A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 271

Under the scrutiny of the camera, Matilda's smile was tepid, her eyes indifferent. Suddenly, the onlookers felt an unsettling twinge of guilt.

What if... what if it really wasn't Matilda? What kind of sinister motives did the person they had been egging on possess?

Baxter handed the microphone to Matilda. As she took it, a hush fell over the crowd.

"Good evening, everyone, I'm Matilda. And lately, I'm the one you've been tearing apart on the internet, the woman at the heart of the so-called 'scandal' you've all been talking about."

Photographers below began furiously snapping pictures.

"I know someone's been targeting me with this. I even asked friends in my circle to investigate those photos. They told me the photos are real, and yes, the woman in them does have a face similar to mine."

Everyone braced for her next words.

"I spent a long time trying to think of a way to prove that the woman in those photos isn't me, but to no avail. There's only one way to distinguish between her and me."

"Before I show you, I have something to say to all of you here," Matilda said, taking a deep breath. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a testament to her effort to remain composed. She had always been strong, even when faced with public condemnation, she held on to her dignity.

"I want you all to ask yourselves, have I, Matilda, done anything to deserve this? I've faced so much suppression, never before have I felt so acutely the malevolence of human nature! Today, by proving myself here, I'm laying out what little dignity I have left before you. I hope those of you who spread rumors and slander about me will take a hard look at yourselves. You all owe me an apology!"

Yvan arrived late, pushing through to the center of the venue, shouting, "Matilda!"

But it was too late.

Matilda turned her back to the crowd, her fingers slowly undoing the buttons at her chest. Then, as her dress slid to the floor, the tattoo of Yvan's name across her back came into stark view.