Chapter 4
The next morning at ten sharp, the Sterling family press conference began right on schedule.[]
I wore a simple black suit, no makeup whatsoever, just seriously red–rimmed eyes like I’d been up all night crying.
When I stepped up to the podium, camera flashes hit me like a tidal wave, so bright I could barely keep my eyes open.]]
I didn’t rush to speak–just stood there quietly, slowly scanning the sea of reporters packed below.[]
They had their recorders and cameras all pointed at me, eyes full of curiosity and anticipation, clearly waiting for the next act in this Sterling family drama.[]
After a full thirty seconds, I finally picked up the microphone, my voice deliberately choked with suppressed emotion: “Thank you you all for coming today.”
The moment I finished speaking, tears started streaming down my cheeks.[]
I lifted my hand to wipe them away clumsily, trying desperately to stay composed but unable to control the tremor in my voice: “I’m sure you’ve all seen yesterday’s news about someone claiming… claiming my father had a daughter living out there somewhere:”
I took a deep breath, gripping the mic so tightly my knuckles went white: “But I need to tell everyone–that’s impossible.”
“My father, William Sterling, only ever loved one woman his entire life–my mother.“]
I raised my voice, looking directly into the cameras with steady eyes.]
“From my earliest memories, he read poetry to my mother every single night. No matter how busy his business trips got, he always remembered to bring her gifts. He said publicly more than once that the luckiest thing William Sterling ever did was marry my mother, and his greatest pride was having me as his daughter.“]]
Murmurs rippled through the crowd below as reporters started whispering to each other.]
rest yet.”
laid him to
I continued: “My father just passed away. His ashes are still sitting in our family chapel at home–we haven’t even my
My voice broke completely here as I covered my mouth and dissolved into sobs.]
My shoulders shook violently, as if I couldn’t bear these sudden accusations.[
“He lived his whole life with integrity, famous throughout Manhattan’s elite for being devoted to his wife and daughter. How could he possibly have had an illegitimate child? Now, someone shows up with some random photo claiming to be his daughter. That’s not family reunion–that’s smearing filth all over my father’s headstone!“]
“I won’t allow it!“]]
I dropped my hands suddenly, my red–rimmed eyes flashing with determination.]
“I, Aria Sterling, swear right here and now–as long as I’m still a Sterling, I will never let anyone drag my the mud like this!”
‘father’s”
name through
Chapter 4
The camera flashes got even more intense as a reporter eagerly raised their hand: “Miss Sterling, what’s your take on the evidence provided by Mr. Ravencrest and Miss Summer?”
photo prove? My father attended so many
I looked at that reporter, tears welling up again: “Evidence? What does some business functions–taking pictures with people was totally normal. As for Mr. Ravencrest…“]]
I paused, dropping my head like I couldn’t bear to say it: “I don’t want to badmouth anyone, but I honestly don’t understand why the Ravencrest heir is getting involved in Sterling family business and helping outsiders smear my father’s reputation.”
That set off an explosion below.[]
The reporters‘ chatter got louder and louder, and plenty of them were already looking skeptical.]
Perfect.
This chess move was working.
Caspian wanted to use public opinion to force my hand? Time for him to get a taste of his own medicine.[]
“Finally,” I picked up the mic again, voice still choked with tears, “I will pursue legal action against the parties responsible and defend my father’s reputation. Please stop spreading false information and let the dead rest in peace.”]
I bowed deeply to the crowd, then turned and walked quickly off stage without taking any more questions.[]
The moment I stepped into the backstage room, my tears were still wet but the vulnerability vanished from my eyes instantly, leaving only ice–cold calm.]
The
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I took the glass and sipped it, watching the still–rowdy crowd of reporters outside the window, the corner of my mouth curving up.[]
“The show’s just getting started. Caspian and Summer want to play the media game? I’ll play it with them all the way to the end.”
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