Elena Peterson was spot-on.

Elena had approached Xavier for a collaboration—not only for his exposure and popularity but also to elevate her own status by association. However, Xavier declined, leaving her plans in ruins.

Initially, the public assumed Xavier was simply too busy. But now, after he publicly stated that her artwork was subpar, viewers watching the live stream erupted—especially his fans.

Wendy was delighted with the outcome. Watching the flood of comments on the live broadcast, she couldn't help but smile.

At some point, the car had stopped. Xavier was now glancing at her from the side.

Wendy raised an eyebrow, unbuckling her seatbelt as she sighed, "I'm truly a wicked woman."

Xavier smirked. "I like wicked women."

"Don't flirt with me."

She stepped out of the car and said, "Thanks. You've done your job today—go report back."

"Won't Sis. Jenkins treat me to dinner?"

Without turning back, Wendy said, "I can't cook. See you."

With that, she closed the gate of the villa behind her.

Xavier watched for a moment before driving away.

Elena had invited Mr. Cook as a guest at her exhibition and arranged for full media coverage. Her original plan was to use online trolls to stir up romantic rumors between her and Mr. Cook, binding them together in the public eye.

Secretly, she also intended to undermine Madeline Cook. Once she married Mr. Cook, she wouldn't be labeled a homewrecker—on the contrary, she might even plant stories later to portray Madeline as delusional and unworthy.

But Madeline and Xavier's appearance disrupted all her plans. Before she could even launch a PR response, Xavier's criticism had already triggered a wave of online backlash against her.

That alone would've been bad enough. But worse, people actually started praising Madeline—saying her looks weren't so mismatched with Mr. Cook after all.

Some even noted that in the livestream, Madeline hadn't spared a single glance for her ex-husband, while Mr. Cook kept staring at her. Her demeanor screamed, "The past is dead, I'll never look back"—cool, untouchable, magnetic.

Elena, who had planned to belittle Madeline: "???"

The fallout from Xavier's critique spread rapidly—clearly orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.

Public speculation ran wild. Within hours, netizens had already crafted a full-blown, melodramatic tale of a love triangle among the elite.

In this imagined drama, Madeline was the victim, while Mr. Cook and Elena the Lotus were the immoral couple.

Now the entire internet believed Madeline had divorced Mr. Cook after catching him cheating, using the evidence to secure a hefty settlement before walking away with dignity, making way for the new couple.

And the mastermind behind this campaign? None other than Wendy Taylor.

Madeline, seeing the trending topics, felt a bit uneasy. "Isn't this going a bit too far?"

Wendy, lounging on the sofa, immediately protested: "Too far? Tell me, during the three years you were married to Mr. Cook, how many times did you actually see him? How many times did you see Elena the Lotus?"

Madeline paused, the truth stinging.

She had seen Mr. Cook fewer than ten times in three years—three of those during family banquets at the Cook estate.

Meanwhile, Grace Cook had reported to her that Mr. Cook had traveled on business eighteen times, eight of which coincided with meetings with Elena the Lotus—not to mention gatherings for the Peterson family birthdays, company anniversaries, and other occasions.

Seeing Madeline fall silent, Wendy knew she'd struck home. "And don't forget—before your divorce, they spent an entire night together in a hotel, just the two of them. I can't swallow that. Can you?"

"If we hadn't struck first, the internet would be attacking you right now. Do you really think someone as poisonous as Elena the Lotus would let you go? We must show no mercy to our enemies!"

Wendy saw Madeline still, frustrated. "Come on, Maddie. After all I've said, are you actually feeling guilty? Did I not deliver the final blow? Or is your wound not deep enough?"

Madeline's eyes flickered. "I was just looking for the photos of them in that hotel room."

She pointed at Wendy's phone, which had just buzzed. "There. I've already sent them to you. Release them at the right moment."

"Perfect!"

Wendy downloaded the photos. As she opened them, fury flared. "When were these taken?"

"About seven months ago."

The images weren't particularly scandalous—just Elena and Mr. Cook in bathrobes, suggestive enough to spark speculation.

And these photos hadn't come from a leak. Elena the Lotus had sent them to Madeline herself.

Madeline believed Mr. Cook still had some, but at the time, Elena the Lotus—a mistress still unsure of her status—had sent these photos with such arrogance. Looking back, that pride was hard to swallow.

Since she so wanted to be the other woman, why not grant her that title?

Wendy was furious. "I'll have my team publish this immediately! So Mr. Cook really did cheat! That tainted money isn't worth picking up. Don't you dare look back!"

"…I don't need the money either."

Wendy groaned. "I do. Can you spare some?"

Madeline glanced at her. "Sell the bags and shoes in your closet. Then you won't be short."

"You wicked woman!"

Madeline nodded, lowering her eyes with a faint, teasing smile. "Yes, I'm a wicked woman. Don't fall for me—it won't end well."

"…"

For some reason, Wendy felt her recently divorced friend was too damn intimidating. And maybe—just maybe—she was starting to feel a little… smitten.

Anyone online? I'm freaking out right now!