Deceiving Her Ears: Ignoring Your Call-Chapter 65: Scandal Exposed in Public

Natalie’s face was cold and pale. She instinctively took a step back—only to bump into a broad chest behind her. The newcomer steadied her by the shoulders and spoke in a low voice, "Are you alright?"

Scott caught sight of Julian, and the smug expression on his face changed ever so slightly.

Julian’s gaze moved away from Natalie’s ashen face and landed on Scott, his tone indifferent but laced with chill, "You’re back, Young Master Quinn. I thought you were immersed in your studies abroad these years, too busy to return."

Scott forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Work and rest must be balanced. Besides, Ethan’s engagement—how could I miss it?"

Julian’s face turned thoroughly cold.

So it was Ethan.

It made sense.

It was The Becketts who had sent Scott away. Other than The Vaughns, no one would dare protect him so easily.

But why did Ethan bring Scott back?

Julian tightened his hold on Natalie’s shoulder. "Let’s go, the engagement banquet is about to begin."

Only after he led her away from Scott did he ask, "What did Scott say to you just now?"

Natalie finally came back to herself, panic flashing in her eyes. "He said he wants to expose me and Isaac in public—"

"What?" Julian stopped in his tracks at her words and turned to look for Scott, only to find he was gone.

So many people were here today. If Scott really spouted nonsense, the consequences would be unimaginable!

*

Ethan, despite his bad leg, still knelt on one knee before everyone to put a ring on Nancy Huxley’s finger.

Nancy was moved to tears, and as soon as the ring was on, she couldn’t wait to help Ethan to his feet.

In the rapturous applause of the crowd, the two embraced and kissed.

The Vaughns and The Huxleys all looked on with smiles of heartfelt blessing.

Philip called Isaac over to his side.

"Your big brother is engaged. It won’t be long before you’ll be ready for marriage too. ’First build a family, then a career’—the old sayings always have merit. You’re still young, but it’s time to start thinking about it properly."

Vanessa was terrified her son would, in a moment of hotheadedness, blurt out the marriage certificate business with Dora.

She rushed over, saying, "Isaac isn’t in any rush, really, no rush at all."

Philip shot her a smile. "Other people can’t bear to marry off their daughters. But here you are, reluctant to bring back a daughter-in-law? Afraid your son will forget his mother once he’s married?"

Vanessa pursed her lips.

Truth was, she already felt a little like that, but couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She didn’t want people to think she was petty—what kind of mother-in-law would be jealous of her own daughter-in-law? How embarrassing would that be!

"Grandpa, Isaac already has someone—did you not know?"

Suddenly, Ethan spoke from the side.

Vanessa’s face changed, and she instinctively gripped her son’s arm tightly.

Isaac shot Ethan a cold look.

Philip frowned slightly.

He remembered when he celebrated his birthday, the youngest grandson did bring a girl home.

But that girl was not suitable to marry into the family.

Just from a glance, she wasn’t the virtuous, supportive wife type.

Ethan continued, "Grandpa, Isaac’s girlfriend is here today too."

As he finished, Vanessa stared at Isaac in shock. "What? Honey, Dora is here? Where is she? Why didn’t you say anything?"

Isaac’s hands clenched into fists, eyes ice-cold, wishing he could rip Ethan apart.

Ethan met his gaze, lips quirking in a half-smile, clearly entertained.

At that moment, The Becketts walked over.

Matthew had just started to say "Old Master Vaughn" when Ethan suddenly pointed at Natalie and said to Philip, "Grandpa, this is Isaac’s girlfriend."

With those words, everyone’s expressions changed.

Natalie’s face instantly drained of color.

Isaac exuded a biting chill, his dark eyes clouded with malice.

Vanessa gritted her teeth, scolding Ethan, "You—you stop this nonsense! Natalie, Natalie is your uncle’s fiancée!"

Matthew chimed in, "Exactly! Natalie and Jason are betrothed. Jason is Isaac’s uncle, so by that, Natalie would be Isaac’s future aunt."

He looked at Ethan, displeasure showing. "Young Master Vaughn, you can’t just make things up like this."

