Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules Novel

Chapter 168 In the villa , Joycelyn sat cross legged on the carpet , watching the evening live broadleast while waiting for Ellison to return from work for dinner .

On the screen , Iris and Octavia were being interviewed by varios media outlets in the hospital ward .

In just one day , the two women had gained immense popularity and became internet sensations .

A reporter held up a recorder and probed with a question designed to exploit sensitive emotions .

He asked , Mrs.

Mercer , you mentioned that your daughter , Joycelyn , severed all ties with you after getting married , even blocking all your contact information .

She didnt even visit you when you were hospitalized and in critical condition .

Shes been cold hearted and cruel toward you , right ? Iris clutched her chest and cried bitterly , Yes , my daughter has always been sensible .

I was too strict with her when she was younger , never allowing her to date so she could focus on school .

Who could have known she would be deceived by an insurance alesman and cut off all contact with her family ? Just imagine Joycelyn , the daughter shed raised with such care , had grown up and married a man who sold insurance because of love and then had a falling out with her family .

When her mother was on the brink of death , Joycelyn couldnt care less .

Iris stepdaughter was far more filial and considerate than she had been .

Its often said that one should never marry someone their parents disapprove of .

Iriss description of Joycelyns actions had once again struck a nerve with many women .

Joycelyn lowered her eyes , scrolling through the comments section , reading even harsher criticisms of herself .

She was being called ungrateful , a love struck fool , and a total disappointment to women everywhere .

But weve learned from the hospital that your surgery fees were paid by your daughter .

She also paid for you to be moved to a private ward and even hired Zoe Jackson , a nurse , to take care of you , the reporter added .

Upon hearing this , Iris stopped crying , clearly caught off guard after being exposed by the reporter .

Octavia immediately stepped in with teary eyes and explained , We had to beg for that , too .

For my mothers sake , I was slapped by my sister .

It was posted online .

I was publicly humiliated in front of the Grant Group .

But for my mother , I have no complaints .

Octavia lowered her head , sobbing , her voice full of humility .

As tris stepdaughter , Octavia appeared far more considerate than Joycelyn , Iris biological daughter .

Joycelyn looked at the panic in her mothers eyes .

Then , she sent the secretly recorded video she had received without any hesitation .

Not long after it was uploaded , the voices of Iris and Octavia conspiring together became audible in the live broadcast .

Clavias comment about needing to teach Joycelyn a lesson for her to behave properly was particularly striking .

Though Iriss voice was soft when she agreed with Octavia , it was filled with bitterness .

Octavia immediately sensed something was wrong and grabbed reporters phone to look at it for a few seconds .

Realizing it was her , she immediately felt guilty but quickly shifted the narrative .

10:02 Wed , Feb 19 Chapter 168 She held the vidéo up to the cameras and explained , This vided is fake .

Joycelyn used her looks and her husbands job as an insurance salesperson to connect with some wealthy individuals This must be a video made by her sponsors to clear her name .

didnt expect her to be so vicious that she would frame her own mother ! Octavias words sparked another wave of controversy .

Zoe , who had been silently observing nearby , could no longer hold back her anger .

She pushed past the reporters hefty frame and approached Iris , holding up her phone for everyone to see , with her Zoe said .

I took this video .

Ive seen their true colors .

Your biological daughter not only paid for your medical expenses but also stayed by your side during surgery .

She even gave me an envelope with thousands of dollars to take care of you and buy you supplements .

This stepdaughter of yours only comes around when shes asking for money , either from you or from your biological daughter .

Are you still not satisfied ? Her current husbands two nephews are in the hospital and theyre too stingy to part with any money , so they made me take care of them too .

Theyre a pack of wolves and vultures .

If I were in her shoes , Id run away .

Id catch the first flight out of here any delay would be harmful to me .

These two are just pretentious and acting like theyre the victims Your family is full of leeches and you blame her for not taking care of you ? Pili ! Zoes words came out like rapid fire , and she didnt hold back .

Iris and Octavia were stunned by the harsh tirade .

The entire room fell silent .

Joycelyn , watching from home , felt little emotion in the face of her biological mothers slander .

But when she saw the nurse standing up for her , her eyes welled up with emotion .

Everyone else could see the truth , but her mother had chosen to ignore it , This is the woman Joycelyn hired to keep an eye on Mother .

You two are in this together , arent you ? You just admitted to taking her money .

She told you to say all that , didnt she ? Octavias eyes were red , her voice dripping with grievance .

Zoe retorted , Didnt you just say that she wouldnt give you a single cent and didnt care if you lived or died ? Then why are you saying that I received money from her now ? If I didnt get paid , why would I take care of such a dramatic woman ? This dramatic turn of events made the netizens suspicious .

Then , the police arrived and informed everyone that Iris and Octavia had been profiting from their staged misery , manipulating public opinion for financial gain .

They were suspected of illegal financial activity and were taken into custody .

What everyone thought was a family drama turned out to be a staged act , and now they were even suspected of criminal activity .

The netizens who were manipulated and used as pawns were furious .

They redirected their anger toward Octavia and Iris .

Joycelyn switched off the live broadcast without a word .

She hadnt shown her face or spoken once .

From the shock of learning the truth to the numbness that followed , she had maintained a calm , rational composure , turning the tide with precision .

Sitting back on the sofa with Rocky in her arms , she took in the view of the luxurious villa .

10:02 Wed , Feb 19 Chapter 168 For the first time , she had a safe haven She recalled the rainy night when she moved out of the Mercer family .

Desperate , with nowhere to go , she had been so humiliated that she had sought Ellison out and agreed to marry him ..

In return , he had unexpectedly given her the protection and security she had never experienced before .

n When Ellison arrived home , he took off his shoes at the door and noticed a little black and white ball in the living room .

He stared at it for a moment , and in the next second , resigned himself to the situation .

Rocky , scared of Ellison , immediately ran to Joycelyn for comfort .

Whats wrong , Rocky ? Joycelyn asked , not understanding what had upset him to the point he jumped into her arms .

Thinking the two dogs had been fighting , with Rocky being the loser and looking for comfort from Joycelyn , Joycelyn looked around and saw her other dog , Lucky , hurrying toward Eison , tugging at his trousers .

Under the bright lights , Ellison stood tall in his suit , his imposing figure creating a stark contrast with the small , mischievous ball of fur at his feet , He looked every bit the husband returning home after a long day , trying to manage the naughty kids at home , a stern expression on his face but with a hint of helplessness .

Joycelyn watched him for a moment , first noticing his natural air of elegance , then feeling her heart skip a beat .

This little guy , not yet beaten down by the world , had the audacity to challenge the big bad wolf .

Lucky , come here , Joycelyn called out as she stood up , still holding Rocky , and reached for the little black dog .

The puppy , unfamiliar with its new name , stuck its tongue out and wandered around in front of Ellison .

Joycelyn was worried when she watched Lucky .

Ellison frowned , though he remained still and silent .

Luckys tail wagged even more vigorously .

Youre back ? Joycelyn asked with a soft smile , walking over to Ellison , where she half knelt to pick up the playful little black dog .

She was feeling much better now .

For a moment , she resembled a mother trying to discipline her naughty child , Yeah , how was your day ? Ellison asked , slipping off his suit jacket and setting it on the couch .

Joycelyn replied , It was quite good .

I ate well , watche a movie , and understood everything the teacher taught this morning .

I finished my work in the afternoon .

I think Ill be able to go back to school soon .

Joycelyn blinked her eyes , reporting her day without mentioning the online harassment shed endured Ellison listened intently as he softly gazed at her .

In the span of a single day , she seemed unchanged , but somehow , she was different .