Chapter 5
“So, have you remarried? Any new kids?”
They twisted the topic, and suddenly the media‘ s attention shifted to accusing me of abandoning my children and my elderly father.
The crowd started murmuring, accusing me of being a terrible daughter and an
even worse mom.
“Everyone, my sister was really young and maybe a little impulsive back then,” Leanne told the reporters, flashing a sweet smile at the camera. “She certainly didn’t mean to. Now that she’s back, let’s not bring up the past.”
“She’s really so considerate, isn’t
she?”
“Can you imagine being like Leanna? Gone for 20 years, and no visits to her parents and children?”
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“What kind of mom does that? Gosh, her poor kids must‘ ve had it rough.”
Whispers filled the crowd, all the words clearly reaching my ears.
Seeing that I didn’t respond, the media continued pressing.
“Miss Barrymore, how does it feel to attend the wedding anniversary of your step–sister and ex–husband today?”
I glanced at my father, acting like some frail old man, and at Leanne, playing the perfect victim while dragging me through the mud.
Keeping calm, I slowly said, “I’m here to drop off a gift, of course. As for why I left. back then, I’m not ready to talk about that. But I’ll clear up a few things. First, I’m not married. Second, I adopted three kids. And finally, I didn‘ t just run off and leave my biological children behind.”
“What?”
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“You have three kids now?”
The crowd erupted into a commotion once again.
“I’ve also developed my career in Australia,” I added. “In fact, I’m acquainted with Duncan Chadbourne–you know, the world’s richest guy. Today, I brought an unreleased product from his company, ElectroBot Inc. It’s an AI dog, and it’s a gift to my step–sister and my ex- husband for their 20th anniversary. If anyone’s curious, feel free to check it out.”
The reporters immediately shifted their focus, taking shots of the AI dog with their
cameras.
Meanwhile, Willow, who had been
watching from the side for a while, stared at me in disbelief as if still stunned by the fact that I knew the world’s richest guy.
I knew why they‘ d planned this whole. celebration. Hannergy Technologies was
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about to go public, and it needed the buzz to boost its stock prices. They wanted to use their “20–year perfect marriage” as a PR stunt. So, I deliberately leaked the truth: how Leanne had been a homewrecker who
forced me out to come back to the U.S.
They had no choice but to drag me here to clarify things. After all, the more the topic is discussed, the better it would have
benefited their IPO.
But their plan backfired. Instead, I used this chance to promote Duncan’s AI dog. It was perfect timing for its launch next week.
Once the reporters left, Leanne dropped the act. She smashed her wine glass and yelled, “You did that on purpose to steal my spotlight! You‘ re jealous of me! You hate how happy I am now, so you ruined everything! The media didn’t even care about me–they only wanted pictures of that stupid robot dog. Why did you even come back? Why?!”
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Harla stood beside her but was unable to stop her, so then he turned to me and said, “Leanna, I know you‘ re still hung up on me. That’s why you wanted to get revenge on Leanne today. But it’s been 20 years! Can’t you let go already?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Harlan, have you ever looked in the mirror? With that beer belly and greasy face? You think I’m still into you?”
“Wait, do you really know Duncan. Chadbourne?” Willow cut in, unable to
hold back.
“Yes, and we‘ re close.”
“Then introduce Hannergy Technologies to him! If we can partner with ElectroBot Inc., it’ll take our company to the next level!”
I just stared at him. The shamelessness of these two–it must run in the family.
