Chapter 503

In the blink of an eye, the day of the press conference arrived.

At five o’clock sharp, media from all corners gathered in the grandest ballroom of the hotel, setting up cameras, adjusting angles, and whipping out laptops in anticipation of Bertha’s appearance.

“Man, I thought Jeff or Matthew would be the face of this mess, not Bertha. This lady’s got some real nerve–her husband’s behind bars, and she’s still got the energy to host a press conference? Can she even sleep at night?”

“Those Chambers men are sharp cookies. They’re using Bertha as a human shield, making her the target!”

“Tsk, tsk, there’s no love lost in that family, poor Bertha.”

“Poor? Gardner’s backdoor dealings raked in millions, enough to keep him in an orange jumpsuit for life. You really think she didn’t get a cut of that dirty money? As if! It’s every man for himself now that trouble’s hit!”

Soon, seven o’clock struck.

Bertha walked up to the stage with the look of a widow at a funeral, her face bare of any makeup. Dressed in a solemn black suit, she stood before the thorny forest of microphones.

The blinding flashes swallowed her weary features as she bowed deeply to the multitude of lenses, her eyes rimmed red with tears.

The reporters launched their sharp questions.

“Bertha! The nation is shocked by Edgar’s sudden arrest, especially since he was a favorite for Elmsworth’s mayoral race. Did you know about his actions?”

“I didn’t know.”

Tears brimmed in Bertha’s eyes as she portrayed the image of an innocent wife, “I’m just a housewife, devoted to my husband and children. I never pried into his work affairs. As for who he met with privately, the bribes he accepted, I knew nothing about it! Besides, I come from the Chambers family, one of the big four families. I have no need for such petty cash at the cost of my conscience and reputation!”

“Do you truly claim ignorance to Mr. Gardner’s deeds?”

A male reporter suddenly emerged, his voice loud and clear, drawing all eyes to him, “Everyone knows how Mr. Gardner rose from an unremarkable prosecutor to a prime mayoral candidate with an extraordinary career trajectory. Surely, the Chambers family hasn’t held back in supporting him! Moreover, I’ve interviewed several employees who worked closely with both you and your husband, and they all say you are the real strategist behind Mr. Gardner, the mastermind planning every move. To elevate Mr. Gardner, you pulled strings, leveraging the Chambers family’s influence to exert pressure in all directions. Are you truly blameless?”

Bertha glared at the reporter, her eyes flooding with tears, as she shook her head in denial, “That’s not true. I don’t know which outlet you represent; but you’re attacking me and my family with baseless rumors. As I said, I was unaware of my husband’s actions! However, as his wife, I admit I have failed in my duties to supervise. That’s why I’ve called this press conference–to apologize to the nation for my husband’s mistakes.”

Before she could finish, the reporter played a recording.

It was a confession from one of Edgar’s employees, matching the reporter’s claims!

Spectators looked askance at Bertha, waiting for her explanation.

“He’s lying! That’s a back–stabber taking advantage of the situation!”

she was on the verge of collapse, “He’s trying to smear my name! When my husband fell, he was bought off by the opposition.

piercing shriek cut across the room!

then, a clear recording played

sending my way lately are exquisite, and our clients are more than pleased. Plus, their fortunes seem to match well with the clients‘, boosting their luck. You know how these powerful men

thrive?”

patronage, Mrs. Gardner! You’ve

benefits right? Remember to send any suitable girls my way. The price

speakers, each word striking

with anger, piercing her like a

elegant society lady

Chambers family had nurtured a nest of festering

That’s not me!”

blood had rushed there, almost screaming hysterically, “The recording is fake! It’s all fake! I don’t know any Clairvoyant. The

Bertha, how do you explain this?” The reporter held up his

moment, every journalist’s phone

  1. i.

unison, and the news alert was a video

a secret recording, her misdeeds were now laid bare for all to see!

“Miss Chambers!”

the stage, grabbing the stiff Bertha and pulling her offstage, “I’ve been

before he could finish, the ballroom doors burst open!

plainclothes officers, stormed in with the force

“Police!”

full view of all, “Bertha, you are hereby arrested on charges of bribery, coercing women into prostitution, and illegal detention! You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Take her

officers stepped forward, clamping the icy handcuffs on the shaking Bertha. Flanking her on each

that had just hit the ten–million mark! The frenzy was

God! Is high society really this cutthroat? A heiress caught running

themselves up to rub elbows with the Ashbournes. Talk about putting on airs!]

Bertha, flopping around like a seal, just like her hubby did when he got collared! Match made in infamy!], [Despicable! How could someone stoop so low? Here’s hoping the authorities keep digging

who led the charge? Wow… he’s a real looker! Like something out of a fashion magazine, am

a hood or to hide Bertha’s cuffed wrists from the public gaze as he

offers no immunity.

law, they face the

her reckoning, the

been hounding Bertha on the scene ducked into a secluded corner, stripping off glasses, a wig,

away, Gordon’s earnest face

his props in a trash can, he eagerly dialed Thaddeus, barely containing his excitement..

and Mrs. Abernathy catch the live coverage of the

your acting was top–notch. Tonight, you’ve

Smooch-

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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