The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 275 No Worries

"Shut up!" Isla yelled, frustrated at the people around them. Autumn continued to be the subject of much gossip, reminding Isla of the time when her friend had been maligned. "I can't believe all of you! How can you slander her name without even knowing what really happened?" she exclaimed, disappointed to hear people spread rumors about Autumn without even knowing the truth. Gossip continues to fill the atmosphere as Isla's words fell into deaf ears.

"I've once heard that there's something wrong with her. It turned out to be true. I wonder why a wealthy man such as Mr. Lu continue to stay with her, " someone murmured.

"You're absolutely right. I think Mr. Lu would be extremely angry if he knew that his wife has been having an affair," another person responded in return.

A rumor had been spreading that Autumn had been cheating on her husband behind his back. They speculated that Charles would have already dumped her if he knew what was going on. Autumn felt extremely defeated with what she heard.

"You know what? Your manager is good for nothing except when it comes to seducing someone. My son, who was at a very young age at that time, even became a victim himself! Who knows what she might have done if we hadn't moved overseas? Look at her now. She still hasn't stopped pining over him after so many years, " Jane said, accusing her of misconduct.

"Tell us, what would it take for you to finally stop this nonsense? Why can't you just leave us alone?!"

Autumn tried her best to defend herself even while dumbfounded. "Aunt Jane, you should know that those are all lies. How many times should I tell you that I haven't done any of that?"

Despite being true to her words, Jane refused to hear anything that she had to say. How could she bring herself to believe Autumn when even Wendy, her own mother, accused her of having a love affair with her son? She even saw with her very own eyes that Sam hugged Autumn just a few days ago.

"You keep saying that Autumn seduced your son. Well, why don't you prove it?

If you fail to give any evidence, I'll make sure to call the police to arrest you,

Isla said in an attempt to threaten her.

Jane burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Do you want the evidence? You're looking at her right now!" she exclaimed.

"I saw her hug my son as they went shopping just a few days ago! If that's the evidence you're asking for?" Jane said. She turned her back as soon as she saw Autumn frown, seemingly thinking about what she just said.

With her conviction, Isla almost believed her words until she saw her friend's sour expression.

'Jane was definitely talking about the day Chris and I went to buy the scarf.' Autumn thought to herself, recalling the time when Sam accidentally pulled her into him so she can avoid the speeding truck. Chris was using the bathroom at that time so she wasn't able to witness anything. She couldn't believe such a simple event had become the cause of their misunderstanding.

"Aunt Jane, I swear it is not how it looks --" Autumn said, trying to explain herself only to be interrupted. "Just answer my question. Is it true that you hugged my son?"

"Yes, but..." she said, not even planning to deny the fact that such gesture really happened.

She desperately wanted to explain the context behind that hug. Unfortunately, Jane was too angry to listen to anything that she has to say.

"See? She said it herself!" Jane excitedly exclaimed, glad that she was able to make her confess.

"I thought you were really worthy of respect. I shouldn't have given you my trust. You really are a home wrecker, aren't you? You even slept with a man to get your promotion!"

Dissatisfied with being dismissed by Autumn, Ryan couldn't help but sneer at Autumn. "I knew it! I shouldn't have sold the company! Why don't you all resign and look for another job? We don't want you to be a part of our company anymore." he said, clearly annoyed.

"Who are you? Are you saying you're the owner of the company?"

Jane asked, looking at Ryan as if he's a messiah who will fix all of their problems.

"I'll let you handle this matter since she's your employee. In case you need my help, just tell me anything I have to do and I promise I'll do it," she said, holding his hand firmly.

Ryan coughed, unsure how to respond.

"Madam, I want to apologize in advance. But Autumn has been a good employee as far as I'm concerned.

I can't just outright interfere her with her private life. I would have discharged her in the past, but now......"

"What do you mean? Are you saying you can't fire her?!" Jane paused, collecting her thoughts.

"What's the use of being her boss if you can't do such a thing? You're just as useless!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

"What did you just say?!"

Ryan yelled as the words of Jane making his blood boil. This eventually led him to yell at Autumn, "I've told you before. You will not have a good ending." Unable to suppress his rage any longer, Ryan had no choice but to leave.

Autumn couldn't help but sigh after seeing what happened. Thinking that this was the best time, she decided to confront Jane. "Aunt, I know that you've always looked down on me. You even thought I wasn't a suitable candidate to be Sam's wife. But you know what? I haven't been with Sam. In fact, I have neither no intention to be with him nor will I ever. Please remember that."

"Easy for you to say that," Jane said in return, laughing grimly.

"Dear, action speaks louder than words. I've seen it with my own eyes and you've admitted it yourself. So who are you kidding here?" she asked as she further continued.

"Let me make this easier for you. How much money do you need? Just tell me anything you want just as long as you'll promise to leave my son," Jane said, offering monetary bribes.

She knew that Autumn lived with her grandmother, aware of the fact that they had always been poor since she was just a child.

"Just like what I said, I'll give you everything you want. You just have to promise that you'll stick to your word."

"What promise are you talking about?"

Before any of them could even say anything, Charles suddenly came in to view, looking sharp in a black handmade suit.

The crowd went silent as he stood, making his presence known. With an expressionless face, he scanned the room to look for Autumn.

He found her at the corner of the room, standing like a deer in the headlights. With her pale face and chapped lips, he looked at her closely, seeing how she tried hard to compose herself with demeanor.

Too ashamed to face him, Autumn failed to meet his gaze. She didn't think she'd be able to defend herself, terribly afraid that Charles might misunderstand her relationship with Sam.

He walked through the crowd, standing beside her. "It's alright. Don't worry, I'm always on your side," he whispered as she melted in his warm embrace.