Sensing my thoughts, Sean quickly spoke, his tone laced with urgency, afraid I might misunderstand.
"Marie, don’t overthink this. After Alden’s passing, Mandy has been feeling restless and needed some fresh air."
"I happened to run into her, so I invited her to the company for a cup of coffee."
"I was just about to send her back."
If this had happened in the past, I would have lost my temper and started a fight with Sean.
But now, I swallowed my pain, forcing a smile.
"It doesn’t matter. We’re all family. You should take care of her. Don’t worry—I won’t be upset."
At my words, Sean visibly relaxed, letting out a quiet breath of relief.
I turned to leave, but before I could step away, a group of employees coming downstairs for a meeting caught sight of me.
They whispered among themselves, their words slicing through me like a blade.
"Isn’t that Mr. Hoffman’s wife? Did you see the video? She was raped by more than a dozen men for an entire day and night. No wonder the baby didn’t make it."
"I saw it too. But what I don’t get is—if they wanted money, the Hoffman Group could have given them as much as they wanted."
"If you ask me, maybe she was just looking for excitement and got tangled up with the wrong crowd."
"That sounds about right. What a shame though. Mr. Hoffman’s own wife, reduced to a scandal like this, and now she’s here handling damage control."
Their murmurs echoed in my ears, sharp and merciless, making my body go weak.
I felt myself sway, about to collapse.
But before I could hit the ground, Sean caught me, pulling me into his arms. His voice was laced with fury.
"All of you, listen up—fire every single person who dared to gossip just now!"
"From this moment on, if I hear anyone spreading rumors about my wife, you’ll all be packing your things and leaving!"
Sean rarely loses his temper.
The last time I had seen him this anger was during my pregnancy—when my morning sickness had been so severe that I could barely eat.
He had nearly torn apart the hospital in frustration and even went on a hunger strike with me for three days until he almost passed out.
Back then, I had been deeply moved by his devotion.
But now, watching his veins bulge in anger, I felt nothing.
Because to make room for Mandy and her son,
He orchestrated the destruction of my dignity, had me violated, stripped me of my ability to bear children,
and ensured I would forever be the target of public scorn.