Day Forty-Four...
~~*****~~
Abigail's heart clenched after knowing that the old man sitting in the wheelchair was none other than the Patriarch of the Yan Family... the real Abigail's grandfather.
'He looks unwell. Is he gravely ill?' Abigail got worried about the old man's health. Though he was staring at her with those angry eyes, Abigail was saddened to see him in this current state. The old man looked so weak.
'He is Abi's grandfather... There is no time to spare. The real Abigail should be back to the Yan Family.' She thought to herself. She became more determined to help the real Abigail reunite with her family.
She deserved to be with them. She grew up in an orphanage with the thought of being abandoned by her family. But her family didn't abandon her. They were searching for her all these years. Nathan informed her about this.
Abigail's Aunt, Madam Priyanshi, never stopped searching for her. They were still hoping that she was alive. She didn't know how she got separated from her family but Phantomflake wanted to know the truth. Before she returned to her original body, she would do her best to bring the real Abigail back to her family.
She understood why the old man was mad at her. He was being manipulated by the middle-aged woman standing next to him- Madam Lu! Abigail could sense that the woman had something to do with this. She fed the old man some lies. The old man thought she was responsible for Nadia's heartache.
'Grandpa... just give me chance to explain myself and clear my name,' Abigail thought to herself. Then she was surprised by herself as she just naturally called him grandpa. There was no hint of awkwardness at all.
Abigail stood up from her chair and traced her steps in the direction of the old man. Everyone in the venue was silent. Their eyes only followed Abigail as she bravely approached the Yan Patriarch. They had to commend her for having the courage to get near the angry patriarch despite the scandal she was facing.
Old Master Yan was also caught off guard when Abigail stood in front of him. He clenched his fists, trying his best to control his rage. Abigail showed respect by bowing her head. Then she spoke to the old man with utmost sincerity.
"Sir... I'm here to apologize for making you come here personally. I promise that I will explain everything regarding this matter. Please hear me out first, before judging me. Please give me a chance... to clear my name." Abigail humbled herself in front of the old man.
Old Master Yan was rendered speechless. He didn't see this coming. He thought Abigail Scarlett was arrogant. But he was mistaken. He didn't expect that she would confidently stand before him as she respectfully asked him to hear her explanation.
The old man maintained his cold demeanor but he waved his hand, giving her his go signal. Abigail smiled at him with a grateful look in her eyes. She turned around and headed back to the front. She would now accept questions from the reporters.
As Old Master Yan watched Abigail's back, he couldn't explain why he easily gave in to her request. His anger lessened after talking to her. He was looking forward to her justification. He would assess if she was lying or telling the truth. He didn't know if this lady was a two-faced woman. But his heart seemed to tell him to listen to her.
Madam Lu, on the other hand, was unhappy because Old Master Yan didn't show his wrath when facing Abigail a while ago. She expected him to lash out at her and criticize her in front of everyone. However, it didn't happen. Abigail even managed to calm the old man down.
'This is not good. My brother is supposed to give this bitch a lesson. Why is he giving her a chance to explain?' Madam Lu clenched her jaw, her bloodshot eyes directed at Abigail. She became anxious. What if her plan backfired?
"Okay. I'm ready to accommodate and entertain all your questions." Abigail declared to them as she tossed a look at every reporter present there.
The first reporter in Table Number One got his first turn to ask her a question.
Reporter 1: "What were you doing in that photo? You and Richard Chang were caught in the act as you both entered an executive suite in EDSJ Five Star Hotel on the night of the Star Gala.
Abigail sighed as she already heard this question thrice today. "That executive room belongs to someone, an investor and a producer of my upcoming movie project. Richard and I went there to meet him. You can verify this fact once you go to EDSJ Five-Star Hotel. You can fact-check by checking who booked that hotel room. You can also check the CCTV footage in that hall. CEO Chang and I were not the only people entering that room."
After saying that, Abigail glanced at Madam Lu and added, "You can also ask Madam Lu, Madam Priyanshi, Amara, and Nadia to confirm this fact. As reporters, you have the obligation to check the facts first before posting your articles. I can sue you for slandering my name." Abigail made sure to warn and threaten everyone who spread false rumors.
Reporter 2: "Everyone in the entertainment industry is aware that CEO Chang treasures you so much. Even your fellow artists in Star Corp believe that there is special treatment and favoritism. A few months ago, there were rumors going around that you were CEO's Chang secret lover. Miss Scarlett."
"Pardon, what is your question, Mr. Reporter?" Abigail was a little bit impatient.
Reporter 2: "This one is confirmed. Richard Chang and Nadia Patel broke up last night. Someone saw Miss Nadia leaving the hotel while crying. Were you the reason why they broke up?"
Abigail rolled her eyes skyward. "This is something I can't answer. Only CEO Chang and Miss Patel knew the reason why they broke up. And please... don't pester them. They are both having a hard time at this moment. Please respect their privacy... more especially their feelings. You... reporters are making things worse for them." Abigail couldn't stop herself from talking with sarcasm.
Reporter 3: "The news article online said that you seduced CEO Chang and urged him to continue his relationship with Miss Nadia Patel because of her wealth. What can you say about this?"
Abigail let out a sarcastic laugh. "Are you insulting and criticizing the relationship between CEO Chang and Miss Patel? You sound like CEO Chang is only after the money and wealth of Miss Nadia. Haven't you thought about it? What if this kind of mindset was the reason that forced the couple to break up?"
"Let me clear this thing to everyone. I already have a boyfriend. Why would I seduce CEO Chang?" Abigail finally revealed her private relationship.
The reporters gasped in surprise. For all these years, Abigail Scarlett refused to admit that she was in a relationship. Was she just using this to clear her name and wash her hands about the break-up of her CEO and Miss Nadia Patel?
Reporter 4: "Who is your boyfriend, Miss Abi? Is he your childhood sweetheart you've mentioned before?"
Before Abigail could answer that certain question, the other door of the conference room was pushed open and Nathan Sparks came into their view. Everyone glanced at him with surprised expressions on their faces.
"I'm Abigail's Boyfriend," Nathan declared to them in his authoritative voice.
Everyone: "..."
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