When the next press conference was called for, Melinda put all her chips on the line like a seasoned gambler sure of her victory. Husband and wife appeared together as they took their seats.

"Let me make the introductions," Jonas started. "Everyone, this is my wife, Melinda."

"Hello, everyone." Melinda smiled warmly at the crowd. They laid their linked hands on the table, and the diamond ring on her left finger caught the raging flashes of the camera.

The conference commenced.

"I know there have been various speculations on the internet about my relationship with Miss Emily Bai," Jonas said.

The room quieted. He had decided to take the bull by the horns, and didn’t wait for the press to ask their questions before diving right into the issue.

"I will clarify this for you for the last time. Miss Bai and I were playmates in childhood. The love of my life is right here beside me." He turned to look at Melinda, and the cameras went wild again.

"I will not stand for my wife getting slandered and maligned by strangers who know nothing about our lives and only have too much time on their hands.

If the ugly rumors do not stop after this, I will not hesitate to use legal means to give pursuit to the defamers."

The authority in Jonas's voice sent a chill to everyone who listened. There was no mistaking the man’s serious attitude regarding attacks against his wife.

The members of the press twittered among themselves, and then suddenly a murmur of praises for the couple circled around.

After such a revelation, only fools would still think that the rumors were true, let alone think of spreading it even further. They knew all too well their careers would be over if they crossed the Gu family.

However, nobody knew of the "fake" members of the press that Emily’s team had planted in the conference. Their only purpose for being in attendance was to sow conflict and doubt, and reaffirm the rumors between Emily and Jonas.

And one of them was now raising his hand to pose his question. "Mr. Gu, this is your second press conference. All this time, we’ve only ever heard from you. Miss Bai has yet to tell her side of the story.

Why do you seem so eager to put a stop to the inquiries before she could do so? Are there perhaps secrets that you are anxious might leak into the public?"

Before anyone could even react to that, another of Emily’s cahoots shot a question. "There have also been talks that you and your wife didn’t actually get along well for many years. And this is the first time that you appeared together and acknowledged her in public.

One can’t help but think it’s a little bit staged. Aren’t you just forcing yourselves to display your so-called affections to the media?"

"Forced?" It was Melinda, and her sudden interjection obviously took the press aback. "Do you really think Jonas is the kind of person who would settle down when he is being pressured to do something he doesn’t want?"

Beside her, Jonas was quiet, and his face bore no emotion. But his grip tightened around his wife’s hand.

Melinda gave him a little nudge, and he turned to look at her. When he did, the cold wall melted, and his face took on a gentle and warm expression.

more, his tone was much calmer. "I

assistant. Her team

no intentions whatsoever to make a statement to the press, and instead would milk the

going to cause the agency problems. "Some of the fans and netizens are now in favor of Melinda," she told Emily. "Although the online trolls we hired still have a sway on the public opinion, they probably

a script that would imply

such a drastic step. Before she could get excited over the impending publicity, however, she received a

tightly and bit her

with me. I know you know exactly what I mean." Emily scrambled for an excuse. Jonas had yet to threaten her, but she could already feel the

fell on her assistant. "My assistant hasn’t told me anything yet because I’ve been so busy and tired these past few

many projects in your hands. Perhaps I should take some of it off, so you can take care of this matter

mistake now; the threat was that he was

Emily doubted that she could still persuade him if she

out her words. "I’ll explain to

better make your explanations clear and precise, and soon, too. Otherwise, there’s no telling what other things the media could dig up. They might

breath hitched at his last sentence. She really

not only take away her current projects, but keep her out of

the bullet. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Jonas. I never

after that; he had hung up the phone. Emily paced back

options flew out the window. Whatever might happen in the future, her only salvation now would be

mention that she had been busy with her

Melinda, and at the same time

she had to make sure she didn’t offend anyone any

countless times. Pretty soon, netizens

less. Emily’s agency was angered

didn’t make that

only served to increase the tension that

want to hear this stuff! If there’s nothing else, I need to get back to my shoot. I advise you not to pursue this matter with me, or you’ll find yourselves in

the rumors. She had fame at her disposal, and

impact on

set, calculating the possibilities. It was dark by the

good." It was one of the young emerging actors, who was working on the same project, only he

the opportunity she was looking for. If she was linked romantically with this guy, she knew she would have better chances at maintaining

Thank

Internet. Don’t worry too much

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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