Chapter 33
+25 BONUS
Liam’s warning had the desired effect. The reporters quickly backed off, not daring to ask any more questions.
But the police hadn’t reached any conclusions yet, so the rumors online didn’t stop spreading. It only grew louder by the day.
Jacklyn decided to just turn off her phone and ignore the mess altogether.
That evening, Eugene surprisingly didn’t stay late at work and came home on time.
At the dining table, the air was thick with tension.
Breaking the silence, Eugene spoke first, asking, “Jackie, are you busy lately?”
Jacklyn put down her cutlery and looked up calmly. “Why are you asking?”
“I’m holding a press conference to clear the air about all this,” he said.
Jacklyn shifted her gaze, grabbed a napkin to wipe her hands, and replied firmly, “I won’t go. There’s no need to clarify something I didn’t do. Once the police finish their investigation, this whole thing will blow over.”
Eugene cleared his throat and tightened his hands on the table. “Jackie, this isn’t just about you. It’s about Lloyd Group.”
He spoke fast, like he was anxious. “Everyone at the company is talking about this. The board has already held several meetings.”
Eugene pressed his lips together. Recalling the harsh words at those meetings, he reached out and gently took her hand before gently pleading, “Please, Jackie, do this for me. For Lloyd Group.”
He had worked so hard to get where he was. He couldn’t let some scandal like this drag him down.
Jacklyn looked down, then burst out laughing in disbelief. “Gene, after all these years of having each other’s backs, you can’t fix something this small?”
Faced with her questioning, Eugene felt embarrassed.
After a moment, he begged, “Please, just help me one more time.”
Jacklyn found his desperation disgusting but agreed nonetheless.
The next morning, they set out early. The reporters were already there when they arrived.
“Ms. Stinson, are you going to admit to what happened?”
Jacklyn faced the crowd. “I didn’t hire anyone to hurt Ms. Scott. The police are still investigating. I hope the truth will come out soon.”
Suddenly, the reporters closed in.
“Ms. Stinson, it’s a fact that Ms. Scott was assaulted, and she accused you herself. Can you prove you’re innocent?”
“Ms. Stinson, how do you plan to prove that?”
The reporters pressed harder, not letting her leave.
Seeing the reporters pressing Jacklyn, Eugene quickly stepped in front of her and shielded her from them.
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Chapter 33
+25 BONUS
“I guarantee you that this matter has nothing to do with Jacklyn. I ask all members of the media to stop speculating. Once there’s a conclusion, we’ll inform everyone immediately.”
“Mr. Lloyd, you’re her husband. Your guarantee means nothing.”
Eugene hesitated, then forced a smile. “What if I put the entire Lloyd family’s reputation behind her?”
He glanced at Jacklyn, secretly proud. He thought she had to be thrilled that he was standing up for her.
But Jacklyn didn’t even glance at him.
“Mr. Lloyd, if you want to prove Ms. Stinson’s innocence, you’ll need something more concrete.”
“I-”
Eugene was about to calm the reporters when a man’s voice cut in, “The witnesses are here!”
At the mention of witnesses, all eyes shifted.
A few men were being held back by bodyguards as they approached the stage.
Liam scanned the crowd, then leaned into the microphone. These are the witnesses who will prove Ms. Stinson’s innocence.”
“Speak up!” One guard kicked the lead man forward and shoved the microphone into his hand.
Jacklyn’s eyes widened. Those were the same three men who had harassed her that night.
The lead man glanced nervously at Jacklyn. When his gaze landed on Liam, his whole body trembled uncontrollably.
Liam was terrifying.
The three stayed silent, so Liam’s eyes sharpened. “Still not going to talk?”
“T–That night, we saw Ms. Stinson standing alone by the roadside. We said a few inappropriate things to her, and she ran away. We’re sorry, Ms. Stinson. We weren’t thinking straight. Please forgive us.”
Jacklyn stared at the three, her eyes sharp as knives. “Did someone send you to come after me that night?”
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