FULL NOVELXO Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Today, William donned a sleek black business coat that fit him like a glove. His divinely sculpted face exuded an aura of authority, and he appeared every bit the regal king as he entered the hall, flanked by a throng of admirers.
All eyes were drawn to him, and as soon as the reporters realized it was William, their professional instinctual curiosity was piqued.
"Mr. Kinsman must be here to back up Miss Clarke!"
One person whispered. "No doubt about it! Miss Clarke has been through the wringer but has never spoken a word in her own defense. She held this press conference just to clear Mr. Kinsman's name. Where else can you find such a sensible woman?"
Another chimed in. "Absolutely! Miss Clarke is truly the perfect fit as the future Mrs. Kinsman - she's got her head screwed on right and knows the score."
As the murmurs continued, William's face grew increasingly stormy.
Upon spotting him, Gianna's heart skipped a beat, and her face turned as white as a sheet.
Gianna knew that speaking out in front of the media would displease William, but she never expected him to show up in
person.
Gianna couldn't bear to see anything wrong with her squeaky-clean image, so she steeled herself and immediately moved closer to him, acting obediently.
"William, what brings you here? I can handle this on my own. Everyone's got the facts straight now badmouth you ever again," Gianna said, eyes downcast and voice meek, like a well-behaved lady.
no one will
As Gianna approached William, the live broadcast room exploded with excitement, with users typing out their frenzied thoughts.
He's here, he's here! Mr. Kinsman has come to back up his princess!
How sweet is that?!
"What do you mean, Miss Clarke? Wasn't it you who spread those outrageous rumors about me on the internet?"
William asked coldly, instinctively distancing himself from Gianna and looking down with a sense of detachment. Right, a sense of detachment.
The woman he had known for years was suddenly a stranger.
William's words left the reporters in the hall dumbstruck, they were shocked as they struggled to process the juicy gossip they had just heard. In an instant, the hall fell deathly silent.
Meanwhile, netizens who had been eagerly cheering for the seemingly perfect couple now expressed their shock and disappointment.
[What the heck? Just trying to stir up some buzz?] one user typed.
[Has Gianna no shame? She is really out here playing with our emotions like that? Disgusting!] another added.
[I knew it, Gianna is still the same old Black Widow. I only have myself to blame for believing in her!]
Gianna was caught off guard by William's question. It took her a while to process his words. "What are you talking about? Why would I badmouth you online? You're the most important person to me. I'd do anything to protect you!"
Gianna scrambled to restore her image, explaining herself with numerous errors. She even tried to switch off the phone that was live-streaming the event.
However, the phone was guarded by Marshall, leaving her with no chance to turn off them. She could only cast puppy dog eyes at William, hoping he wouldn't continue to debunk her lies.
However, William paid no attention to her pleading expression, and he instructed Marshall to play a surveillance video instead.
Several screens at the venue synced up and displayed the footage, which showed Gianna in the corridor of the Kinsman family's villa being embraced and shamelessly kissing another man. Eventually, she was carried away on the man's shoulder.
Watching the video on the screen, Gianna felt like she was going to be sick.
The woman in the video couldn't possibly be her. She would never do such a thing with another man...
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11:04
Chapter 73
Gianna screamed internally, her mind in turmoil. Suddenly, she recalled the events of the previous night and a terrifying thought crossed her mind. "Marshall!"
"Yes, sir!"
Upon receiving William's order, Marshall found the best spot for the online and on-site media and respectfully began his explanation. "You've all seen the video. Please allow me to clarify the situation.
"Firstly, the Kinsman family announced days ago that there will be no engagement with Gianna Clarke. This is true. Secondly, the man seen canoodling with Gianna Clarke in the footage is not Mr. Kinsman, so there's no basis for the rumors of Mr. Kinsman abandoning her. Thirdly, the person behind the rumors is none other than Gianna Clarke herself. We'll be pursuing legal action against her. Lastly, Olivia Clarke is an exceptional woman and the one Mr. Kinsman is pursuing. We ask everyone not to believe the rumors and cause unnecessary trouble for Olivia Clarke."
Marshall laid out the facts in a straightforward manner.
Gianna cowered off to the side, feeling as if she'd been plunged into an icy hell. She was chilled to the bone, her body shaking uncontrollably.
What on earth was happening? Who was the man she had been with at the Kinsman family's villa that day?
Gianna's thoughts were scattered, and she was engulfed by a tidal wave of despair. Gianna felt as if her entire world was crumbling around her.
After Marshall finished addressing the incident, he instructed the security team to escort the reporters to have some coffee. All the live-streams on various platforms ended as well. With the crowd dispersed, the spa c ious banquet hall was left with only William and Gianna.
William was eager to leave but had some questions to ask.
"Gianna, was it really Olivia who killed Grandpa?"
William towered over her, his deep and dark eyes scrutinizing her, trying to see through her every facade.
Upon hearing this, Gianna was momentarily stunned. A flicker of terror crossed her face, but she quickly masked it.
"Of course it's her. Olivia killed Grandpa and harmed me. Why is it always her that causes me pain? Why?" Gianna attempted to conceal her inner panic with hysterical accusations.
William just watched her in silence, not uttering another word. After a few seconds of hesitation, he turned to leave.
Gianna's heart raced with panic. Trembling, she moved towards William, reaching out to grasp his sleeve, but failed. "William, I've been by your side for so many years. Even if I haven't helped you much, I at least deserve some recognition for my efforts. Why are you treating me like this?"
Gianna lifted her head slightly, her eyes reddened and full of grievance.
"I told you five years ago that I wouldn't give you the position of Mrs. Kinsman that you want. My wife can only be Olivia, and you've tested my patience time and time again. All these years, I've shown you respect, but you didn't appreciate it."
"William...
Without waiting for her to continue appealing to emotions, William pressed on with his questions, stern and resolute.
"My second question: has Grandpa's death to do with you?" William's voice was icy cold, as if it carried the chill from the depths of hell.
Hearing this, Gianna felt a shiver run down her spine.
Her mind, previously numbed by grief and despair, suddenly snapped to attention.
"William, I, I don't understand what you're saying. It's been so long. Why are you asking this now?" Gianna sensed that something was off and became increasingly flustered. Could it be that William had uncovered something?