Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Collapsing in Front of Everyone, Faking a Faint

Seeing the middle-aged man stepping onto the stage, Fiona Vaughn staggered back in shock.

Why is Chairman Goldsmith here!

Clearly, at the Radiant Group’s relocation ceremony, both Chairman Goldsmith and her mother Florence Warner lost face. Fiona knew it was an embarrassing affair, so she paid a good sum to appease Goldsmith and even let that old man take advantage of her before the matter was finally suppressed.

But now, why is Chairman Goldsmith showing up here?

Fiona’s heart sank bit by bit, a sense of dread flashing through her mind.

She hurried forward, gave Chairman Goldsmith a knowing smile, and tried to seize the initiative.

"Director Goldsmith, what brings you here? Are you planning to speak up for me at this press conference, and clear my and my mother’s names?"

This is a live broadcast, after all. Chairman Goldsmith is none other than the head of Kane Motion Pictures Group—a prominent figure in Stellerton. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to air his own dirty laundry here, would he?

...

Fiona tried to smother her unease. If not for the crowd of reporters around her, she would’ve loved nothing more than to tape that old man’s mouth shut!

Goldsmith was far scarier than that previous black-market medicine dealer!

At least the latter had no fame or status, so she could’ve hired online trolls to fight back. But Chairman Goldsmith was infamous for his cunning in the industry. If he said something he shouldn’t, public opinion would be impossible to rein back!

Chairman Goldsmith shot Fiona a cold glance. Her temples throbbed, heart climbing into her throat.

That look...!

She couldn’t care anymore. Rushing over, she whispered a warning only the two could hear.

"Director Goldsmith, right now we’re in the same boat. If you spill, it’ll be ugly for you, too."

The reporters below only saw Fiona rush up to Goldsmith, seemingly whispering something. Everyone’s curiosity was piqued, but they couldn’t catch a word.

Just as the crowd was dying with curiosity, they saw Chairman Goldsmith ignore Fiona completely, clear his throat, and step up to the standing microphone.

"Good evening to all viewers watching on TV, and greetings to all the journalists present. I believe everyone following this incident is quite familiar with me, Goldsmith. I happen to be one of the most crucial witnesses at the scene..."

This kind of formal, polite opening was really unlike Goldsmith’s usual slyness...

Fiona’s brows knitted together, almost wishing she could bore a hole into Goldsmith’s back with her glare.

Reporters in the crowd perked up even more, and a few bold ones even stuck their microphones right in front of Goldsmith for the story.

"Chairman Goldsmith, by coming here, are you planning to explain what happened at Radiant Group’s celebration last time?"

"At Radiant Group’s relocation ceremony, you publicly stripped off your clothes—was there some compelling reason?"

"Chairman Goldsmith, are you here to clear Miss Fiona Vaughn’s name in this live broadcast?"

"Chairman Goldsmith, please answer!"

...

Facing the barrage of pressing questions, sweat beaded on Chairman Goldsmith’s forehead.

He cast glances toward the black-suited bodyguards at the door, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Remembering the instructions from that powerful figure, no matter how nervous or scared Goldsmith was, he had to put on a humble, remorseful act now.

"I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to strip off my clothes in public at Radiant Group’s celebration."

"I did not come here to clear Fiona Vaughn’s name. The truth is, I’ve been plagued by guilt, so I’m here to apologize to the Eldest Miss Vaughn!"

His words were like thunder striking the room!

The reporters stared at each other in shock, jaws nearly dropping—Apologize to the Eldest Miss Vaughn? Is there more to this than it seems?

Fiona’s hands began trembling uncontrollably!

Just what she feared, it’s happening!

She absolutely cannot let Chairman Goldsmith keep talking!

Gritting her teeth, Fiona squeezed in front of the standing microphone. Her beautiful face was full of fragile sorrow, as if eaten up with guilt.

"I know what Chairman Goldsmith wants to say. That day, he drank too much and lost his manners under the influence. Not only was his speech out of line, but he also accidentally wandered into my sister’s hotel room by mistake, which scared her."

"Chairman Goldsmith is willing to apologize on live national television out of regard for the Goldsmith and Vaughn families’ reputations. I appreciate the gesture for my sister’s sake, but I hope you won’t overdrink again."

As Fiona spoke, her teary eyes sparkled with vulnerability, and her shoulders gave a slight shudder, making her seem delicate and pitiable.

Yet every word distanced herself and Florence Warner from responsibility, placing the entire fault on Goldsmith’s ’drunkenness.’

She even subtly threatened Goldsmith not to say more, using the Goldsmith and Vaughn families’ honor.

...

Watching the live broadcast at home, Cecilia Vaughn couldn’t help but curl her lips with irony as she heard Fiona’s impassioned speech.

"When did I ever let Fiona forgive anyone on my behalf?"

Who does Fiona think she is? The Virgin Mary?!

Adrian Law smirked quietly and brushed his hand over Cecilia’s furrowed brow.

"Cecilia, keep watching. The real show’s yet to come."

Cecilia leaned into Adrian’s arms. Feeling the warmth of his palm, her previously simmering anger slowly faded away.

She couldn’t help entwining her fingers with his, their hands locked together.

"Adrian, thank you. I know—it had to be you who got Chairman Goldsmith here."

She didn’t have Adrian’s kind of influence, able to bring in someone like Chairman Goldsmith.

Finding that black-market medicine dealer was already a feat; Cecilia had put in so much effort. But in the public’s eyes, the drug dealer’s word could never compare to someone wealthy and influential like Goldsmith.

Adrian pinched her cheek, his eyes soft and full of indulgence.

"Silly Cecilia, how many times have I told you—no more ’thank you’ between husband and wife. A husband protecting his wife, isn’t that only right?"

...

Back at the press conference, the whole scene was fraught with tension.

Because Chairman Goldsmith completely ignored Fiona, instead bowing deeply to the audience and detonating a bombshell!

"To the Eldest Miss Vaughn, I am deeply sorry. I lost my head that day—and did as Mrs. Vaughn and Fiona Vaughn told me, planning to drug the Eldest Miss Vaughn. That was utterly despicable of me!"

Fiona listened in shock, but as the reporters grasped what was happening, they swarmed around her.

"Miss Fiona, is what Chairman Goldsmith said true?"

"Sending your stepsister to be assaulted by an old man—how vicious can you be! Won’t you explain yourself?!"

"I...I..."

Fiona’s face turned deathly pale. Unable to find any way to respond, her body went limp and she fainted on the spot—