Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 178

Chapter 178

She crushed the paper in her hand into a tight ball and raised up her head, her eyes ablaze with determination.

“I’m done,” she started, her voice trembling, but resolute. “I’m done letting someone else dictate my life. I’m done being defined by lies” She didn’t take abreath, as she added, “And I’m done standing by while my family, my company, and my name are dragged through the mud!”

She paused, taking a deep breath, her heart pounding like a drum, “I am a mother, a daughter, and the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS. But all those aside, I am a human being, and I am not going to let my sweat be dragged in the mud by a coward who hides, masquerading behind false accusations.”

The room fell silent, reporters hanging onto her every word. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny, but she didn’t falter. Instead, she leaned into the microphone; her voice, steady, raw with emotion ringing out.

“Annie says she’s been kidnapped, and somehow she has managed to turn this all around and painy me as some kind of villain! But let me make one thing very clear: I had nothing to do with her disappearance. My mother, my children, my whole life has been turned upside down because of this.” Her voice cracked, but she pressed on, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

“I have endured years of Annie’s manipulations, her schemes, and her fueled attempts to destroy me and my relationships with my people. I’ve bitten my tongue and waited for her to snap out of it. I’ve forgiven her more times than can count, thinking she might change. But not any longer. I am no longer playing nice. I am done waiting for her to wake up and see the damage she’s caused. Annie destroyed my marriage, tried to kill me and my children a million times over, and yet I forgave her. A few weeks ago, she still tried to kill me in the hospital, and if Vivian Black hadn’t come in time, I would have died. Annie had always been jealous of me and wanted just what wanted.”

fight, Annie?” her voice was low, yet threaded with fire. “Then bring it on. But let me tell

doubted me, taken it upon yourselves to believe these lies being told about me, I ask that you open your eyes. Look at the facts rather than the concocted stories tabled before you to destroy me.”

through the room, but Emma didn’t bat an eyelid. She had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, yet so powerful. “I’m done being silenced. My son, Ethan, and his colleagues.” Tears welled up in Emma’s eyes. “were attacked at his daycare few months ago minutes after Annie physically threatened me,” she finished, her voice rising. “The truth will come out, and when it does,

falling as she steadied herself. Slowly, she lowered her head in respect.

her voice steady despite the turmoil

the crowd until she came upon a young reporter near the front. His eyes were

stood up and cleared his throat. “Mrs. Black, are you insinuating that Miss Annie orchestrated her own kidnapping?”

then looked at him in the eye and answered, “Yes.” The room exploded in gasps and the sound

Feb 1 B.

Chapter 178

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police are already doing a great deal of work in bringing out the truth, and it’s only a matter of time before we know for

“Annie is quite capable of such deception. You don’t have to take my word for it, but you can look into her past. Five