Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Ellie turned to run, but was grabbed by two men in black who dragged her straight to the next private room.

Inside, Stella was being held down on the floor by several women, her clothes stripped off until only her underwear covered the essential parts.

Her hair was disheveled, looking completely disheveled, like a beggar from the street.

"What are you doing! Let me go! Who are you!"

Stella couldn't lift her head from the floor and could only scream frantically.

The scene terrified Ellie. She held her breath, not daring to move.

The lead woman took photos of Stella and sneered, "Stella, don't you know what you've done? Ms. Brown asked me to tell you - if you keep helping certain people stir up trouble, your photos right now will be posted online, and you'll become the world's laughingstock!"

The woman waved her phone. "Everyone online will know how pathetic you look. Guess what? Will the Wilson family still want you then?"

Hearing this, Stella trembled all over, tears streaming down her face.

"I, I won't dare! I'll never do it again! Please tell Charlotte to let me go, okay? I'll never help Ellie with anything again!"

"As long as you stop doing bad things, these photos won't get out. It's up to you!"

The women kicked Stella aside and left one by one, all of them looking Ellie up and down as they passed.

Ellie swallowed hard, their stares making her skin crawl. She didn't dare move.

After they left, she didn't dare stay either, afraid Stella would resent her and come after her.

Just as Ellie turned to run, she suddenly saw Charlotte standing outside.

She jumped in fright.

But Charlotte didn't plan to do anything. She just closed the private room door.

The hallway became quiet, leaving just the two of them.

"Since you're not feeling well, just stay home and rest. Don't run around everywhere. If you get what's coming to you, don't say I didn't warn you."

Ellie trembled with fear, unable to say a word.

She took a deep breath and could only turn and run.

Charlotte watched her figure disappear at the bar entrance, but felt no satisfaction from revenge.

She just felt annoyed.

Not for any other reason, but because her parents raised Ellie.

She couldn't be as ruthless with her as she was with Stella.

She wasn't sure if her parents would soften toward Ellie because of this.

After all, while she had been lost for years, her parents had always loved Ellie like their own daughter.

Thinking about this made Charlotte feel a bit uncomfortable.

"So annoying," Charlotte muttered to herself.

Behind her, a soft laugh suddenly sounded.

"What's bothering you?"

Charlotte turned to see Richard coming upstairs with his car keys - clearly, he had followed her here.

She was a bit surprised. "Why are you here?"

"I was worried something might happen, so I came to check." Richard took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "Is everything handled?"

Charlotte caught his familiar scent and her heart stirred slightly.

She nodded. "It's handled."

"Then why are you still bothered?" Richard looked down at her seriously, his eyes showing faint concern.

Charlotte hesitated, but couldn't hold back. She voiced what was troubling her.

"My parents raised Ellie. I can't really do anything to her."

She paused, lowering her head. "But she definitely won't behave. Today she bought trolls to attack me online - who knows what she'll do tomorrow."

Richard listened quietly, the sympathy in his eyes deepening.

He reached out and took Charlotte's hand. "She's still unwilling to accept it. She thinks the engagement should have been hers if you hadn't been found."

Charlotte looked up. "So what do you think I should do?"

Richard stared at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled with a lazy grin.

"There's a way to make her give up completely. Just depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, instinctively feeling he was up to something. "What way?"

Richard leaned closer, his voice carrying a subtle persuasiveness.

"We hold a joint press conference and officially announce our engagement. You appear as the true heiress of Bliss Group, broadcast live nationwide, let the whole world know you're my chosen fiancée."

Charlotte froze at his words.

Richard's eyes were gentle, hiding a hint of anticipation.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes, her cool voice clear and light. "Are you trying to announce the engagement to tie me down, or are you trying to help me?"

Richard smiled openly. "Both. Charlotte, I love you, and I've chosen you. Is that okay?"

"You..." Charlotte was left speechless, her ears turning red.

She wanted to refuse, but looking into Richard's smiling eyes, the words of rejection wouldn't come out.

Deep down, she didn't seem to resist the idea that much. She even felt a faint flutter of excitement.

"Fine."

Charlotte pursed her lips with feigned disdain. "You arrange the press conference. As long as it makes Ellie give up."

Seeing her tough words but soft heart, Richard chuckled softly.

He couldn't help reaching out to pinch Charlotte's cheek.

"You're actually looking forward to it, aren't you?"

The next day.

The press conference was held on time at a top-tier venue in the city center, broadcast live nationwide.

High society and major media outlets all attended, just to see the true heiress of the Bliss Group.

"I heard Bliss Group's real daughter was found. Can't believe it's true."

"What does she look like? I'm so curious."

The audience buzzed with discussion. In her hospital room, Ellie was also watching the live broadcast on her phone.

She had no idea about this broadcast until a friend told her that Bliss Group and the Davis family were holding a joint press conference today.

Ellie immediately sensed something was wrong.

A sudden press conference - what did it mean?

She wanted to see what Charlotte was up to after going through all that trouble to threaten her yesterday.

Soon, the lights at the venue dimmed, leaving only a spotlight on the center stage.

Charlotte appeared in a jade-colored dress, her long hair slightly curled, radiating a goddess-like glow.

As she came out, Richard walked up from the other side.

They stood side by side.

Charlotte picked up the microphone and faced the camera. "Hello everyone, I'm Charlotte Brown, daughter of Bliss Group Chairman David Brown, and the sole heir to the company."

As she finished, Richard naturally put his arm around her waist.

"Our families arranged an engagement long ago, personally agreed upon by my grandfather and Charlotte's grandfather. This engagement is only between Charlotte and me, and she's the only person I want to marry in this lifetime."

The venue erupted in knowing murmurs.

In her hospital room, Ellie's face went pale instantly, and her phone dropped to the floor.

At the same time, the Smith family was also watching the broadcast.