She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 474

One of the employees let out a heavy sigh. "I knew she was unhinged the moment she barged in here cursing at Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild is so sweet and keeps to herself. I can't believe someone would viciously slander her like that."

"Thank God she was out of the country, or she would have been devastated."

Someone scoffed. "Elara has some nerve! Making up vile rumors with zero proof."

"Well, she got what she deserved. I heard it wasn't just a slap on the wrist or an account ban. They took her straight to court for defamation. She actually got prison time!"

The group collectively gasped.

"Oh my god! Karma is real."

The whispers in the breakroom gradually faded. Caleb had heard enough and quietly stepped away.

He knew Rowan was behind this—acting with ruthless precision to obliterate anyone who dared to drag Lyra's name through the mud.

Two weeks later, Lyra finally returned to Seaborne City. The moment she stepped off the plane, a bitter chill bit through her clothes; the temperature had plummeted.

The car pulled up to the estate. She stepped out, pulling a sleek carry-on behind her. Mrs. Whittaker practically sprinted over to take it from her hands.

"Thank you," Lyra said softly.

Mrs. Whittaker beamed. "It's my pleasure, Miss Fairchild."

After settling in, Lyra checked on her mother and spent a blissful hour playing with her niece and nephew.

When Caleb got home, he immediately tracked her down. "Since you're back, let's grab dinner with Rowan tomorrow. He pulled some serious strings to help us out of a massive legal mess at the company."

Lyra rejected the idea without a second thought. "I'm not going."

"It'll be weird if it's just the two of us staring at each other across a table," Caleb complained.

Lyra shook her head, offering an easy excuse. "I already have plans with Maddie tomorrow."

"Then invite her and Leo to tag along. The more, the merrier."

Lyra frowned, clearly agitated. "Caleb, I really don't want to go."

Lyra just wanted to drag her home.

But Maddie was spiraling, sobbing about how Vance Real Estate was on the brink of collapse.

Her parents had constantly belittled her, wishing they had a son instead of a useless daughter, which sparked a screaming match before she stormed out.

It was the classic tragedy of high-society family drama.

"Lyra, just marry Rowan already. Make your powerful husband save my family's company," Maddie slurred.

"You're wasted." Lyra hooked an arm around Maddie and hoisted her toward the exit.

If Maddie simply walked away from her toxic family, her massive payouts from the three blockbuster films she invested in would keep her living in luxury for the rest of her life.

Suddenly, a prickly sensation crawled up Lyra's spine. She felt eyes burning into her. Glancing around, she spotted a group of rough-looking men loitering near the VIP booths. A spike of pure panic hit her. She ducked her head, shielded Maddie, and practically ran out of the club.

She shoved Maddie into the car and drove her straight home.