"Boring."
"All conferences are." I whispered back.
"I was talking about you, the conference seems less boring than you are." She replied pointedly.
"I'm aware." I said before turning my focus back to the media.
Gigi sat after making her announcement and turned to face Mayelle. "You're early."
"I had something to deal with plus Kiara was playing her silly tricks again." Mayelle responded to her mom.
"At least you made it." Gigi rolled her eyes.
The room was still buzzing when I turned to face the reporter once more.
"Let's address your other questions, shall we." I said to the reporter.
The man took a moment longer to come back to his senses.
"Can you prove that this engagement was made long before this scandal?" He asked.
I understood him well.
"You should know I don't care about my reputation or how the public views me." I said with a straight face."That should be enough proof that I won't make a decision like this just because of a scandal."
Some chuckled.
Others sneered.
But who cared.
"Mr Russo, what is your relationship with Miss Belmont like?" He asked.
"It's good."
"Can you tell us something you admire about her?" Another reporter asked all of a sudden.
I turned to face Mayelle who just stared back at me, probably also waiting for what I had to say.
"Her supportive nature." I cooked something up.
The crowd broke into a new series of murmurs.
I could feel all eyes on me.
Some, probably out of shock and confusion.
Others, out of amusement and interest.
"Do you think this engagement will last and eventually lead to marriage?" Another godforsaken reporter asked.
My expression turned sharp.
"All you need to know is that this arrangement isn't temporary an-"
Mayelle placed her palm on my thigh, trying to tell me to calm down.
I rephrased what I wanted to say.
"This scandal is nothing but a set up and I would like it if you all could see the truth that has been placed before you and stop believing baseless rumors."
"Will you be taking action against those involved?" the reporter asked.
"If necessary." I said.
Which meant yes in the Vincent Russo dictionary.
"All that matters is that Vincent is innocent." Mayelle chipped in. "I wouldn't be here, by his side otherwise."
That line managed to finally shut the reporters up.
"Since it seems you have no other relevant questions to ask, let's end the conference."
I stood as I said this, giving no room for arguments.
Not like they had any more questions to ask.
They already had all the answers to they needed and more.
The rest of the family followed suit as I stood and walked straight out of the hall.
By the time we got outside, my car was already waiting at the entrance.
My father praised.
"You did well son, I guess it's because you have my wits."
"It's my mom's brain working."
My dad sighed.
"You-"
"I'll get going now." I said to Gigi.
"Alright." She smiled. "Vincent, Mayelle has a dress fitting you need to attend with her in the next one week."
"Okay, send me the details." I said.
"I'll see you soon then." I faced Mayelle, stretching out my hand.
She took it and I placed a gentle kiss on her palm before letting go.
I was about to enter my car when Adrian stopped me.
"I'll go with you." He said.
He didn't even give me the chance to reject him as he already hopped into the car without waiting for my answer.
I sighed and entered the car, knowing there was no point dragging things out with Adrian.
Inside the car, he started asking foolish questions as usual.
"You like her, don't you?" He starts.
"I don't, and even if I did it's none of your business." I eyed him.
Adrian's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Does that mean you won't be telling me the identity of the person who set you up?" He questioned.
"Shut up or get out of my car." I glared at him.
"Fine, I'll rest my case." He raises his hand in surrender.
Just then, the car came to an halt.
"Sir, we've arrived."
I looked out of the car to see the simple, sophisticated entrance of Alan Magazine.
The driver came down and opened the door for me.
I stepped out of the car and Adrian followed suit.
We were met near the entrance of the company by the manager who had already been expecting us.
"Mr Russo, welcome back." He greeted.
It has been quite a while since I last came to check out the place.
"Things have been going well here, I hope?" I questioned.
"Ye-yes sir." He responded.
"Let's go to my office." I said and we moved straight for the elevator.
"Why do you always have to be grumpy all the time?" Adrian questioned.
"Seems like you no longer need this job." I responded calmly.
When we got into my office and I was settled in my seat I turned to face Adrian.
"Take." I said to Adrian.
He took the brown folder that I held out to him.
"What for?" He questioned, looking partially disgusted.
"Go sort this document out, don't come back unless you're done." I gave my instruction.
He looked like he was about to say something, but he changed his mind.
Thankfully.
When Adrian finally left I turned to face the manager.
"Tell me all you know about Blaire Chandler." I finally asked.
"Well she joined Alan print magazine not too long ago so I don't really know much about her." The manager explained.
"Just tell me what you know."
"She's 24, born and raised here in the New York and although she seems simple, I could tell that she had a great force behind her."
"You can leave."
"I almost forgot, she came in to drop her resignation letter early that morning." The manager informed.
"Hmm." I answered simply.
The manager finally left me after that.
My thoughts crowded my head as I scanned the documents on my table.
The scandal was finally over, but the real battle was yet to begin.
My phone rang all of a sudden and I checked the caller ID.
It was Daniel.
I answered the call. "Hey."
"That was a smooth one." I could almost hear Daniel's smile through the phone.
"You seem happier than I am." I relaxed a bit.
"Yh ca-cau-" the call glitched.
I cut the call immediately I heard the glitching sound.
The realization had already hit me fast.
My phone had been tapped.