The journalist was abruptly left embarrassed. It was certainly true—they were all asking questions endlessly, one after another from the start.Cordy had no chance to speak at all."If everyone is done, please stay quiet for a moment and listen to what I have to say," she continued with a neutral tone. "Once I'm done, I will answer any questions you have, with everything I know—if time permits."The conference room turned silent right then. Everyone was watching Cordy expectantly. If there was an elegant reversal to be had here, it deserved nothing less than exclusive headlines."I will admit that the photos which surfaced yesterday are 100% genuine and not fabricated," Cordy said then, her expression calm as ever.While there were audible snorts around the room, most of the journalists stayed silent and waited for Cordy to finish."I'm sure everyone is aware that I used to work at Jessop Corp's PR departments. Back when I first joined the company alongside Kyle Jessop, the
Noel's denial was suspiciously specific, and even she started to panic after she said it.The journalists were puzzled by her words as well.But since she was not the main character here, they did not pay her much attention, instead asking Cordy with anticipation, "Do you know who this person is, Ms. Sachs?""Who would frame you in secret?""Why would she do it? Because she could not bear to see you doing well?"Cordy was almost scarily calm in contrast to their eagerness, and she replied, "The person who is with Kyle now… No, the person who already hooked up with Kyle, even while he and I were in a relationship, is the person you're looking for."The journalists were even more excited right then. In other words, Cordy was saying that Kyle had cheated on her, instead of it being the other way around!What a dramatic turn of events!"Sis, you shouldn't lie in front of the press. I know you just want to distract them and get Starstream out of this crisis, but Kyle has always be
Noel was once again shouting to defend herself. "K-Kyle was just nice enough to teach me to swim!" And once again, no one cared. Then, the third photo was shown, where in a dimly lit karaoke lounge, a drunk Noel was leaning cozily against Kyle, whose hand was under her blouse for some reason."I was drunk. Kyle was such a gentleman, taking care of me…"At the same time, Noel's explanation grew feebler with every photo. Then, came the last photo.It was taken inside a luxurious dressing room on Cordy and Kyle's wedding day.Kyle was in his bridegroom tailcoat, pushing Noel up against his dressing table as they French kissed.Noel's face turned pale right then—her jaw hung ajar, but no words came out.Cordy glanced sideways at Noel, watching Noel as she appeared on wit's end, as if she would break down right then.The conference room was in an uproar as the lights returned. What a dramatic turn of events! To think that Cordy, who had been flamed to no end, had been inno
Meanwhile, the journalists' questions were still coming, each more contemptible than the last as they trampled all over Noel's dignity.She was still crying, unable to accept everything that was happening—that she had been so thoroughly destroyed.Eventually, she bit her lip and worked hard to calm herself, understanding very well that she would not get away without an answer today.Naturally, she was no pushover after years of experience.Cordy was dreaming if she wanted Noel down and out!Though Noel's eyes were flashing dangerously just then, there was a miserable puppy look on her face. "Kyle and I are in love."Cordy sneered. In the end, Noel admitted it. Still, Noel continued, saying, "We were hiding it from my sister because we didn't want her to be sad, and Kyle was even willing to sacrifice himself to marry her. If not for that fire, I would've quietly stepped aside for the sake of their marriage…""Quietly stepped aside?" One of the journalists scoffed. "More like yo
Cordy had no intention of letting Noel weasel her way out of her guilt—certainly not in front of the press."Cheaters and mistresses don't deserve forgiveness," she declared sonorously, enunciating every word.And it was certainly true.There was a reason behind anything, but not cheating!Noel bit her lip right then. Naturally, she knew that her appeal was not going to work with Cordy, so she let her eyes well with tears again and she sobbed. "I know you're still upset, sis. But I believe blood is thicker than water, and time will heal all wounds."'Blood is thicker than water?!'Hold on, that is kind of true. Blood could occasionally be filthier than water!'"Noel Sachs, how do you still have the cheek to talk like that?! Blood is thicker than water?! You don't want to hurt your sisterly bond?!" One of the journalists shouted right then, unable to stand the sheer hypocrisy. "Granted, even if it was as you have said—that right and wrong doesn't matter in love—you're the one w
Naturally, John had sent those recordings to Cordy without saying anything.He probably thought that he could let her take the initiative by giving her all the evidence he needed.She just had to show everything to completely destroy Kyle's reputation, and Kyle would just humiliate himself if he attempted to explain himself at all.And yet, despite all the respect John showed Cordy in this case, she still could not bring herself to trust anyone other than herself.Meanwhile, Noel's face turned deathly pale after listening to the recording.She used to think him handsome and incredible, only for him to turn out to be a bumbling fool, so careless in his work that even Cordy could catch him red-handed!This time, there was no way to explain this. If Kyle was not involved in the attempt to slander Cordy, why would he go out of his way to ask the media to harass Cordy?Whatever explanation they offered would be pointless. "What do you have to say now, Noel Sachs?!" a journalist d
John's lips were slightly pursed.Cordy was even tougher than he had imagined.But what did she have to go through to gain such perseverance? As his long fingers tapped on his phone screen for a while and finished drafting the message, he hesitated to send it.He more or less understood now why Cordy would keep him at arm's reach.After experiencing the sheer cruelty of her reality, she would never come to trust anyone easily.John's phone suddenly started ringing just then, and he answered it impatiently after glancing at the caller ID."Bob," he growled."Did you see the livestream of Cordy Sachs' press conference?!" Bob Davis exclaimed excitedly."I did.""Holy sh*t! That slap in the face was as clean as it was devastating! I actually think I'm in love now."John started to scowl right then, even as Bob continued happily. "By the way, are you hitting it off with her yet? We saw you stand up for her during your grandfather's birthday banquet, but it's like nothing has com
It was only natural that since there were winners, there would be losers too.While Cordy and John were happy, Kyle was absolutely livid.He smashed his phone on the floor, shattering it into pieces, startling Mandy Jessop.She was holding her breath in fear—never did she expect that the press conference would ultimately turn out like that! Now, Noel and her brother were utterly humiliated, and their reputation was dragged through the mud!Still, she was nervously glancing at the phone as articles were soon published about Cordy's press conference. [Cordy Sachs Reveals the Truth: Multiple Photos and Recordings Expose the Affair of Kyle Jessop and Noel Sachs, and Their Conspiracy!]Every netizen was talking about it the instant the article was published.[Holy crap. How disgusting can Kyle Jessop be? To think that I was on his side!][Kyle Jessop and Noel Sachs are utterly heinous! Burglars who cry thief! Shame!][My mind is blown, my world changed forever because of those t
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a