Chapter 391: Trying To Avoid Gossip?
It was expected to meet Christian here. After all, this was DR Group’s press conference.
But looking at the way he was walking towards them, it was obvious that he had been waiting for them.
Wendy and Todd behaved as though they were oblivious to what was happening.
They continued smiling and walked away.
But it seemed like Christian didn’t get that Wendy was trying to avoid him. He purposely walked towards them.
"Mr. Lewis and Ms. Swift! You are here!" Christian called out welcomingly.
"Of course, we will be here. How could we miss it since you have so kindly invited us?" Wendy replied in a polite yet formal way. "Are we late?"
"Not at all. Your timing is perfect." Just as Christian finished talking, a waiter came by with a tray of drinks.
Christian picked up a glass of red wine and pointed to Wendy, suggesting that she should also try the wine.
The waiter was alert enough to pick up the signal. So, he quickly brought the tray over for her to choose her drink.
It would be inappropriate for her to turn down Christian’s offer in front of so many people. She couldn’t find any reason to say no to him.
Keeping her smile, she reached out to pick up the glass. But before she could do that, Todd beat her to the task.
He took a glass of wine in one hand and held Wendy’s hand in the other.
He knew that Wendy didn’t want to drink. She was just stuck because the people were watching her, and she couldn’t decline Christian’s offer.
With a smile on his face, Todd lifted his glass and proposed a toast to Christian, "Here’s to you, Mr. Lucas."
"I can see that Mr. Lewis really dotes on his girlfriend," laughed Christian. He turned to the others and continued, "The rumor about the two of them being loving is true indeed!"
Todd didn’t want to waste any more time with Christian. He simply tilted his head back and finished the wine.
He turned his glass over, and the last bit fell to the ground. He smiled and hinted, "Mr. Lucas."
Todd didn’t say much, but everyone was clear of his intention.
He had finished his drink, and now it was Christian’s turn.
Without a word, Christian also picked up his drink and finished it in one gulp. He did exactly what Todd did - turned his glass over.
Both of them placed their wine glasses on the tray at the same time.
He thought that after this, Christian should move on to entertain other guests.
Who knew that Christian would go a step further and said, "Looks like Mr. Lewis can hold his drink very well. After the press conference is over, I must look for you and have a drinking session together. Just nice that I have not seen Ms. Swift for a long time. We can have a good catch-up session together."
"You are the main lead for today. You have so many guests and also many extinguished guests around. I think I will give the drinking session a miss. I won’t want to take up too much of your time," Todd rejected the offer politely.
"How can you say that you are taking up my time?" Christian retorted. "You and Ms.
Swift are both my extinguished guests too. You came all the way to Lake City to attend this press conference organized by DR Group. It is only right for me to take good care of the two of you."
"Thank you for your kind thoughts," replied Todd.
Wendy was standing by the side, listening to their conversation. She didn’t say a word.
Christian took a glance at the entrance, and a scheming smile crept up his face. He spoke louder than usual, responding to Todd, "Please don’t be so formal, Mr. Lewis.
When you and Ms. Swift get married in the future, it’s going to be a powerful union.
We might have even more opportunities to work together!"
The first thing Michael heard upon entering the hotel was Christian’s comments.
His expression was already solemn. But upon hearing him, it got even more serious.
The next thing he heard were the noises of the reporters fighting to ask questions.
Chapter 1074 This Seating Arrangement Was Trying To Stir Up Trouble "Mr. Lucas, why are you here for Mr. Christian Lucas’ press conference?"
"Mr. Lucas, rumors have it that you are having issues with your fiance, Ms.
Collins. We heard that you hit her so badly that she almost had a miscarriage. Can you confirm this?"
"Mr. Lucas, did you know that your ex-wife would be bringing her boyfriend to today’s event?"
"Ms. Collins, is your relationship with Mr. Lucas like what the rumors said? Can you disclose some details to us?"
"Ms. Collins, what are your thoughts about Mr. Lucas’ ex-wife, Wendy Stewart? How do you feel about meeting her here today?"
....
Michael never liked answering these types of nonsensical questions from the reporters.
But the woman next to him seemed eager to prove something. Yonina held onto his arms a little tighter and put on a brilliant smile for the cameras. She responded to the reporters, "My relationship with Michael is doing very well. There is no problem at all. Don’t listen to all those fake news.
"As for whether Michael knew about Ms. Swift being here today, I guess not. But even if he had known beforehand, it would make no difference. Surely as an older brother, he needs to be here to celebrate for his younger brother.
"We don’t mix personal matters with business.
"Losing a deal is common in the business world. It doesn’t affect our relationships.
"Lastly, I knew from the beginning that Michael is a divorcee. And since everyone knows that she is history, it certainly doesn’t bother me at all.
"I’m happy to see Mr. Lewis and Ms. Swift doing so well together.
"Conversely, I’m sure Ms. Swift is also happy for Michael and me."
