Renee was speechless. Once again, she had become the prime target of spite.

�Hey,� she pointed at Cecilia. "Say it clearly. Don�t just leave things hanging! What do you mean you don�t want to pursue the matter? What do you mean it was an accident? What did I ever do to you? Why insinuate something like that about me?"

Cecilia was so shocked that she stepped back to dodge Renee. The fact that she had just returned from the brink of death made her seem that much more pitiful. With tears streaming, she begged Renee, �Please don�t get so mad, Ms. Everheart. We both know what you did, but I really don�t want to pursue this. Just� just pretend I slipped and fell into the water myself, and we�ll leave it at that.�

But this only made Renee angrier than before. Like an uninhibited beast, she charged at Cecilia, grabbing her arm so violently she almost ripped it off. "Speak clearly, won�t you?� she demanded. �What did you mean? just pretend that you slipped?� If you want to accuse me of pushing you into the sea, just say it, won�t you? That way, I can sue you for defamation. Stop acting all pure and innocent! You�ve already launched your attack! There�s no point trying to look like the poor innocent victim!�

Renee realized how wrong she had been about Cecilia. Back then, when she received the necklace from her, Renee had assumed that Cecilia was a smart woman with a big heart, wise enough not to lose her mind for a douchebag.

But now it was clear that she didn�t only lose her mind-she even lost her conscience!

"Please, Ms. Everheart! I beg you to not make it any harder for me. I told you that I don�t want to pursue the matter� Fine. I�ll say it! Nothing that happened to me has anything to do with you� so, everyone, please just drop the matter!"

With teary eyes, Cecilia clutched her mother�s hand. �Mom, I feel so dizzy. I feel really unwell. I really need to lie down!" �You�ve been immersed for so long that you almost drowned, darling! Of course, you�d feel unwell! I�m taking you to the hospital right away!"

Cecilia�s mother then turned to Christopher. �Take your bride to the hospital, Chris, and hurry up, will you? If she stays for a moment longer, I fear someone might beat her to death!�

�Of course,� Christopher replied. �But I�d like to take the opportunity to publicly announce that the wedding between Cecilia Smith and I has been canceled. Our relationship as a couple ends today as well. I deeply apologize for dragging everyone into this mess and wasting your time today, but rest assured, you will be fully compensated by my family and I.�

This threw the crowd into an uproar.

Xavier was flustered and anxiously tried to help save Christopher�s situation. �What the hell are you talking about Chris? Are you seriously canceling the wedding and breaking up with Cecy right now? Don�t you think that�s a bit too cruel? Tell me it�s not true. Tell me you�re just joking to lighten up the atmosphere.�

But Christopher said nothing in reply. He picked Cecilia up in his arms and carried her away.

The crowd followed closely behind them before dispersing, ignoring everything that had just happened.

In the end, only Stefan, Renee, and the celebrity Ruby Chisholm were left on the beach.

�Ms. Everheart,� Ruby said in a contrived voice, �I was only speaking the truth just now. You don�t blame me, do you?"

�You borrowed someone else�s hand to attack your real target,� Renee sneered. �Pretty impressive, I must say. Your intention to eliminate me is plain to see, Miss Chisholm. You must be overjoyed with your success right now. But I do wonder� there have never been any grievances between you and me, so why do you keep trying to bring me down, time and time again?�

"Ms. Everheart!� Ruby clutched her chest, her face a picture of innocence.�"What have I done for you to so viciously sling mud at me? It was a matter of life and death! You�re not actually blaming me for telling the truth, are you?�

Renee could see through her sham from a mile away. Hence, she held nothing back and bluntly exposed her. �Don�t forget that you�re a public figure yourself, Miss Chisholm. So if you�re interested in my ex-husband, you should just pluck up your courage and boldly pursue him. There�s no point in wasting your time with these insidious tricks and schemes. Instead of trying to get rid of me, why don�t you surpass me by using your own strengths?�

Renee then looked Ruby up and down, then smirked. �You have a nice figure, you know, especially that slim waist of yours. Our Mr. Hunt here has a fetish for tiny waists. If you display your assets a little more often, you might be stronger than any rival blocking your way!� JrNovels.com