"I’m not making anything up." Ethan spread his hands innocently, then looked at Isaac. "Isaac, you tell them—am I making this up?"

Isaac’s face grew even darker, terrifyingly so.

But he didn’t utter a word.

Suddenly Vanessa panicked.

She grabbed her son’s arm hard. "Honey, why aren’t you saying anything? Natalie is your uncle’s fiancée. She’s your aunt. You—"

Isaac turned to look at his mother; her face was already white as a sheet.

He ground his molars, about to speak, when Natalie’s cool voice sounded first, "There’s nothing between me and Isaac."

Isaac turned to look at her, but she didn’t glance his way.

Ethan sighed. "Miss Kendall, lying isn’t right, you know."

"Enough!" Matthew’s brows furrowed tightly. "Ethan, today is your engagement banquet. The Becketts are here to offer well wishes, and this is how you behave? Why slander my daughter?"

The worst part was that all the most prominent people in Janton were here today—how was The Becketts supposed to hold their heads up now?

"Dad, Mom, we’ve expressed our congratulations. Let’s go."

Julian put his arm around Natalie’s shoulders, only wanting to take her away at once.

Matthew looked at his son in confusion.

This was all a mess—how could they just leave now?

If they left, who knew what kind of gossip would be spread?

Ethan needed to admit he was making this up.

"Uncle Beckett, I haven’t lied."

As Ethan finished speaking, suddenly two men stepped forward.

One was Scott, the one The Becketts had sent away before. The other was Aaron Alden, a good friend of Jason Grant’s.

"I can prove that there’s something going on between Natalie and Isaac!"

Scott’s voice was loud and clear.

Actually, a lot of people had already been eavesdropping at the edges, but now his words set off a ruckus.

Old Mr. Grant, already feeling unwell and preparing to leave, suddenly heard this and nearly fell out of his wheelchair.

He stared daggers at the vortex’s center—Natalie and Isaac—full of disbelief.

One was his most cherished grandson!

The other, his own son’s fiancée!

How could this be possible?

"You—you talk nonsense!" Vanessa roared at Scott.

Aaron cut in, "Vanya, Jason is my good buddy. I can’t stand watching my friend get played for a fool, especially when the guy doing it is his own nephew!"

"You—!" Vanessa turned her glare on Aaron.

Scott sneered and pressed on, "I used to attend Seaharbor University, too. Natalie and Isaac have been at it for ages! God knows how many times they’ve shared a bed!"

Vanessa went weak at the knees and almost collapsed, only to be caught by someone close by.

She turned and saw Ansel Vaughn; tears of humiliation welled up instantly. "Ansel, say something! Quick, tell them to stop slandering our son!"

Ansel’s face was livid.

Scott snorted coldly. "I know talk is cheap—so let me show everyone some evidence."

He pointed at the big screen as he finished.

The screen had been cycling sweet videos of Ethan and his fiancée Nancy Huxley.

Suddenly, the video stopped, replaced by a still photo. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

It was a picture of a man and a woman in a passionate kiss.

The man was Isaac.

The woman was Natalie.

The resolution wasn’t perfect, but anyone who looked closely could tell—it was definitely them.

In a corner of the crowd, Jessica smiled, verging on madness.

She was the one who’d given the photo to Ethan.

The one she gave Jason had been edited, but this one hadn’t—so it was easy to tell, the man was definitely Isaac.

"Nat! What the hell is this about?"

Matthew turned to Natalie and interrogated her harshly.

He never expected to be humiliated like this.

His daughter, always obedient as a marionette, and yet she’d done such a rebellious thing!

In front of so many people, The Becketts’ reputation was utterly ruined!

"Isaac, you really had a thing with your uncle’s fiancée..."

Philip’s face was equally ugly.

Ethan and Isaac—two grandsons, both his flesh and blood, both beloved.

Yet now, he hadn’t expected his youngest to do something so disgraceful.

"No—it’s not true! This isn’t true—"

Vanessa murmured, tears streaming down her face.

Isaac looked at Natalie.