"But weren’t you admitted to the hospital for two days? The reporters took photos of you in the hospital."
"According to our insider’s news, on the day of submission of the tender, Mr. Lucas suspected that you had disclosed the details of his proposal to Mr. Christian Lucas.
And he got so angry that he hit you."
"So, Ms. Collins, were you hospitalized for the past two days?"
....
Yonina held on to her patience as she responded to the reporters’ questions.
By now, Michael’s gaze had subconsciously turned to Wendy.
Wendy looked so brilliant tonight.
But the person next to her, Todd, was such an eyesore.
When he realized that they were wearing a set meant for a couple, he couldn’t help but frown.
Are they trying to show off their loving relationship on such an occasion?
"Today is Mr. Christian Lucas’ show. Please go and interview him. We shall not steal his limelight," Yonina politely rejected the rest of the questions.
She shook Michael’s arm gently and whispered, "Let’s go in first."
Michael grunted in agreement and moved forward.
When they passed by Wendy, Yonina smiled and greeted, "Ms. Swift, Mr. Lewis, it has been a long time."
"Yes, indeed," Wendy nodded her head in greeting.
Michael didn’t say much. He just acknowledged her with a nod.
If they didn’t greet each other at all, the reporters would surely write negative things about their relationship.
But if they were too friendly, the reporters would also write things about them.
So, such distant yet polite greetings were the best strategy.
Since the press conference was about to start, they initially thought they would be safe from the reporters after getting into their seats.
But the moment they saw their name tags on the seats, they instinctively exchanged glances.
Michael and Yonina were to be seated next to them.
They were all seated in the first row, but Michael and Wendy’s seats were right in the middle.
And Todd and Yonina were seated to their left and right accordingly.
This seating arrangement was obviously trying to stir up trouble.
....
The name tags on the seats were already set.
With so many people watching, it would be inappropriate to change seats. Certainly not under the watchful eyes of the reporters.
Wendy and Michael exchanged glances. Neither made any comments.
Michael settled down in the seat first.
Wendy could only follow suit.
By this time, the reporters had noticed that they were seated together. They turned their cameras on them and were busy clicking away.
Wendy was irritated at all the flashes but still had to keep her smiles.
Finally, it was 7 p.m.
The host took to the stage.
"Thank you, everyone, for being here at the press conference organized by Mr.
Christian Lucas from the DR Group. I am your host for today. My name is Ron Chad."
After the formal welcome speech, Christian went up to take over the stage.
"Hello, everyone. I’m Christian Lucas. Thank you for doing me the honor by being here in this press conference." Christian spoke confidently, addressing the crowd with a smile on his face. "Please feel free to ask any questions about the development issues in the second and third-tier cities. I would be glad to answer them all to the best of my abilities."
"Mr. Lucas, can you share with us the developmental plan for the second and third-tier cities?"
"Sure. The main objective of this project is... " answered Christian.
The press conference was so dull.
But sitting in the first row, Wendy dared not let her guard down. She knew the cameras were on her.
If she was not careful, who knew what would come out in the newspapers tomorrow?
Half an hour had passed, Wendy was feeling the ache from wearing her heels. She decided to adjust her position.
But her movement accidentally knocked Michael’s leg.
Michael instinctively turned around and looked at her.
"Sorry," Wendy said embarrassingly.
"It’s ok." Michael seemed unbothered by what happened.
But Todd noticed what happened. He pulled on Wendy’s hand and whispered, "Why don’t you shift more to my side?"
Wendy was seated too close to Michael.
The seats between Todd and her were instead placed farther apart.
For those unaware, they might have thought it was them who had shifted the chairs.
Pressing her lips together, Wendy shifted her weight towards Todd’s side.
Her movement immediately drew the attention of the reporters. They were once again busy clicking on their cameras.
Tonight’s press conference was on the live stream. Many people were following on different online platforms.
Suddenly there was a frenzy of comments on these platforms.
"Look, look! Wendy Stewart and Michael Lucas really cannot make it? I was still waiting for them to reconcile."
"What’s this? Trying to avoid gossip?"
"Who’s the one who arranged the seating anyway? Why is Michael Lucas seated together with Wendy Stewart?"
"Who else but Christian Lucas?"
"Surely Christian Lucas is not so free to do such things?"
"Todd Lewis and Wendy Stewart seemed close to each other. But Michael Lucas and Yonina Collins didn’t have many interactions since the beginning."
"I have been observing them every time the camera was on them. Based on what I see, Michael Lucas doesn’t have a good relationship with Yonina Collins. On the other hand, Todd Lewis and Wendy Stewart seem to be doing well together."
Yonina had no idea what was going on with the comments. But seeing what Todd and Wendy were doing gave her an idea. She placed her hand on Michael’s thigh and leaned over, whispering, and laughing away.
It didn’t matter what she said. What was important was that the cameras could capture them as a loving couple.
