Chapter 86 Back in the Past

Chapter 86 Back in the Past
It had been two days since Margaret's interview. Xander had removed her from the board of directors and restricted her activities. She made a fuss about it, but he simply ignored her.

It was the day Crystal agreed to speak in public about her broken engagement. Her interview aired live on television.

"Today we're joined by Miss Crystal Miller." 

Crystal nodded with a smile as the camera focused on her.

"Mr. Blake recently cancelled his engagement with her. We had heard Mrs. Blake's words about this. Everyone wants to know the truth about this decision from Miss Miller." the anchor explained.

"So....What's the reason for the cancellation of your engagement with Mr. Blake?" she proceeded directly to the question. 

Crystal cleared her throat before taking a deep breath. Her expression was one of sadness.

"Sometimes giving your all isn't enough. I don't blame anyone. Everyone has the right to do what they want. But sometime they betray the other person while doing so." she stated.

"Are you claiming that Mr. Blake betrayed you?" 

Crystal shook her head.

"He did what he think is good for him. That's it." she replied smartly.

"But what about you?" 

"Me?" she smiled sadly. "I want to see him happy." 

"But you two were happy together and soon were going to marry. What happened so suddenly?"

"He wanted this engagement, so I agreed and we got engaged. Now he doesn't want this relationship. So we called it off with mutual understanding."

"Isn't this a betrayal?" 

"Maybe... I've always been by his side and supported him through every stage of life. He didn't consider my devotion over the years and decided to end our relationship. But I'll never force anyone to be with me. I respect his decision. Maybe it's good for everyone." she replied, referring to Xander's betrayal in an indirect manner.

"You're such a mature and kind-hearted woman. Even after he betrayed you, you didn't say anything bad about him."

Crystal smirked inside. However, she maintained her humble attitude on her face.

"I grew up with him. We have so many wonderful times together. We had a special connection with one another. How can I say something bad about him simply because we're no longer together?"

The anchor gave a nod of understanding.

"You mentioned your longtime relationship with Mr. Blake. Mrs. Margaret stated in her interview that she liked you and wanted you to marry her son from the start. She claimed Miss Ariadne Miller came between you. Is this true?" 

"Yes," Crystal replied, lowering her face. "But I still adore her. She's my baby sister." 

"Can you tell us the story?" 

"I believe the story is well known."

"We still want to hear from you."

Crystal let out a sigh and nodded. "My intention isn't to defame anyone. But, since you have asked and the public wants to know the truth, I'll tell the story." she paused and stared blankly at the wall, remembering the past.

"We were childhood friends... Xander, Ariadne and I. Xander and I were very close because I was close to his age. We developed feelings as we grew older. We began to date. But I had no idea Ariadne liked him, too. Grandfather William had a soft spot for her. In order to marry Xander, she asked for his help and he told Xander to marry her. Xander was to become the president of Blake Corporation so he didn't deny him. He married her despite having a relationship with me. To be honest, I was heartbroken. I felt like betrayed by the love of my life and my own baby sister. But I didn't stop them. I left the city so that they could live happily. When I returned, Xander began to pursue me again. He said that he wasn't happy with Ariadne. She wasn't a good woman. He regretted marrying her. But I rejected his approach. I can't destroy my sister's marriage. But he didn't listen. When I refused to get involved with him, he divorced her to demonstrate his loyalty. After the divorce, Ariadne left the city. By then Xander was shattered by their toxic marriage. I couldn't see his condition, so I helped him get through it. Everything in our lives became fine. We were happy but then Ariadne returned with her three kids and everything changed. She's now a successful woman and mother of his kids. She has the advantage."

"So, as Mrs. Blake had mentioned, is she using her kids to get Mr. Blake back?" the anchor asked. 

"I'm not sure what's going on between them, but everything started after she returned. If he has chosen her again then I've nothing to say. He had previously chosen his career over me, and now again..." she sighed, unable to finish her sentence.

The anchor looked at her sympathetically.

"I've had enough of this. I'll focus on my career now." Crystal added.

"Thank you for sharing your story with us." the anchor said, offering Crystal a sympathetic smile.

Crystal smiled back at her. The anchor then looked into the camera.

"So, it's almost clear that Ariadne Miller is responsible for the breakup of Mr. Blake and Miss Crystal Miller. Miss Crystal Miller is the main victim here. Ariadne Miller is a cruel woman... A woman who steals her own sister's man... Not once but twice." she concluded the interview. 

