Chapter 156: Rumors Will Have a Price
"Ms. Lockwood!"
Lyndon ran over, sweating profusely.
As he got closer and saw Joseph, he quickly extended his hand, "Hello, I'm Lyndon, the sales manager of the Lockwood Group."
After introducing himself, Lyndon looked at me, waiting for me to make introductions.
I quickly said, "Lyndon, this is Mr. Davis. He's planning to donate digital equipment to the hospital. Please give him a detailed introduction in a bit."
Hearing there was business, Lyndon immediately perked up.
He smiled at Joseph, "Mr. Davis, our company's exhibits are all over here. Please come this way, and I'll give you a detailed introduction."
"Great!"
Joseph agreed and followed him toward the exhibition area.
I stood there and let out a deep breath. This deal was in the bag.
"Ms. Lockwood, quite impressive. You managed to close such a big deal in such a short time."
Applause came from behind me. I looked up to see Zane approaching.
He clapped his hands and smiled insincerely, "He looks like a foreigner. When did Ms. Lockwood expand the company's business overseas? Or is Mr. Davis an old friend of yours?"
He emphasized the words "old friend" with particular weight.
"So what if he is? Either way, it's my business, isn't it? Do you have a problem with that?"
Zane was just a guy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. I didn't take him seriously at all.
"Excuse me."
I tried to leave, but suddenly felt a tight grip on my arm. I turned to see Zane holding it firmly.
Following his hand up, I saw a nasty smile on Zane's face, "Ms. Lockwood, Atlas is so rigid and boring. What do you even see in him?"
Rigid and boring?
This was the first time I'd heard such an assessment of Atlas from his own family member.
I struggled free, pulling my arm away, and looked coldly at Zane, "That's between Atlas and me. It doesn't concern you, does it?"
Zane said casually, "How could it not concern me? If you marry into our family later, you'll be my sister-in-law. But since you're not married yet, I'd suggest you find a different boyfriend sooner rather than later."
I crossed my arms, my gaze icy, "Why should I listen to you?"
He sneered, "Because I won't allow Atlas to get married!"
"You?"
I looked at him in shock, "Why?"
"If Atlas doesn't get married, the company still belongs to the Lancaster family. No matter how well he does, he's just working for the Lancaster family. But if he gets married, the nature of things changes."
He glanced at me, his eyes full of malice, "So, Ms. Lockwood, I advise you to find someone else to marry, because you and Atlas are destined not to end up together."
I never imagined there could be such a vicious person in the world.
Scheming against his own family with such ruthlessness!
I was so angry my fingers trembled. I said sharply, "Aren't you afraid I'll tell Atlas about this?"
"Go ahead."
Zane shrugged, "But first he'd have to believe you. And I might as well tell you—there's a girl who grew up with Atlas. He doesn't really like you; you're just a novelty to him."
I knew who he was talking about.
But Atlas had already told me that he saw Nancy as just a friend, and I believed he wouldn't lie to me.
It was this Zane who had ulterior motives. Having him around Atlas was definitely not a good thing.
"Atlas and I have a deep relationship. It can't be undermined by a few words from you. I'll tell Atlas what you said today."
After saying this, I turned and left.
Seeing me, Atlas came over from a distance, "That looked like Zane. Did he come to bother you?"
I nodded and told Atlas everything Zane had just said, word for word.
"That bastard!"
As soon as Atlas heard this, he wanted to go confront him. I pulled him back.
"Don't go. Without evidence, he won't admit to anything. Besides, with all these people around, this isn't the place to deal with it. But with him around you, you need to be more careful from now on."
Hearing my words, Atlas stopped.
"Helena, I can't kick Zane out of the Lancaster family right now, but I promise you, I will never let him hurt you!"
Seeing Atlas so serious, I nodded, "Okay, I trust you. But please be careful in everything."
"I will."
Just as Atlas finished speaking, Amy bounced over again.
"Atlas, Helena, why are you two hiding here? Bet you didn't expect this—even though you're hiding, I still found you."
Amy's voice was loud, instantly attracting quite a few people's attention.
"Helena's over there!"
"That's her, quick, go interview her."
There were quite a few reporters in the exhibition area doing interviews and publicity. Hearing my name, they immediately swarmed over.
"What are you doing? Why are you surrounding Helena?"
Amy spread her arms to protect me.
But no one answered her question. Instead, even more people gathered around.
A microphone was shoved in my face, "Helena, we heard you destroyed the relationship between Natasha and Knox. How do you explain this?"
"Helena, people online are calling you a homewrecker. Please respond."
"What are you all talking about?"
Amy shouted angrily, "Helena is Atlas's girlfriend. They've been together for a long time. Stop making things up."
As soon as Amy finished speaking, the reporters, like bees drawn to honey, immediately turned their attention to Amy.
"Is what you're saying true?"
Seeing this, Amy pointed at Atlas and me, "Of course it's true. Atlas is the heir of the Lancaster family, and he and Helena are very much in love."
"Does Mr. Lancaster know about Helena being a homewrecker?"
"Or does Mr. Lancaster simply not care about Helena's past?"
Several more reporters pressed forward with questions.
Seeing this, Atlas moved me behind him and waved at the crowd of reporters, "I've heard everything you've all said. First, let me clarify—Helena has never destroyed anyone's relationship. Second, I only started pursuing her after she and Knox broke up."
"As for this homewrecker business you're talking about, my lawyer will handle it all. And let me warn those people spreading rumors online—the internet is not above the law. Those who spread false rumors will definitely pay the price."