Chapter 102
The press conference spiraled into chaos, with accusations flying at Celine from every direction.
Adam’s gaze was ice–cold, a flicker of exasperation crossing his otherwise impassive face. Did Celine not realize this was like walking into the lion’s den? How reckless could she be to come here alone?
“What the hell?” Nathan muttered under his breath. He stepped forward, ready to shield Celine from the growing mob. However, someone had already beat him to it. Adam moved swiftly, his long strides cutting through the crowd.
Nathan was speechless. What kind of wingman was he? What a way to read the room.
However, the chaotic room fell eerily silent. Celine, surrounded by hostile faces, lifted her head. Her clear, unwavering gaze swept over the crowd. Though she didn’t raise her voice, the quiet authority in her gaze commanded attention. The sheer strength in her demeanor made everyone hold their breath.
Adam froze mid–step. He had never seen this side of her before.
The reporters now stood dumbstruck. Something about Celine’s presence was intimidating.
After letting her gaze linger on each face, Celine’s eyes locked onto Larry. “Did you really think I came here alone?”
Larry flinched. “What are you talking about?”
Suddenly, Robin’s voice rang out. “There he is! That’s Larry!”
All heads turned to see a team of uniformed police officers entering the room. The tension in the air became palpable as they marched directly toward Larry, presenting an arrest warrant.
“Larry Slick, you’re under arrest for extortion, kidnapping, and attempted rape,” the officer declared. The click of handcuffs echoed like a thunderclap.
The press conference exploded into chaos. Everything escalated so quickly, and nobody had any idea what was going on. The once–pitied man was now revealed as a dangerous criminal.
Benjamin was dumbfounded. “Officers, there has to be some mistake. He’s a simple villager, an honest man. Extortion? Kidnapping? Attempted rape? Who did he even try to assault?”
“He tried to rape me!”
Those words struck like a hammer, reverberating in everyone’s ears.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as they turned their stunned faces toward Celine. However, no one was more shaken than Larry, Lucy, and Carly.
At that moment, Robin ran to Celine’s side. As her best friend, she refused to let Celine face this alone.
Celine raised a photograph for everyone to see. It was the very image Larry had used to blackmail her. Facing the cameras and reporters, her voice carried unwavering strength.
“Yes, Larry is my adoptive father, but he’s also a pedophile. Ten years ago, he was convicted of abusing and molesting children and sentenced to ten years in prison.
The room went still. Every pair of eyes locked onto the photograph in her hand.
Celine’s voice didn’t falter as she continued. “He was released recently and came straight for me. First, he tried to blackmail me for 100 million using this photo. Then, he knocked me unconscious in a club, kidnapped me, and dragged me to a mountain cave where he attempted to rape me.”
She pulled out a small recording device. Her sharp gaze pinned Larry in place. “I’ve been wearing this hidden camera. It has recorded every single crime you committed.”
Larry’s face went pale in disbelief. He didn’t expect Celine to carry a recording device all along. How could she?
Celine stepped forward, closing the distance between them. She leaned in slightly to talk to Larry, but her eyes were locked on Lucy.
“I was the first to know you were released. You thought you had me trapped, didn’t you? But the truth is, I’ve been waiting for you. Ten years behind bars wasn’t enough for what you’ve done. This time, I’ll make sure you never see the light of day again.”
