In this age of streaming sensationalism, I had never been one to indulge. Yet, as I was about to swipe away, a familiar face appeared on the screen.
I saw Howard's assistant, Stella Carter.
Over the years, as Howard navigated life under my family's roof, I had granted him a subsidiary to manage.
To demonstrate his loyalty, he had always insisted I review the resumes of any female recruits.
Thus, Stella was a face I knew well.
Now, she stood before the camera, and her voice was choked with tears as she addressed the live audience.
"My relationship with my boyfriend has always been solid, but this woman relentlessly sends me provocative messages, trying to seduce him away. She threatens me that as long as I don't break up with my boyfriend, she'll make my life a misery. Can a mistress really drive someone to despair?"
Stella sobbed, and her words were eliciting a wave of sympathy from the viewers.
The audience rallied, vowing to stand by her and defeat the "vicious mistress."
I never imagined the world could be so small that I'd find myself embroiled in the drama of my own employees through a live broadcast.
After ending the stream, I called Howard.
"Darling, is Stella not at work today?"
"She's taken the day off. Why do you ask?"
"It seems she's in some trouble. Check in with her to see if there's anything we can do to help. She's our employee, after all, and shouldn't be subjected to bullying."
As I hung up, the doorbell rang.
The door burst open under a forceful push.
A throng of people flooded in.
"Look! This is the mistress we've come to punish!"
"A mistress' life is indeed lavish. To live alone in such opulence, no wonder she clings to another's man!"
As I steadied myself, a barrage of phones was thrust into my face.
The air was thick with the stench of righteous indignation as the mob advanced.
I stood my ground, recognizing the very same faces from the live broadcast.
"How did they mistake me for the mistress?" I mused.
I was speechless and said, "Did you make a mistake? I..."
Before I could finish, a sharp slap cut through the air, landing on my cheek with a stinging force. It was Stella.
"You bitch! How dare you live so well off my man's money?"
The resounding slap left me reeling.
The mob that had surged into my home now jeered.
"You may appear respectable, but why do you choose the path of a mistress when so many avenues are open to you? You deserve every blow!"