Chapter Three

POV: THIRD PERSON.

"There's only one way to find out if there really was foul play," Damon said and looked at his best friends.

"The CCTV."

Lucas dashed out of the office to the security office, while Lou ran around trying to prepare for an emergency press conference for Damon. Damon's heart was in the right place. Right, he didn't feel any sort of emotions towards Betty, but he never expected her to end up dead.

Lou and Lucas entered the office at the same time, both siblings panting hard.

"The CCTV files are gone. Everything was erased through a hacking activity from outside." Lucas said and Damon sat up and stared at him in shock.

"But our security system is protected through a safety proxy network. Someone from outside can't hack us. Unless…" Damon said and exchanged looks with Lucas and Lou.

"Unless they had help from someone on the inside,"  Lucas said and Damon collapsed.

"Your gut thinking might just be right. Perhaps there is something to this case that we can't see." Lou said and Damon nodded.

"Let's prepare for the press conference," Lou said after some minutes of silence. She walked up to his locker and brought out a fresh suit.

"You've got an hour till the press conference. Go freshen up." Lou said pointing Damon towards the extra room in his office.

"You look terrible," Lucas said and Damon chuckled.

Damon said nothing.

"It's not your fault, Damon," Lou said slowly and Damon looked up and smiled weakly.

"I know. I'm just wondering what my Father would do if he were to be alive. And this would just provide his nasty brother an option to push for my dismissal as CEO of the company. That's what worries me a lot." Damon said and Lucas patted his shoulders.

"You'll figure it out somehow. Go get ready." Lucas said and he and Lou walked out of the office, leaving Damon to his thoughts.

An hour had passed and it was time for the press conference to be held.

"Damon, everything's set," Lou said and Damon nodded. He looked at himself in the mirror and smoothed his hair.

Damon stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat, adjusting his suit jacket. The room fell silent as he began to speak and the sound of flash and camera's clicking.

"Good afternoon everyone, I am here today to address the recent tragedy that has occurred, the suicide of Betty. Miss Michaels fell from our building today and died. First and foremost, my deepest sympathies go out to her family and loved ones during this difficult time." Damon said and a Reporter raised her hands.

"Investigations have not been completed yet, but there are speculations that you pushed her to her death, to cover up the one-night scandal. Are these allegations true?" She said and Damon's lips curved up.

"Miss?" He asked, trying to get her name.

"Natalia." She supplied and Damon nodded.

"Miss Natalia, isn't the common knowledge that the press is not meant to cook up stories without checking the facts?" He asked and Reporter Natalia wanted to say something when Damon raised his hands authoritatively. "First and foremost, I have no reason to kill her because she was about to release the fact that we had a one-night stand. I have no reason to be ashamed. I'm a young and healthy man, and I can have affairs if I want. However, that would not be a reason for me to kill her. Betty and I were not on nasty terms, but she made the decision to take her own life. And I was not the deciding factor." Damon said and a male reporter raised his hands.

"Did she blackmail you in any way?" The reporter asked and Damon shook his head.

"No, I believe only a part of the Voice note was released. She approached me saying she wanted a real relationship, and I said a bold no to that. Because I have someone I'm in love with." Damon said and the whole hall went silent. Everyone stared at him in shock, including Lou and Lucas.

"What are you doing?" Lucas mouthed to him and Damon gave a slight shrug.

"Who is she?" "Is she a celebrity?" "How does she feel after seeing the leaked voice notes?" "Did you kill Miss Betty trying to cover up the truth from reaching your lover's ears?"

Damon cleared his throat.

"No, I didn't Kill Betty to hide shit. I'm clean. And I never said that I am Dating. I clearly stated that I was in love with someone. But that is not the reason for this press conference. I have no obligation to release any statement about my personal life." Damon said and he continued.

"I have seen many reports and articles, from various media outlets, that are condemning me for her death. These reports are not only malicious and are untrue. I still maintain that I have no hand in the death of Betty, and these accusations are uncorroborated and unnecessary."

"From this point forward, I am asking the media to refrain from releasing any more content that seeks to paint me in a negative light. We understand and respect the media's job to report the news, but we will not stand for false accusations and sensationalism. If this continues, we will be taking legal measures to protect my name and reputation."

"I urge the media and the public to respect Betty's memory and privacy during this difficult time. Let us come together and offer support and comfort to her family and loved ones. Thank you."

"You're in love?" Lou asked as soon as all three of them were alone in Damon's soundproof office.

"I was about to ask that very same question too, Lou," Lucas asked and Damon sighed.

"I just wanted to give the press something to be diverted with," Damon said. "Betty should be left to rest in peace, and her family and friends allowed to grieve her death without unnecessary intrusion from the Press." Damon finished removed his jacket and sat on his chair.

"Still, Don't you know you've just shot yourself in the foot with that piece of information?" Lou said and Lucas shook his head.

"Actually, Lou it might not be that bad," Lucas said and Damon and Lou looked at him, knowing he was having one of those crazy brainstorms.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Lou said and Damon nodded.

"Yeah, I thought you were going to be against it," Damon said and Lucas shook his head.

"I just think it might be a way that you can divert the press from the possibility of you being involved in the death of Betty," Lucas said and Damon relaxed in his chair.

"How?" Lou asked and folded her arm.

"Marriage."