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.

he looked ahead to address the press once more, his tone was much

Her team had come up with a plan to use the rumor

statement to the press, and instead would milk the hype

going to cause the agency problems. "Some of the fans and netizens are now in favor of Melinda,"

and devise a script

no qualms in taking such a drastic step. Before she could get excited over the

tightly and bit

dumb 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 heavy pressure of

busy shooting." Her eyes fell on her assistant. "My assistant hasn’t told me anything yet because I’ve been so busy and tired these past few days. Don’t worry, I’ll make

"It seems like you have too many projects in your hands. Perhaps I should take some of it off, so you

no mistake now; the threat was that he was going to pull out his investments

she said, and Emily doubted that she could still persuade him if she talked

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 even find out you’re

sentence. She really

power to not only take away her current projects, but keep her out

closed her eyes in defeat, and took a deep breath. She had to bite the bullet. "I’m sorry.

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

world came crashing around her, and all her favorable options flew out the window. Whatever might happen in the future,

that refuted the rumors. She made sure to mention that she had been busy with her projects, and implied that she was unaware just how big the story had blown

apology to Melinda, and at the same time apologized for her fans

stood then, she could not afford to lose any amount of support; she had to make sure she didn’t offend anyone any further, especially among the involved

was shared around the internet countless times. Pretty soon, netizens on

less. Emily’s agency

to do?" Emily screamed at them when the management called for her. "If I didn’t make that damn video, the show wouldn’t have thirty million dollars, and your stupid agency would lose one

increase the tension that had long existed between

get back to my shoot. I advise you not

projects she landed, added to the publicity of the rumors. She had fame at her disposal, and

a big impact on her popularity

to the set, calculating the possibilities. It was dark by the time she got there, and all the shit

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

eyes full of concern. This was the opportunity she was looking for. If she was linked romantically with this guy, she knew she would have better chances at maintaining her

cold, but I’m fine. Thank you for

what went on in the Internet. Don’t worry too much about it. Clean hands

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

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