.......... 

Ariadne was standing near the window, looking out. Reporters were waiting outside the hospital building for her. She would be discharged today. So they came to question her. She was aware of the types of questions that would be directed toward her.

After Crystal's interview, the situation worsened. People were now brutally trolling her. They had flooded her website and social media accounts with hateful comments. Within a few hours ninety percent of Autumn Collection's orders had been cancelled. She felt helpless. They built the brand through hard work, but a false accusation brought it down. She felt like she had returned to five years ago, when everyone blamed her and looked down on her. She received criticism and was held accountable for the same thing once again. She wondered what she had gained by loving Xander. Only rejection, humiliation, and blame.

"Everything's ready, Miss Ariadne." Jose's voice drew her out of her thoughts.

She sighed, closing her eyes. It was time to deal with the chaos. She turned around and forced a smile. 

"We can exit through the back to avoid them." Tiara said, referring to the reporters.

"No. We did nothing wrong. We will leave through the front gates." Ariadne said with determination.

Tiara nodded. They left the room. 

... 

As they approached the parking lot, reporters rushed towards them. The bodyguards pushed them back a distance.

"We came here to get some answers from Miss Ariadne Miller."

"She's not well. She can't answer." the guards denied. 

"She's undoubtedly capable of speaking... Or she's afraid to face the truth that has been revealed." a reporter yelled.

When Ariadne heard that, she came to a halt in her tracks. She looked at the woman who had said it. 

"Ignore them." Tiara said from behind.

Ariadne looked around. The reporters shouted to get her attention. Patients were watching from a distance. The situation was chaotic.

"No. Not now." She turned and walked towards the reporters. Tiara and Jose followed her.

"What do you want to ask?" she asked them.

"Are you responsible for the breakup of Mr. Blake and Miss Crystal Miller?" one of them asked.

"I don't think it's a question. You all already believe I'm behind this."

"Everyone knows it's true." 

"Oh, and how do they know?" Tiara asked.

"Mrs. Blake and Miss Crystal Miller had said everything."

"So you believe it simply because they told you. I can tell you a lot of things as well. And those will be completely opposite of them. How would you determine who's telling the truth? There's no proof." Ariadne asked.

"Mrs. Blake wouldn't lie about his own son." a man replied. 

"There's proof of your divorce with Mr. Blake. Everyone knows that Miss Crystal Miller and Mr. Blake were together before you came between them, causing their breakup. You're a famous and successful person. How could you do this to your own sister?" the woman from earlier added.

"Watch your language. Don't forget who you're talking to." Tiara warned, pointing a finger at the woman.

Ariadne raised a hand to calm her down. Her other hand was still bandaged.

"I got divorced from Mr. Blake five years ago. I don't recall anyone asking Crystal the same question you're asking me." she stated.

"She was his real girlfriend. You forced him to marry you. He wasn't happy with you, so he divorced you." the woman remarked arrogantly.

"Correct." Ariadne said, pointing to the reporter. She approached her and stood in front of her.

"We parted ways because he was unhappy with me... So, now that they have parted ways, doesn't that mean he was unhappy with her?" she asked.

The woman went speechless. Ariadne averted her gaze from her and looked around at the other reporters.

"If you love and trust each other.... if you have a perfect and strong relationship.... no one can separate you." she stated. 

The reporters fell silent. Ariadne turned and walked toward the car. Tiara held her hand for support. 

"Miss..another question..." 

"That's it for today. She's a patient." Jose shouted at them before returning to the car.

The reporters were held back by the guards. Tiara helped Ariadne get into the car.

"You left them speechless. Tiara commented as she sat next to Ariadne.

After they all got into the car, it drove away. Ariadne gazed out the window, deep in thought.

"It would make no difference," she remarked.

... 

Xander sat silently on the bench, looking outside the hospital's gates. He noticed a young boy selling flowers. 

"Daddy, look." Alex's voice drew his attention.

He waved at him and showed him his fixed toy. He gave him a thumbs up. The boy smiled with joy. He had come for Alex's therapy session. After therapy, he took him to the park to play. He felt a little better with Alex. The place provided him with a temporary escape from the outside world. He didn't want to leave, but he had a lot of things to deal with.

The situation was chaotic right now. Crystal's interview had an impact on his image. Everyone was referring to him as a heartless, selfish man. But Ariadne was getting the worst of it. He blamed himself for it, and he needed to act quickly.

After some time, he left the hospital, leaving Toby with Alex.