Chapter 88: Ashley's claim

Chapter 88: Ashley's claim

Rafael's POV

I look at my phone, waiting for Ella's call. It's already 8:30 am. I know Melody told her about Ashley's claim. I put my phone inside my coat and look at my assistant.

"The press was already waiting inside, Boss Rafael," he says. I fixed my coat and rolled up my sleeves up to my elbow. Lance opens the door. As soon as we stepped inside, cameras flashed and everyone's attention shifted to me.

"Take your seats, everyone. Sir Rafael will give his statement right away," Lance stated.

I went to the stage and grabbed the edge of the lectern. Lance placed his laptop on the desk behind me, next to the screen. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for giving your time for this presscon," I greeted. They remained silent but waited for my next words.

"This press conference is held to answer the claims that Ms. Vargas posted on her social media platforms. It regards her statement that she was my fiancé and Ellasandra Winters used her family connection to break us apart," I halt. I look at their faces.

"I will address what she said about her pregnancy and abandonment. Her claims that Ella was bullying her and drugging me to be able to carry my child, all of that are..." I lean closer to the microphone. "LIES!" I declare.

I look back and stare at Lance. He nods and flashes the pictures on the screen. The reporters gasp. It shows the pictures of Ella, who looks ill, and there are bruises on her body. "As you can see on the time stamp, it was taken four years ago. The truth is, I mistook the gratitude I had towards Ashley for love. She left without any notice, and I fell into despair," I continued.

"After my parent's death, I was diagnosed with persistent or complex grief. Ashley was my classmate in college, and she's been there for me. That escalated my false assumption that I'm in love with her."

I turned my body and looked at the screen. "After she left without any notice, my situation worsened. A year later, I met Ella. Due to my condition, I always thought she looked like Ashley. I forced her into marrying me and kept her hidden from everyone's eyes."

Lance changed the slide. CCTV footage was shared with everyone. "I will publicly admit that I was abusive and treated her badly whenever she acted as Ellasandra. I forced her to wear what Ashley likes to wear. She even has to copy Ashley's habit. But one thing is for sure," I paused.

I look at Lance. He flashes the next footage. "My wife was a caring person. Whenever I came home drunk or when I got sick, she took care of me 24/7. She cooked my favorite and even cleaned my office. As for Ashley's claim that my wife drugs me so that she can be pregnant with my child, it's definitely a lie." I was the one who edited the video and blurred certain parts when I started undressing her. I also lower the volume of the footage.

"I was drunk that night. For the first time, I saw her as Ella and claimed the wedding night I ignored for months. Technically, we ended up consummating our marriage after we got burned with the fire that I started," I continued.

Lance plays the next video, where Ashley and Matthew were talking to each other. "Listen to this carefully," I assert firmly. "How come that he hasn't married you yet? It's been four months since Ella died. Haven't we waited that long, sweetie? Is there a problem?" Matthew asks.

Ashley sighed. "I've been persuading him! Do you really think I wasn't doing my best? We're sticking with our plan. After he marries me, I'll make sure he'll sign a property transfer agreement. Then, I'll make his condition worse and divorce him right away," Ashley stated.

That scumbag smirked. "Well, it will be easy to push him to get crazier. Now that Ella is gone as well as his heir, you're the only one who can have all his property," Matthew says. Ashley smirked. "Well, he's a stupid lad anyway. He believes the lies we fabricated. He ends up forcing Ella to donate her blood and bone marrow. Those two have no idea that we just sell them in the hospital."

"It's not bad. We gain 1.5 million and use it for our one-month trip in France and England. Anyway, just persuade him more. I know you can do it. It's for us," Matthew says.

They kissed. Lance paused the video. "All I can say is I'm a coward, stupid, and an asshole. I hurt an innocent lady while believing in the fake love I once had. It's all my fault, and I'm the one to blame. Ashley faked her illness and used that to make me her puppet, leading to an abusive attitude against my wife," I added. I was about to speak when the door opened. Our attention shifted to... my wife.

"Ellasandra..." I mumbled. She was taking big steps. The camera flashes on her face, but she remains unfazed, keeping her eyes on me. The moment she stood in front of me, everything went silent. It's like the world had stopped for us. She grabs my tie and pulls me closer. "What is wrong with you, huh? Are you planning to drag your group with you?" she asks in a low voice.

I smiled and held her face. "It's okay. It was already transferred to you. I know your business skills will save the group. It's already yours the moment that you agreed to give me one last chance," I remarked. She let go of my tie and fixed it for me. "Good morning, everyone," she said.

I held her hand and pulled her away from the lectern. "I'll take care of this. Wait for me in my office, okay?" I mumbled. She glared at me.

"You said that Midnight Group is now mine. Aren't I supposed to protect it? I'm not a fragile glass that needs your protection. I want YOU. That's why I forget all those bad pasts. Did you understand?" she asserts firmly. I blink and can't take my eyes off her. I smiled and nodded.

"Loud and clear, madam boss," I stated. She looks at the reporters. "Now, let's continue."