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!”

smear my name! When my husband fell, he was bought

she could finish, a piercing shriek cut across the room!

played for all to

their fortunes seem to match well with the clients‘, boosting their luck. You know how

thrive?”

Gardner! You’ve introduced plenty of generous clients to

suitable girls my way. The

through the speakers, each word striking the audience’s

gazes at Bertha filled with

seemingly noble and elegant society lady was involved in such shady

had nurtured a nest

not me!”

“The recording is fake!

explain this?” The

every journalist’s phone started ringing

  1. i.

all looked down at their screens in unison, and the news alert was a

were now laid

“Miss Chambers!”

guard rushed to the stage, grabbing the stiff Bertha and pulling her offstage, “I’ve

finish, the ballroom

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

stepped forward, clamping the icy handcuffs on the shaking Bertha. Flanking her on each side, they escorted the petrified woman toward the

had gone live, streaming to an audience that had just hit the ten–million mark! The

cutthroat? A heiress caught running an escort service to pad the family fortune? This is straight–up

high rollers? Puffing themselves up to rub elbows with the Ashbournes. Talk about putting

made in infamy!], [Despicable! How could someone stoop so low? Here’s hoping the authorities keep digging into the

cop who led the charge? Wow… he’s a

didn’t bother with a hood or to hide Bertha’s cuffed wrists from the public gaze as he put her in the patrol car letting everyone bear

no

they face the music just like anybody

reckoning, the drama was far from

into a secluded corner, stripping off glasses, a wig, and a

Gordon’s earnest face was

trash can, he eagerly dialed

live coverage of the press conference?

Tonight, you’ve earned yourself an

Smooch-

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

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