Chapter 163 Press Conference
Flashes of camera, clicking of keyboards, gazes burning with anticipation, silence...
The journalists present at the press conference were more than ready to listen and write about what Cara would have to say. They had swarmed over like bees the instant they heard she was going to have a press conference and issue a press release afterwards.
Cara stood at the podium, trying not to show her fear as several camera flashes attempted to blind her eyes.
The silence filled her with fear, seeping through her skin like the claws of death. She didn't want to mess things up, but the whole world was listening. No pressure...
Plans had changed, Romeo was still there with her, but he was standing with her family, not exactly right next to her like he wanted to, but close enough for her to feel his calm wrapping around her body.
As much as she wanted him right next to her, the people might think she was trying to use the Armani influence, their power, to inflict fear on the journalists.
So she had to do it on her own. Never had she faced so many journalists before. Not so many people were interested in the Smith family. But now, she was an Armani. Almost anyways. So she drew interest to her, moth to a flame.
With a deep breathe, she opened her mouth and began to speak, voice unwavering, mind hardened. "Good afternoon everyone, a scandal was released regarding myself this morning and I am sure we have all seen it.
"As believable as it may sound, it is not true. Rather than the culprit, I am a victim and I can prove it to you today. My words, of course will not be enough to do that, which is why I am going to show you evidence rather than waste your time trying to convince you with my words."
Speculations drew from the journalists and reporters for a moment, wondering what kind of evidence it was that she wanted to present to them.
Her words only made them more focused, looking forward to the evidence.
"But before that, allow me to explain why the things i am about to show and tell you are evidence to prove my innocence.
"Romeo Armani, soon to be my husband, was a friend of mine ever before I married Chris, yes, I did like him, but we were two worlds apart, I was not wealthy whereas he was a trillionaire.
"I knew better than to waste my time wishing upon a star for a happily ever after, so I devoted my love and life to Chris Knowles whom I married. For three good years, I did nothing else than be a good wife to him, only for those years to be dumped into the trash as he cheated on me and got another woman, my best friend at the time, pregnant.
"He didn't show any remorse, he didn't care, he only mocked me for not being able to have a child for him. I felt so shattered hearing things like that from him after everything I had to put up with him and his parents. I was no wife but a slave and a pet.
"Rather than being hurt, I decided to see it as a chance to freedom so I divorced him. Fate brought me back to the man I loved first and this time, he convinced me that things would work out between us. I didn't want to love him because I still didn't believe i could fit in in his world but after meeting his parents, his family, I had never felt so loved.
"So I told myself, i deserve a chance at happiness. As every single one of us in this room right now deserves happiness, so do I."
She paused, watching as her every words were being punched down into their laptops and recorded with their recorders.
She was not afraid anymore neither did she feel anxious but rather she felt hopeful. At long last, it would all be over. She could finally live in peace with her husband like a normal wife. Have a child like she had always wanted to and most importantly, be happy.
"Chris Knowles is no husband, for some reason, he keeps contacting me, telling me how he wants to come back to me. Sounds like I am just trying to frame him right? Well here are some of our recorded conversations on phone."
She took out her phone and placed it close enough to her microphone for them to hear.
Those with their recorders stepped closer and those typing listened with pricked ears. They didn't believe as they heard Chris' voice on the phone, desperately begging Cara to come back to him. Promising to even divorce his own wife.
She didn't let it play for too long, it was only just the beginning. "That is nothing compared to what I have in store for you." She said to them.
Now their interest had grown larger than ever. It was a large scoupe for them. A big hit.
"Of course, I kept turning him down. Now we were supposed to meet today because he has been continuously requesting for an audience, I wanted to give him a restricting order." She took it out of her purse, "this one."
Cameras began to flash, taking pictures of the restricting order.
After a moment, she returned it to her purse. "Don't believe me? Well here is evidence of Chris still waiting for me at the spot we were supposed to meet."
The screen behind her came to live and Chris was shown sitting alone at a table, looking quite excited and anxious at the same time. He had no idea he was being recorded.
The journalists immediately took pictures and records.
"In my hands are so many secrets of the Knowles, which is why they are after me. My fiance had to deploy a specialized squad to always travel with me and keep me safe because of their continuous threats.
"Since none of it worked, they tried to tarnish my image so Romeo would leave me since the Armani literally own everything they own. They believe that with me as his wife, i could be unfair and kick them off but I don't play dirty.
Now to show you the real evidence I have with me that makes them want to destroy me so badly, I never wanted to do this, they pushed me to it. Get your cameras ready and stretch your fingers."
The room suddenly grew anxious at her words.