30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 241: Lily Holding Everything

The bodyguards maintained order, ushering the reporters back to their seats. However, the sheer number of attendees meant half the reporters could only stand. Cameramen and equipment filled every inch of the conference room, cramming it to capacity.

"Excuse me, are you part of Blackwood Enterprise’s PR team? Why did you suddenly step in halfway through the press conference?" a reporter stood up and asked. "Is it because you felt the previous spokesperson wasn’t handling the questions properly?"

"Do you think this topic is worth reporting on?" Lily Anderson calmly deflected the question.

Though her sudden appearance raised eyebrows, the press remained focused on one issue: Ethan Blackwood, the Asia-Pacific President of Blackwood Enterprise.

The reporter, unwilling to back down, pressed further. "You’ve denied the allegations that Ethan Blackwood imprisoned and tortured hostages. Do you have any evidence to support this?"

Evidence...

"Then let me ask all of you: what evidence do you have to prove Ethan Blackwood imprisoned and tortured hostages?" Lily countered.

Another reporter, displeased with her response, interjected loudly, "Is Blackwood Enterprise refusing to address this issue directly? Ethan Blackwood was seen leaving the villa where hostages were held. The entire scene was clearly captured on video, and he only got out by begging the military for help!"

Direct response...

"The villa in question is not property owned by Ethan Blackwood, nor was he the one negotiating with the military that day. As for the malicious and unfounded accusations against Ethan Blackwood, Blackwood Enterprise reserves the right to pursue legal action," Lily answered firmly. Though her voice was hoarse, her words were clear and decisive.

Her reply was met with mocking laughter and jeers from the journalists. One reporter even smirked and asked sarcastically, "He’s the Asia-Pacific President of Blackwood Enterprise—why would he need to personally get his hands dirty? Are you seriously saying that just because the villa isn’t under his name proves he had nothing to do with this?"

Lily turned her gaze to the reporter and said coldly, "Please take note of this gentleman’s name. We do not rule out filing a lawsuit against him for defamation."

Her sharp tone instantly silenced the room, and the once-rowdy crowd of reporters fell quiet.

Standing beside her, Helen felt a wave of nervousness. Such a hardline approach might provoke the media further, leading to exaggerated and inaccurate reports.

"Are you threatening us on behalf of Blackwood Enterprise? Are you trying to suppress the freedom of the press?" the reporter, startled at first, quickly regained his composure and stood up to challenge her.

"It’s people like you who tarnish the ethical standards of journalism. We are not obstructing press freedom, but we ask that you uphold basic journalistic integrity," Lily retorted, refusing to back down.

Lily turned the other journalists’ attention toward him by singling out the reporter. Feeling the weight of their stares, the reporter reluctantly sat down, his face dark with embarrassment.

"Can you tell us about the casualties from the explosion? Were there many deaths or injuries?" another reporter asked, finally steering the discussion toward a critical topic.

Hearing the question she had been waiting for, Lily immediately seized the opportunity. "We are currently unaware of the exact number of casualties. The central government and military have denied us visitation rights, and we have no information about Ethan Blackwood’s condition. His life remains in jeopardy."

Her statement caused an uproar among the media.

"Why are they denying visitation?"

"Is it because Ethan Blackwood is the primary suspect?"

"Are you suggesting that the central government has violated human rights? Are you accusing the central government and military?"

The room erupted into chaos. Reporters fired questions one after another, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of accusations.

Helen quickly said, "Please, media friends, calm down! Stay quiet!"

"I am not making accusations," Lily said firmly, her tone serious. "But I believe we have the right to know about Ethan Blackwood’s current condition rather than being met with constant refusals."

She then turned to look at Helen, who immediately understood her signal. Helen spoke into the microphone, saying, "This concludes today’s press conference. Thank you, everyone."

"Could you say more—"

"Was Ethan Blackwood denied visitation because he’s under heavy suspicion?"

"Is Ethan Blackwood gravely injured? Is his life in danger?"

"Can you provide more details? What’s the truth?"

The reporters surged forward, almost knocking over the podium in their frenzy.

Startled by the commotion, Lily instinctively stepped back. Helen quickly shielded her with an outstretched arm.

Lily was pregnant; if she were jostled or injured in the chaos, it could endanger her child.

The bodyguards and security personnel immediately restored order, allowing Lily to leave the room. With Helen by her side, she hurriedly exited the venue.

As they left, Helen looked at Lily with admiration and whispered, "You can really tell you used to be a journalist. That move you pulled just now—shifting the focus to human rights—was brilliant." Human rights have always been a sensitive topic in the country.

By redirecting the conversation, Lily had successfully defused a hostile situation and turned the narrative in her favor.

Lily remained silent as she walked away, surrounded by bodyguards. Behind her sunglasses, her eyes were hollow. She felt like she was being forced to take one step after another with no way to stop.

She had used this tactic often in the past. When she helped the Carter Group navigate its tax evasion scandal, she pushed Alice Johnson into the spotlight. This time, she had shifted the pressure onto the central government and military.

But all she wanted now was to get Ethan out, no matter the cost.

From inside his white sports car, Alex Carter sat unmoving, his gaze fixed on the screen showing Lily’s departure.

