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Chapter 5
“Have you remarried? Any new kids?”
The conversation took an unexpected turn, and soon, the media’s gaze was fixed on me, accusing me of abandoning my children and elderly father.
The crowd started to murmur, painting me as a terrible daughter and an even worse mother.
“My sister was really young and maybe a little impulsive back then, Eloise addressed the reporters with a disarming smile at the camera. “She didn’t mean to. Now that she’s back, let’s not dredge up the past.”
“Isn’t she just so considerate?”
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nę, e
ind d
ed
e
e
e’s
“Haard to believe, isn’t it? Twenty yearera wiwithout so much as a visit to her parere chabildren?”
“Whahat mom does that? Her poor kids s must’véve had it rough.”
Whisperers/swirled around me, every wor clearly aualliblible.
Seeing my silsilence, the media pressed a
“Miss Hawkesesworth.how does it feel attending your stepepsister and ex–husba wedding anniversasaty today?”
I glanced at my fathenee reigning frailty, a at Eloise, who, while presesenting a victim h–front, took every opportunity to defile m
naname.
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C Composed, I replied, “I’m here te toedeliver
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gift. As for why I left back then, I’m not ready to discuss it. But let me clarify a few things. First, I’m not married. Second, I’ve adopted three children. And finally, I didn’t simply abandon my biological kids.”
“What?”
“Three kids now?”
The crowd burst into another round of
commotion.
“I’ve also built my career in Australia,” I continued. “In fact, I’m connected with Lachlan Greer–you know, the richest man in the world. Today, I’ve brought an unreleased product from his company, Electronix Robotics. It’s an Al dog, a gift for my stepsister and ex–husband on their 20th anniversary. Feel free to take a look.”
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dydy
IS.S. ded
th
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ThThe reporters immediately turned there snapapping photos of the Al dog.g
Meteanwhile, Juniper, who had been obse frorom the sidelines, gaped at me in disbe unabible to grasp that I actually knew the world’s ‘s wealthiest man.
I underststood why they orchestrated this whole celebraration. Griffergy Tech was g public, neediding the publicity to boost st prices. Thenei2020–year perfect marriage” merely a PRmoveve. So, leaked the truth about Eloise playaying the homewrecker v drove me back to thehle.U.S.
They had to pull menin itotexexplain. The m Hthe issue was aired, thehledtetter it would I S–supported their IPO.O.
B But their scheme backfirede dnststead, les ththe opportunity to promote teachchan’s Al
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perfectly timed for its launch next week.
After the reporters departed, Eloise dropped her charade. She shattered her wine glass and screamed, “You did that on purpose to steal my spotlight! You’re envious of me!
- You can’t stand my happiness, so you ruined everything! The media didn’t care about me- they only wanted photos of that dumb robot dog. Why’d you come back?”
Orson stood beside her, helpless to intervene, then turned to me and said, “Clarisse, I know you’re still stuck on me. That’s why you wanted to get back at Eloise today. It’s been 20 years! Can’t you move on?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Orson, have you looked in a mirror lately? With that beer belly and greasy face? You think I’m still interested?”
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“Wait, do you really know Lachlan Greer?” Juniper interjected, unable to contain himself.
“Yes, and we’re close.”
“Then introduce Griffergy Tech to him! If we partner with Electronix Robotics, it’ll elevate our company!”
I just stared at him. The shamelessness of these two–it really must be a family trait.
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