Chapter 58 — His Speech
***Harper***
Stepping into the grand foyer of the hotel, I'm immediately struck by the overwhelming opulence of the surroundings. The polished marble floors gleam under the warm glow of the chandeliers, and the intricate gold accents add a touch of elegance to the space. Despite the breathtaking beauty of the scene before me, a sense of unease begins to gnaw at my insides.
Alex is at my side, his imposing presence commanding attention as we navigate through the throngs of journalists and photographers gathered in the lobby. His purposeful stride and unwavering gaze ahead make it clear that he's in control, but I can't shake the feeling of being a fish out of water in this world of power and privilege.
As Alex leads me towards the conference room, he pauses outside a nearby office and gestures for me to wait inside while he checks on the preparations. I nod in understanding, grateful for a moment of solitude amidst the chaos of the event.
I step into the office, and the door swings shut behind me, enveloping me in a temporary sanctuary. The room is quiet, save for the muffled sounds of activity echoing from the hallway beyond. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering nerves in my stomach.
Just as I'm beginning to settle into the silence, the door creaks open again, and Gheena saunters into the room with a sly grin on her lips. My heart skips a beat at the sight of her, memories of her past indiscretions with Alex flooding back to me in a rush of anger and betrayal.
But as Gheena's gaze meets mine, I'm surprised to see a mischievous glint in her eyes rather than the expected hostility. It's clear that she's here with an agenda, but for once, I find myself unaffected by her presence.
With a silent resolve, I remind myself that Alex is not truly my husband, and therefore, I have no reason to be threatened by Gheena or her intentions. Whatever games she's playing, I refuse to let them shake me from my newfound sense of self-assurance.
"Good morning," she greets me in a tone laced with cynicism and a hint of seduction, as if she wanted to demonstrate that she had seduced Alex and it would affect me.
"Good morning, Gheena. That's your name, isn't it?" I respond with a smile, asking her while maintaining a genuine expression. Despite Alex's attempt to humiliate me on our wedding day, I have no reason to feel jealous of him.
It seems she's adept at reading intentions because upon seeing a warm smile on my face, her expression shifts from cynical to curious.
"Mr. Montreal doesn't love you! Why did you agree to marry him?" She questions, as if I'm obligated to answer to her.
"Hmm... I don't love him either. I married him because he's rich, handsome, and powerful. And I could gain something from it..." I would never reveal the truth to this woman before me.
"He'll quickly grow tired of you. Mr. Alex deserves someone who loves him by his side!" She raises her voice slightly.
"Who, you?" I feign surprise. "You love him? Oh, sorry, I didn't know! If I had known, I would have set my sights on another rich man."
She seems taken aback by my assertion.
"Are you playing games with me, Harper?" She adopts an offended expression, which I can't decipher whether it's genuine or if she's a skilled actress.
"I would never joke about such a thing," I say, and I'm not lying. "I would never fight with another woman over a man! I just ask that you wait a little while. Soon, I'll achieve my goal and he'll be free. And I don't mind if you become his mistress. Then, the path will be clear for you to marry him in no time."
She lowers her head. She knows he would never marry her. In his life, she's just one of his numerous affairs. I take a step closer to her. I place my hand gently on her chin.
"Look, I'm serious. I don't want to be your enemy because of Alex, okay? My marriage to him is just an agreement," I confess. "But these tears aren't because I'm married to him, are they? They're because your love for him isn't reciprocated."
She turns her head, tears streaming down her face, smudging her makeup. She's too afraid to say anything, and I understand. It's hard to love without being loved in return.
"Gheena, you're young and beautiful woman. I imagine you work for Alex; I don't know what you do in this casino, but you deserve more than this. Don't beg for love from anyone, not even from Alex. You deserve to be loved, just like I do, okay?"
The door swings open abruptly, and Alex catches us in this moment, where she hugs me and cries.
"What's going on here?" He asks, suspicious.
"Women's matters, Alex. She's having severe cramps, so release her from work today, no deductions, understood?" He doesn't understand, and I turn to her: "See you later, Gheena. When you need help, you can find me." I turn my body back towards Alex, extend my arm for him to take, and ask: "Can we finally put an end to this?"
Inside the conference hall, the atmosphere is electric. Reporters and dignitaries fill the rows of seats, their eyes fixed on the stage where Alex will soon take center stage. I take my seat beside him, acutely aware of the weight of expectation resting on my shoulders. At the same table, seated are his lawyer, Clark, and his secretary, whose name I have no idea.
As Alex approaches the podium and begins to address the crowd, I find myself drawing strength from his unwavering confidence. His words are measured and deliberate, conveying a sense of authority and control that is both reassuring and intimidating.
So, Alex began his speech:
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you all for being here today. I've called this press conference to address recent rumors and speculations regarding my personal life, particularly concerning my relationship with Ms. Harper.
There have been false allegations suggesting that I left Ms. Harper stranded alone on a dark and rainy road. I want to categorically deny these accusations. It's important to set the record straight and clarify that I would never engage in such irresponsible and disrespectful behavior towards my wife.
As a businessman and public figure, I understand the scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight. However, I will not tolerate baseless accusations that tarnish my reputation and integrity.
I ask for your understanding and cooperation in respecting our privacy as we move forward. Thank you."