Chapter 66: Is That What He Means?
I faked the recording Tyler produced.
But it was based on a real conversation - half true, half fake.
Amelia stupidly exposed herself, which was an unexpected bonus.
When Tyler used to visit Doyle, he stole Doyle's drafts several times.
Even though drafts are just scrap paper, they contain a lot of important research findings.
After Doyle died, Tyler gradually published some of Doyle's unpublished work under his own name. Sometimes my drafts got mixed in with Doyle's, and he stole a few of mine, too.
So I directly threatened Tyler that I'd expose his theft.
Tyler really cares about his reputation, especially enjoys being admired in academic circles - he didn't dare resist my threat.
Brian watched Michelle hurry away and asked me quietly, "Just letting her go like that?"
I smiled mysteriously, "It's not over yet."
A reporter asked Tyler, "Did Doyle really leave a collection of prescriptions for his student?"
Tyler said, "Maybe, but that student is definitely not Amelia!"
The reporter asked, "What's your relationship with them? Why did they ask you to testify?"
Tyler showed an awkward expression, "Probably because I happened to learn something I shouldn't have."
The reporters instantly got excited like sharks smelling blood, eagerly asking what it was.
Tyler fake-coughed a couple of times and said quietly, "You know Byron? That Playboy got himself sick from fooling around - I don't mean the penis-cutting thing. He got an STD! Doyle's prescription collection should have formulas for treating STDs, that's why Michelle was desperate to get those notes."
Even though Tyler lowered his voice, he was speaking into a microphone!
"I can't say what specific disease, but you know, some STDs are contagious."
The reporters' eyes widened.
The reporters surrounding Amelia and chasing Michelle instantly backed away from them.
Amelia went from being the center of attention to standing in a vacuum.
Michelle turned around and glared at Tyler, "You're talking nonsense!"
Tyler shrugged, "Sure, sure, let's say I'm talking nonsense. Scary contagious disease - one person gets it, the whole family suffers."
Michelle looked at the reporters, emphasizing heavily that it wasn't true.
She wasn't in a hurry to leave anymore, urgently wanting to prove her innocence to the reporters, but they avoided her like the plague.
Brian's eyes crinkled with laughter, like a cunning fox, secretly giving me a thumbs up.
Byron having an STD was true - I accidentally discovered it while investigating his background.
There were definitely people in the Gambino family who got infected by him, probably quite a few. The Gambino family had been secretly looking for doctors to make house calls during this time.
I couldn't help wondering about Michelle's real reason for wanting to buy Roger - was it for Byron, or for someone else in the family?
Michelle chased after people for a while, looking both embarrassed and humiliated, then quickly got in her car and left.
She completely ignored Amelia, as if still sulking about Amelia's "deception."
The press conference could end here - I'd achieved my goal.
Amelia was still crying, her wrinkled expression ruining her perfect makeup. So she could cry ugly, too!
She looked around and walked toward Lucas.
"I'm not infected! Lucas, help me, the recording was fake! Mom actually hit me!"
Alfred nervously shooed her away, "Stay away from us!"
A reporter suddenly asked sharply, "Lucas, have you also been infected with an STD?"
Alfred glared hard at the questioner, like an enraged gorilla, "No way! Who are you to insult Mr. Valeri's dignity!"
Lucas was much calmer than Alfred: "STD transmission requires living together or intimate contact, and both before and after marriage, I've only had physical relations with one woman."
While speaking, he looked at me - it was obvious who that woman was.
I glared at him angrily, my expression calm but internally embarrassed as I left my seat.
James immediately announced loudly, "The press conference is now over!"
Brian angrily waved his fist, "That bastard! Flirting with Bella in public!"
I pulled Brian away through the VIP passage, hearing reporters' questions behind us,
"Mr. Valeri! Did you just deny the romance rumors with Amelia?"
"Ms. Sorelli, what's your view on Mr. Valeri's relationship with Amelia?"
"There are rumors you were illegally detained by Lucas recently. Is that true?"
I walked faster and faster, practically dragging Brian in a jog, finally managing to shake off the reporters.
"Bella."
- I didn't shake off Lucas.
Brian made a gesture, and all his men pulled out weapons, "Stop! Don't come any closer to Bella!"
I thought I couldn't let Lucas and Brian fight here.
I quickly looked at Lucas. Lucas didn't arrogantly provoke Brian. He stood there and said to me, "I'll take my medicine on time."
Then he turned and left.
Brian was confused, "Medicine? What medicine? Is he crazy!"
I opened my mouth awkwardly.
Did he mean what I think he meant?
Because I said his twisted possessiveness made me feel sick and scared, so he's planning to actively get treatment?
I shook my head, shaking off the wild thoughts.
Even if Lucas became normal, it had nothing to do with me.
When he's no longer starved for love, he won't care about me at all.
"Bella?" Brian looked at me with some concern, "Are you okay?"
I shrugged casually, "I'm fine."
Jonas approached, smiling, "Didn't expect the press conference to be so exciting."
I remembered what I promised him, "When are you free? My brothers and I want to take you to dinner."
"You decide!" Jonas said, "I moved to Starstream City. I have lots of free time."
I nodded. After Jonas left, Brian asked me, "Is Jonas pursuing you?"
"He's just joking," I said.
"You could consider it, he's way better than Lucas." Brian couldn't help sneering when mentioning Lucas.
I felt a bit helpless. No matter how bad Lucas was, he was still the first man I fell in love with after giving everything.
"By the way, you're still not divorced." Brian paced in circles irritably, "Bella, I need to go back to the law firm. Remember to eat on time. Don't worry about the divorce, I'll sue him for you!"
I didn't think suing would help - a divorce decree couldn't control Lucas's legs. He'd still come when he wanted to find me.
But I didn't dampen Brian's fighting spirit. After seeing him off, I returned to my office - a pile of work was waiting for me.
Three peaceful days passed, and Marcus came back.
There was no way to hide Lucas's kidnapping from him. Marcus was furious, "Forget suing for divorce! I'm going to kill him, and if I don't take his life, I'll make him lose his sexual function! Anyone who dares bully Bella must pay the price!"