Chapter 85 Female Journalist
ANNA'S POV
I let out a shaky breath as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. It wasn't the sight that I was used to. The woman staring back at me had her back straight. There was something in her eyes that was barely ever there before.
Confidence.
I couldn't look past it. My lips slowly curled upward in a smile. Today, Celebrex-my drug- was going to be released to the world.
The journalists were definitely going to be throwing me their questions as usual, but a part of me was used to that.
A small knock came at my door, gained my attention immediately.
“Come in,” I whispered, smoothening my hair. I turned around, taking in the sight of my mother. The smile on her lips was unwavering.
I didn't mistake the gasp that left her lips as she looked at me from head to toe.
“A black dress that beautiful?” She asked. “Only you can pull it off.”
I grinned. “Black makes a statement, mom. Besides, it represents the death of whatever James thinks he has against me.”
The feel of his name on my tongue made it burn. After all these years, I couldn't help but still hate him. Maybe if he was the least considerate and nice when he met me at the handover ceremony, then I might have been considerate as well. But oh well. Look what the heavens had in store.
I looked over at my table, where there were countless copies of the recording I managed to get out of him a few days ago. I wasn't going to be stupid and keep only one copy. Even Dan had about three.
“Will you be coming with me today?” I asked my mom, and she nodded. I was more than relieved. There was something that shifted after the necklace got missing. But she was calm now. Her loving exterior was back.
Daniel walked into the room, running his hands through my shoulders in a massage. “You look tense.”
“You can't imagine,” I whispered. “What if the whole thing doesn't go well?”
My mom placed her index finger over my lips. “You can't say such things. The drug will work perfectly, and you will do everything that you couldn't, when your drug was stolen.”
For the first time since the incident, I was glad that James stole it. He took the fall. If he didn't steal the drug, if Mrs. Hayes didn't push me out of the house, then there was no way I would have been Anna Quinn. I might have still been at the roadside bakery smelling of chemicals and sugar. A dangerous combination.
But then, if they didn't do all those things, I would have had a five year old child to cater for. I would have had someone to actually love me.
My fingers curled around my flat abdomen instinctively.
“Ma'am, the car is ready,” one of the maids called out, knocking softly on the floor with her gaze fixed to the floor. My mom gave her a quick nod as we headed out of the room. Daniel's hands were wrapped around mine like the protective brother that he was.
“We're here with you,” he whispered. I gave him a quick nod.
My mom and dad came in a separate car, while Dan and I came in one. It was useless to hope that Isabel would somehow turn a new leaf overnight and come with us.
By the time we got to the company building, there were already journalists with cameras set. It was almost like I was running my feet in the water, and they were the sharks attracted to it.
As soon as I started heading towards the stage, cameras flashed, and I could feel my legs wobble. I had always dreamt of doing this. But now that it was happening, I was slightly unsure.
The memory of the blood soaking my jeans was the push that I needed.
“Good day everyone,” I called out softly, speaking into the mic. “I'm sure that you have all gotten the information about the drug that has been released. Celebrex. The final cure for chronic eczema.”
I could already see the skeptical look that they were all giving me. “Questions can come now,” my assistant said loudly enough for everyone to hear.
A hand shot up immediately. I gave the man a small nod. “Has the drug been thoroughly tested?” He asked. I couldn't help but smile. That was what I expected as the first question.
“Of course. Like the previous drug that was released, there will be no hiccups. This is the final cure. And as usual, very affordable.”
“Your previous colleague at Greenlife Med had released a drug like this. Are you trying to prove him wrong? Or take a shot at trying, risking the lives of patients?” Another journalist asked.
I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at her. She really had some nerve to ask that kind of question. I couldn't blame her much. If only she knew how much evidence I had against James.
“Prove who wrong? This drug is a statement. I don't have time for such cheap tricks.”
“So are you trying to say that you and James Reed haven't been in contact since the last time he was seen on his knees right in front of your house?” A female journalist asked, making me freeze in my tracks.
My assistant had her eyes on me as well, like she was waiting for me to look the slightest bit uncomfortable. I wanted to wave this off. But the words refused to leave my throat.
“Where did you get that information?” I asked immediately. I didn't miss the smirk that was on her lips.
“How would you fancy meeting me after this conference?” She asked, but I couldn't give her an answer. I looked over at my assistant instead, giving her a slight nod of my head.
“To the next question, please,” I said quite sharply, not missing the worried look that my mom was giving me.