Later that day, Madeline finally wakes up in a strange unfamiliar bedroom. The walls of the room were all painted grey and the huge bed was black with grey bedsheets in contrast. She pushed herself up slightly, her brows knitting together."Where exactly did they dump me…"The door opened before she could think further.
Madeline stared at the man who pushed the door open and paused. He was wearing a black shirt paired with matching well tailored pants. He wore an expensive wrist watch on one hand and a black beaded bracelet on the other. This man was not only tall and handsome but had well defined and sharp features similar to someone of a mixed race. Madeline smiled at him.
Now this… she could look at. His grey eyes finally met hers. "Are you planning to stay in bed all day," he asked calmly, "or are you getting up? It's almost two." Madeline blinked.
"Huh?"
He stared at her for a second, then scoffed lightly and walked past the bed heading straight for the closet like she didn't exist. Madeline sat there for a few seconds, still processing, then it hit her.
"…press conference." Her head snapped toward the bedside table, she grabbed the phone and checked the time.
1:07 PM. "Oh shit." she shot out of bed so fast the blanket tangled around her legs. That was when another thought hit her. She turned slowly toward the closet. "…wait."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Was that… Zachary?" her husband? She paused for half a second, then muttered under her breath. "Wow, was he a sight" then her expression changed instantly.
"The girl." She walked toward the closet quickly and pushed the door open,
"Hubby, where is the girl I was…" the word died in her throat. Zachary stood there clad in only his underwear, his defined abs and v line staring straight back at her. Madeline's eyes instinctively dropped down before she could stop herself.
"…oh." She looked back up immediately like nothing happened but Zachary caught it. His expression changed in her first sentence.
He strode over to her, pulling her until her back hit the wall inside the closet, his hand braced beside her head, trapping her in place.
"What did you just call me?" he asked quietly. Madeline blinked, caught off guard. For a second, she forgot what she had said, her husband's face was too much of a distraction. Then it clicked.
"Hubby?" The word came out slower this time. His grey eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable, like he was trying to peel her apart layer by layer. Madeline held his gaze, she wasn't a bit flustered, the air tightened instantly, then Zachary scoffed and stepped back like he had just lost interest.
"Unbelievable." He turned around and continued dressing like nothing had happened. Madeline leaned lightly against the wall, watching him without shame. "…damn."
She didn't even bother lowering her voice, ensuring he heard her and he did, He just didn't react. When he finished, he walked past her toward the door. "Wipe your drool," he said casually. "It's about to ruin my rug".
Madeline immediately lifted her hand to her mouth, but there was nothing there, she narrowed her eyes slightly before quickly following him out
"Where's the girl?" Zachary didn't stop walking.
"She's in the car, ""Freshen up," he added. "We'll talk when you get back. There are some things I need to know". There was something in his tone that made her pause. It sounded like a request but it wasn't exactly an order either. It sounded like something in between
Madeline let go of him and headed toward the bathroom. "Talk later," she muttered. "As if I have time."
---
By the time she arrived at the press conference, it was already chaos, Madeline stepped out of the car and glanced at the girl sitting beside her. "You know what to do, right?" she said calmly, the girl nodded quickly, her face pale. Madeline turned to the bodyguard. "Bring her in when I signal."
Inside, the atmosphere was already heated, Madeline quickly found a seat and slipped in.
Reporters from almost every station gathered, they crowded the room, microphones raised mad lights flashing everywhere. Director Lee sat on the podium, his face pale, together with 2 others. A man and a woman.
The man on his right, the PR manager, leaned forward slightly. "Dear members of the media, thank you for coming today. We are here to clarify the recent allegations surrounding one of our own Director Lee. The rumors claiming that he cheated on his wife and caused her miscarriage are completely false. These statements were made to cover up the actions of the real culprit."
A reporter immediately stood up. "Then who is the real culprit?" the PR manager smiled stiffly. "We are still investigating…"
"But Mr. Lee previously accused Madeline Myers," another reporter cut in. "Is he denying that statement now?"
Lee suddenly raised his head. "I am not denying anything. I am innocent. It was…"
The woman on his left suddenly pressed against his arm. He stopped, his expression changed instantly. He lowered his head, looking… restrained, like any more words could end his life. The cameras flashed in a frenzy, all trying to capture his every expression.
"Director Lee, are you being silenced?"
"Are you being pressured into hiding the truth?"
"If so, you should speak now!" at least to get justice for your unborn child who couldn't see the world.
Lee's lips trembled. Then, he started crying loudly. The room erupted. The numbers of viewers on the livestream skyrocketed.
Comments flooded in.
(A1q): "Let's go to her page and drag her!"
(B2u): "That murderer should be exposed! Her money won't save her anymore!"
(I ^ lee): "Madeline Myers, get out of the entertainment industry!"
A small voice tried to speak.
(Boba):"Shouldn't we hear her side of the story? immediately this comment appeared, it was immediately drowned out.
"The murderer still has fans, are you one?"
"Are you her fake account?"
"Shut up!"
"Madeline gets out of the entertainment industry"
All hate comments spammed the screen, some headed to her account to drop more hateful comments, others headed to the RVT official page to drop more hateful comments.
Then… a clear voice cut through the chaos. "Director, your first statement stated that you were drugged and blackmailed, but in the photo posted online you didn't walk into that hotel like someone who was drunk. Care to explain?"
All eyes turned on the speaker and behold it was Madeline with her overly beautiful face that made everyone jealous. Everywhere went still. No one expected Madeline to come here herself, she always had a team ready for this.
Even the PR manager froze. He opened his mouth to speak but Madeline raised one finger to shush him. She walked forward slowly, her heels clicking against the floor in a steady controlled movement.
"If you claim I drugged you," she said, her gaze settling on Lee, "then tell me… what exactly do I gain from doing that? What can you offer me that I don't already have?"
No one said a word. Cameras continued flashing, the direction alternating between Madeline and Lee. She continued walking until she reached the stage.
"As most of you already know," she added, her lips curving slightly, "I have standards."
A few reporters blinked then realised all her co stars she was involved in a scandal with were those with handsome faces or personalities. Madeline's eyes swept over Lee slowly. From head to toe, then she smiled
"So why," she asked softly, her voice sounding clearly across the room, "would I go out of my way for someone like you?"
She tilted her head slightly. "An old, sleazy, pot-bellied man with a receding hairline…" she paused before finishing calmly, "…when I have access to much better options?"