Chapter 8
The press conference shocked the entire nation, drawing massive attention and trending across all platforms.
Everyone kept talking about the final statement I made during the event.
With me, a well–known director, leading the way by being the first to expose the truth.
Others had been hurt by Alisha’s fake charity work but were too afraid to speak up because of her influence and Adam’s pressure.
They finally found the courage to come forward and began reporting her crimes one after another.
“I’m a teacher at an underprivileged elementary school. Alisha signed a contract promising to donate winter coats for all our students. We didn’t request funding from other sources because of her commitment. Still, the children had fevers and colds while her donations never
arrived.”
“And me! Alisha promised to pay for my father’s surgery, so I stopped my online fundraiser. My father’s condition worsened until he died, and we never received a penny from her.”
“Let me add something! Those heartwarming videos of Alisha visiting sick children were completely fake! I worked there during those visits. She was disgusted the whole time and wouldn’t even touch the food. She called the children ‘dirty little disease carriers‘ and ‘sources of
contamination‘!”
“I also have something to say…”
One after another, witnesses and victims stepped forward to reveal the truth.
Alisha’s carefully crafted image as a kind–hearted, wealthy beauty crumbled instantly.
With the police now involved, the entire case became a formal investigation.
All those little games Alisha and Adam played would never have stayed hidden without my trust and large sums of money to keep them quiet. Now, under investigation, all their criminal actions have been exposed.
On the third day after the press conference, I received a call from Adam’s lawyer.
“Ms. Hayes, Mr. Maxwell would like to see you.”
I remained silent for a long while before agreeing to meet with Adam.
I stared at the divorce papers sitting on the table.
I figured Adam and I definitely needed to have a proper conversation.
I never imagined someone as refined and arrogant as Adam would one day wear an orange prison jumpsuit. He sat in handcuffs, confined to a small, square cell in the detention center.
11:09 AM
<
we locked eyes, both unable to speak for what felt like forever.
Adam finally broke the silence.
“Charlotte, you don’t want to see me or hear my apologies. I’m sorry, Charlotte. Your mother’s death, your car accident, the lasting effects… I feel regret and guilt every moment for what I did to you both. Alisha and I grew up together, and she always wanted to be famous… That day before the surgery, she kept saying she was scared of dying on the operating table. The media constantly reported on her bone marrow donation, and she said it was the first time she’d received so much attention. The pressure was too much, so she made that terrible mistake. She promised it wouldn’t happen again… But now, with all these people coming forward with accusations, I realize she’d done so much more wrong than I knew. Charlotte, please believe me. From beginning to end, I tried everything to get the doctors to save your mother’s life. I never meant for her to die, I…”
Slap!
The sound rang out sharp and clear.
My hand across his face cut his words short.
He didn’t dodge, but I still wasn’t satisfied.
I raised my hand high and slapped him again with the back of my hand.
“You’re worried about Alisha dying on the operating table? Did you ever think that my mother was lying on that same table? That was a real human life! She gave birth to me and raised me! If Alisha was so afraid of dying, why did she volunteer to be a donor in the first place? Did I force her? Did my mother force her to donate?!”
My voice shook with overwhelming anger.
“Alisha had so many chances! She had many opportunities to back out, and I would have had time to find another donor. Why didn’t she just say something? Right before they wheeled my mother into surgery, the doctor even confirmed with Alisha one last time if she was really willing to go through with it! She’s nothing but a selfish murderer! Adam, what gives you and her the right to play with someone else’s life and death? What makes you think I should forgive you?”
