Chapter 99
Andrew’s speech was impassioned, the very picture of a devoted father.
Stella moved to step forward, but a reporter cut in first. “Mr. Hayes,” the journalist challenged, “you claim the video is fabricated. Do you have proof?”
Andrew remained unshaken. “Proof? The video itself is the lie. Anyone with eyes can see that.”
Another reporter countered, “Actually, multiple media outlets have had experts analyze the footage. We can confirm it’s authentic.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Other journalists joined in. “That’s right, Mr. Hayes. We expected new developments, not outright denial. Are you seriously trying to gaslight the public?”
Fiona paled. She knew the video was real. The entire ride over, she’d nervously asked Andrew if this would work–if they could really lie their way out.
“Don’t worry,” he’d assured her. “If we deny it hard enough, who’s going to question us? Most people don’t care about the truth anyway.”
Now, the reporters‘ words were a slap in the face.
But Andrew Hayes didn’t falter for long. “I’ve also commissioned an analysis,” he said smoothly, “and while we’re still waiting for results, I can say with absolute certainty–that video is fake. How do we know your experts are reliable?”
A reporter scoffed, crossing his arms. “We didn’t just find one video. We have another.”
Andrew’s face darkened just as the second video began playing on the large screen behind the Hayes family.
The crowd erupted in gasps. This footage clearly showed Andrew and Fiona–though Max was absent–standing alongside Anna. The implications were damning.
Fiona’s grip on her purse turned white–knuckled. She shot Andrew a frantic look, silently begging him to fix this.
Andrew cleared his throat, launching into damage control. “Since the truth is out… let me explain. We kept this quiet to avoid misunderstandings.”
He said, “Everyone knows the Carvers have been pressuring our family. Troy came to me, demanding a favor from my son–in–law Jordan. I refused–I had no authority to agree! But he threatened us. Said the Carvers would destroy our family if I didn’t comply.”
He pressed a hand to his chest. “I even approached Jordan, but he refused to help. What choice did I have? Yet I never imagined Troy would harm my daughter. I wouldn’t help him if I knew he would do that!”
“The Carvers have since apologized, and we considered the matter closed. I don’t know who’s dredging this up now…” His voice cracked. “The Hayes family has suffered enough. And Stella…” He bowed deeply. “You have my sincerest apology.”
Fiona and Anna wore identical frozen smiles. Neither felt remorse, but the court of public opinion demanded this performance. ‘Once we get through this,‘ Fiona thought, ‘we’ll find out who orchestrated this ambush. That reporter will pay.‘
“An apology?” Stella’s voice cut through the murmurs like shattered glass. She stepped out of the car, and the crowd fell silent. Fiona’s frantic eye–rolls went ignored/
Anna reacted fastest, dropping to her knees with a theatrical thud. “Stella, we didn’t know! How could we ever hurt you on
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Chapter 99
purpose?”
Fiona chimed in, saccharine–sweet. “Stella, darling, we’re your parents. Who would believe we’d do such a thing?”
Andrew nodded gravely. “Stella, we’re sorry. We know words can’t undo the pain, but we’ll do better. We see now.”
Stella studied their performances–the bowed heads, the trembling lips, the perfect timing. These people always knew when to fold. She thought, ‘Justice delayed is still justice.‘
“Andrew, Fiona, Anna,” she began, her voice steady and sharp. “I suppose you haven’t heard yet. Troy has already confessed in prison. He said you sent him.
“Because when you tried to force me to marry Troy and I refused–when I chose Jordan instead–you couldn’t stand my defiance. So you decided to ruin me.
“You thought if this happened, Jordan would discard me, divorce me, and I’d have no choice but to crawl back to you, obedient at
last.
“You’ve been scheming against me all this time. Did you really think no one would uncover how vile you are?”
The reporters surged forward, microphones thrust toward her. “Ms. Hayes, is this true? Troy has already admitted it?”
“Can you give us more details?”
Stella held their gaze, enunciating every word. “Right before I came here, I called the police station to check on the case. They confirmed Troy has given a full statement–and these three were involved.”
Her eyes locked onto her family. “The police said they’ll be taken into custody soon to answer for what they’ve done.”
She didn’t miss the way their bodies stiffened. A bitter smile curled her lips. ‘Let’s see you talk your way out of this.’
Fiona suddenly shrieked, “That’s impossible. Troy is lying. Stella, you–you must have paid him off to say that!”
“Paid him off?” Stella let out a humorless laugh. “Troy despises me. If it weren’t for me, he might’ve avoided prison altogether for his past crimes. Now he’s locked away for life. Do you really think he’d take a bribe from me?”
Even the reporters nodded at the logic of her words.
Fiona opened her mouth to retort, but then she really looked at Stella–truly looked. The last time she’d seen her, Stella had just returned home, frail and constantly in and out of hospitals.
But now? Color had returned to her cheeks. Her frame, once gaunt, had filled out. The tailored outfit she wore accentuated her renewed vitality. And that aura–stronger, fiercer than before–it was almost as if Stella had shed her old self entirely.
