Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Lovely wife 224

Tomatoes and Eggs

The murmurs started in waves. Phones lit up. Thumbs moved fast. Maria could see it before she even heard it-a change in the room's atmosphere. The press row on the left turned into a sea of whispering mouths and shifting glances.

Then someone shouted, "Is it true?"

Another voice broke in, louder, more desperate. "Sarano's been hospitalized?"

"What happened?"

"Was it an overdose?"

The word stuck like a blade. Maria's stomach dropped. Her fingers went numb around the folder in her hand. Cassandra Sarano was in the hospital?

Almost immediately, the moderator stepped forward, lifting his mic. "Please-

"Sleeping pills," someone said. "It's trending already. Multiple sources say she took an entire bottle-

"-found unconscious in her penthouse. It's confirmed!"

The press went into a frenzy.

"Ms. Alcaraz! Did you know she was in this state?"

"Was this triggered by your lawsuit?"

"Isabella Rossi pushed her too far-is that your position?"

Maria tried to raise her voice. "No statement-please, we will confirm details once verified-

"Are you saying this isn't real?"

A flash from the left. A reporter's mic was thrust toward her. Another camera followed, nearly hitting her shoulder Then a woman from the back screamed, "You people drove her to this!"

Security immediately shifted forward, but they weren't fast enough. The back barrier collapsed.

Five-no, six individuals in fan gear pushed into the conference area. Shirts with Cassandra's name. Bracelets. Phone cameras are already recording. The first one hurled a tomato that burst against Nolan Reeve's chest. He jerked back, stunned.

Then another came flying. It hit Maria square on the side. Her blazer instantly soaked with thick, acidic pulp. "Stop!" the moderator yelled. "Security!"

Eggs came next. One splattered on the table beside the podium. Another struck a Horvath junior counsel in the cheek. He went down hard.

"You think we're stupid?!" one of the intruders yelled. "You silence her, then throw lawsuits at her?!"

crying out for

skidded across the floor and slammed into Maria's ankle. The sharp sting cut through the noise, grounding her. Behind

as another object flew past her head. She heard

onto the low

because of you!"

Chaos immediately broke out.

One fan lunged for the mic and screamed into it.

voice cracked through it: "You're going to pay

phone. It hit a spotlight and shattered the bulb. Sparks

on the egg-soaked floor.

the curtain.

egg exploded against her back just before she

barked, his own suit

noise was muffled. Maria leaned against the wall, breath heavy, heart hammering.

Sleeping pills. Cassandra

1/3

Tomairing anal Co

Her eyes narrowed.

had always

And this?

like

se Nolan pulled her down the side corridor. Their footsteps echoed against the concrete floor Behind them the holes from the press room was sill erupting-shooting objects crashing, the unmistakable

people. Cameramen Reporters. Some wore badges. Others didn't. A few shoved

Alcaraz, do you deny pushing her into

do you say about

not

retaliation or emotional

stepped in front of her

However, no one moved

Several microphones were shoved toward her chest. A boom mic bumped her shoulder. Maria tried to push past but was blocked

how do you justify your actions

aware Cassandra was

did your legal team continue the filing after she

pushed forward, shouting. "This was planned,

on the floor beside Maria's foot. She

He placed his arm in front of her again, shielding her as best as he could. Two junior associates flanked them, trying to widen the path.

"She's here. That's her."

is the woman who

a tablet at her. It showed a picture of Cassandra's smiling face-one of the press kit images from last year. "You see

else grabbed Maria's elbow. "Why won't you say something?! Say