My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 121

Alexander fell silent for a moment before saying, “It was a matter of incompatible personalities. During university, I was juggling two majors at the same time, so my schedule was packed, and I didn’t spend much time with her. After I joined the company, I got caught up in work and neglected her feelings. After several attempts to reconcile, we ultimately decided to part ways amicably.”

It was a rather formal explanation.

“I guess this is also related to the industry. In acting, when you’re filming, you can be away for months at a time. If both partners are busy with their careers, it’s hard to find time to be together. Now that you’re the president of Vanguard Global Enterprises, you must be incredibly busy. Does Miss Vivienne have any issues with that?”

Alexander smiled lightly. “She’s just as busy. We often work late together, and it actually makes our lives more fulfilling.”

“Does that mean the rumors online about Miss Vivienne only joining Vanguard Global Enterprises through connections are untrue?”

Alexander shook his head. “Vanguard Global Enterprises doesn’t have that kind of toxic culture.”

“I heard that after Miss Isabella returned, she started collaborating with Vanguard Global Enterprises. Were you involved in that?”

At the time, the rumor circulating was that the spokesperson, originally Lena Ashford, had suddenly been replaced by Isabella.

“Yes, she wanted to come back to Virellia City to develop her career. To help her break into the market quickly, I gave her a little assistance.”

“From what I know, many couples, even if they part on good terms, find it hard to stay friends afterward. Now that Miss Isabella is back in Virellia City and asked for your help, have you two kept in touch? Don’t you worry that Miss Vivienne might get jealous?”

“As a businessman, it’s rare for things to end badly. I’ve also worked with Ms. Isabella’s father, and after we broke up, we occasionally stayed in touch. I don’t regret helping her, but I do regret how I did it. I didn’t maintain the proper boundaries between a man and a woman, and I neglected my wife’s feelings. That’s why Vivienne was misunderstood as the third party and harassed online. So, I owe her an apology.” Alexander looked directly at the camera, his gaze sincere, his tone serious as he said, “Vivienne, I’m sorry.”

“Could it be that Mr. Hawthorne agreed to this interview just because of that? It seems Miss Vivienne holds a very special place in Mr. Hawthorne’s heart.”

“Mm. To me, she’s like air. Her presence is in every corner of my life, and I can’t live without her anymore.”

When he said this, Alexander looked directly at the camera, feeling a deep sense of relief.

Sometimes, rumors are just that—rumors. The truth can only be known by those involved.

In his heart, Alexander’s relationship with Isabella had always been about compatibility.

At the time of their breakup, something had happened with Isabella. He had thought of spending his life trying to make it right.

If Isabella hadn’t broken up with him, she would have undoubtedly been the one by his side today.

But there are no “what-ifs.”

Isabella ended things, and he married Vivienne—someone who could make him put work aside to be with her, someone who could truly make his heart ache.

Isabella had gotten into trouble because of him, and he didn’t regret helping her. What he regretted was not understanding his own feelings sooner and hurting Vivienne.

If he could choose again, he would still support Isabella’s career but would no longer keep in contact with her privately. He would have been honest with Vivienne about everything.

“Mr. Hawthorne is indeed a cultured man. His sweet words are exceptional, never mentioning love directly, yet full of affection.”

As the interview aired, Vanguard Global Enterprises’ official Twitter account posted a list of lawsuits and shared the official marriage certificate of Vivienne and Alexander. The comments section quickly filled with supportive messages.

Vivienne’s POV

Sophie: “Did you see the video? At least he’s a man and knows how to step up and clarify things!”

Sophie: “Looks like Isabella, the so-called mistress, just got slapped in the face! I’m posting a tweet to celebrate this and see who still dares mess with me!”

Vivienne: “...”

Sophie didn’t just post a tweet to celebrate; she also replied to everyone who’d argued with her in the comments.

“Haha, slapped in the face, huh!”

“Stop pretending, go apologize now!”

“Didn’t you say Vivienne wasn’t the mistress? Now eat your words!”

“Hey, your name’s on the lawsuit list released by Vanguard Global Enterprises! Hahaha!”

“...”

Sophie: “She’s like air to me. Her presence is in every corner of my life, and I can’t live without her anymore.”

Sophie: “Didn’t expect CEO Hawthorne to be so smooth with words.”

I didn’t respond.

Alexander had always been a good actor, and I’d been fooled by him before. I wouldn’t fall for it again.

Sophie: “But Vivienne, don’t let his sweet talk fool you! He’s still protecting Isabella!”

I could tell that Alexander’s response in the interview had clarified my position while distancing himself from Isabella, taking full responsibility for the situation.

If I didn’t know what had really happened between Alexander and Isabella, I might have thought like Sophie.

But I knew enough to understand that Alexander’s actions were predictable.

If Alexander had shifted all the blame onto Isabella, I would have lost all respect for him.

“I know, don’t worry.”

It was clear that Alexander’s answers during the interview had been sincere, but this public defense had come a little too late.

The divorce had already been brought up, and I wouldn’t regret it.

Other’s POV

After the interview video was released, the comment section seemed to attract a whole new crowd. There were people who had previously supported Vivienne, some onlookers who hadn’t taken sides, and a few of Alexander’s fans—all expressing their sympathy for Vivienne, condemning the irresponsible media coverage and online abuse, and wishing the best for both Alexander and Vivienne.

"I always had a feeling that Alexander and Vivienne were married, but I got roasted by Isabella’s fans for it. Guess who the real fool is now?"

"What happened to those people who said they’d apologize if the plot turned around?"

"I remember when they were attacking Vivienne, they even went after her father, Maxwell Sinclair, the journalist. These people are insane, thinking they can say anything online without consequences. It’s not the first time they’ve done this kind of online bullying!"

"Fun fact: Vivienne graduated from a prestigious university, and her excellent grades had big companies fighting over her. There’s no way she got into Vanguard Global Enterprises just by connections. She’s really Maxwell Sinclair’s daughter—what an accomplishment!"

"Wishing both of them lifelong happiness! But does anyone care about the media’s role in all of this? These days, all they care about is ratings; the truth doesn’t matter at all."

"High emotional intelligence: didn’t maintain the proper boundaries between men and women. Low emotional intelligence: cheating in a marriage."

"I can’t stand this one actress—she hasn’t been in any good projects for ages, yet her boring news keeps trending every day. Her fans attack everyone, and she’s the actual mistress! Hilarious!"

"I’m an Isabella fan, and I want to apologize to Miss Vivienne. I was swept up in the public narrative and said some hurtful things. I’m really sorry."

Others replied to this fan:

"If all fans were as rational as you, the world would be a better place."

"I feel like Isabella knows she’s the other woman."

"You don’t just feel it, you know it! Vivienne’s been slandered as the mistress for so long—how could she not know? She hasn’t said a word, while Vivienne gets bullied online. She hides away and doesn’t even try to defend herself. It’s laughable."

As for the people who had previously attacked Vivienne, only a few admitted they’d been misled by the narrative and apologized to Vivienne. Most just deleted their comments and stayed silent.

The online crowd’s love for gossip didn’t change.

Some even went to the Clickbait Account’s Twitter page that had started the narrative, eagerly waiting to watch the drama unfold.

"Vivienne wasn’t the other woman, huh? Looks like we’ve got a slap in the face here."

"No apology yet? Oh, she’s been sued? Well, that’s fine then."