The news headline immediately shifted to: "Human Rights Under Scrutiny: Blackwood Enterprise President Detained by Military, Status Unknown."

The narrative now painted Ethan Blackwood as the victim.

Alex stared out the car window, watching from a distance as Lily emerged from the building, surrounded by bodyguards.

Even though she had displayed such strength and resolve at the podium, her figure still appeared frail.

Alex could tell she had been forcing herself to stay strong during the press conference.

Her hand, buried in her coat pocket, had been clenched into a fist the entire time, bulging the fabric. Sweat glistened on her forehead, betraying her anxiety and fear.

And yet, despite it all, she had turned the chaotic conference into a controlled narrative.

She was bearing the grief of her father’s death, yet she still stood up to shield Ethan.

Was it worth it?

Was Ethan Blackwood really worth this much from her?

On the scales of her heart, Alex Carter... had always been insignificant.

His phone rang again. Thinking it was Alice, Alex frowned and was about to turn it off, but he realized it was someone else.

Answering the call, a nervous voice came through the receiver. "Young Master, we lost them on the way. When we followed them to the club, it was already empty. Could the hostages have been dealt with?"

"Lily wouldn’t kill anyone. Keep searching," Alex replied calmly.

"Understood."

The hostages couldn’t be found?

Lily... you’re more resourceful than I expected.

Let’s see who wins this game.

Another call came in, this time from Alice’s father. Alex answered with a warm smile. "Uncle Johnson."

"You said you’d help me secure political achievements without fail, but now I’m being accused of detaining people. What’s going on?" Mr. Johnson’s tone was laced with frustration.

"Don’t worry, Uncle Johnson. I’ll handle it," Alex replied smoothly before hanging up and dialing another number.

"Release another round of rumors to the media," he instructed.

"Yes, Young Master."

Lily... I want to see you watch Ethan Blackwood fall apart before your very eyes.

Everything you’ve done to me... I will return to you in full.

When the central government sent someone to meet Lily’s group, it was already late at night. Lily was utterly exhausted, her eyelids drooping, but her mind remained sharp and alert.

Helen, watching her closely, asked for what felt like the hundredth time that day, "Miss Anderson... are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Lily replied, shaking her head.

The person the central government sent was none other than Alice’s father, George Johnson, the former mayor.

In a hospital office, the Blackwood Enterprise legal team presented George Johnson with a stack of legal documents. "We’re here to request the release of Mr. Blackwood."

"Mr. Blackwood is currently a suspect in one of the most severe hostage and abuse cases in the country. The higher-ups have ruled that he cannot be released on bail," Johnson said, his tone strictly professional. He glanced briefly at Lily, who was seated silently across from him.

"This isn’t about bail—it’s about your lack of legal grounds to detain him," one of the lawyers argued firmly.

"The central government is conducting an investigation. If he’s innocent, he’ll be released soon enough," Johnson replied, his gaze dropping to the stack of documents on the table.

"How long? A day? Two days? Or a year or two?" Lily interjected. "What legal grounds are you using to detain him? What evidence do you have?"

"There’s plenty of preliminary evidence. He was seen leaving the villa, and family members have identified two of the deceased as Ethan Blackwood’s bodyguards," Johnson responded confidently. "We have every reason to suspect Ethan Blackwood as the mastermind behind this case."

Lily stayed silent, glancing at the lawyers beside her. One of them quickly spoke up. "And based on this preliminary evidence, you’ve detained Mr. Blackwood?"

"This isn’t an arrest. The investigation is ongoing," Johnson said cautiously.

"Then under what legal grounds is Mr. Blackwood being held here?" the lawyer pressed.

Lily tightened her grip on her sleeve, her anxiety mounting.

"It’s a temporary detention," Johnson finally admitted.

"Legally, temporary detention permits visitation. We have the right to know about Mr. Blackwood’s condition, and you cannot deny us access," the lawyer argued, placing another legal document in front of Johnson.

Johnson paused, then looked at Lily and chuckled. "I underestimated you."

The woman by Ethan Blackwood’s side... was no pushover.

"Can we see him now?" Lily asked, standing up.

Johnson’s expression darkened slightly. "You can visit him, but there will be time restrictions."

As Lily turned to leave, Johnson’s voice followed her. "You’ve been lying to the media, saying you’ve already seen Ethan Blackwood."

"Would you have agreed to meet us so quickly if that were true?" Lily retorted, glancing back at him.

"Go ahead and see him, but don’t think you can pull any tricks to get him out of here," Johnson warned.

"I want to bring in our own doctors. I don’t trust yours," Lily said, turning to the lawyer. "Is that possible?"

"Of course. Given Mr. Blackwood’s condition, this falls under special circumstances," the lawyer replied quickly. He turned to Johnson. "We request permission to have our doctors join the treatment of Mr. Blackwood."

Johnson stared at Lily for a moment before finally saying, "Fine. Let’s see what tricks you come up with next."

"Thank you," Lily replied calmly.

As they left the office, Helen whispered to Lily, "I’ll arrange for someone to bribe the bodyguards’ families and have them change their statements."

"Do it," Lily said with a nod. "Thank you."

"It’s my responsibility," Helen replied. "Mr. Blackwood may be tough on us sometimes, but he’s always been fair."