Chapter 360: She Was Just a Shield
Adrian’s eyes were cold and fierce, the curve of his lips seemingly filled with extreme sarcasm.
The male reporter, held by the collar, felt his heart skip a beat. His expression was panicked, and his face betrayed an undeniable fear.
"I... I’m sorry. We made assumptions about Miss Vaughn’s private matters without proper investigation."
Adrian coldly scanned everyone present, and with a bang, let go of the reporter’s collar.
He did it ruthlessly, and the reporter almost stumbled to the ground, landing clumsily in humiliation.
However, under Adrian’s authority, no one dared to laugh even a little. The atmosphere felt heavy, so intense that it seemed suffocating.
"As journalists, have you ever considered doing rigorous reporting, based on the reality of the situation? Can you even call yourselves media professionals?"
In the chilling air, his voice was like sandpaper grating against the heart, every word striking heavily.
"Have you ever thought about how easily your words could ruin someone else’s life?"
...
In this moment, no one could fail to feel Adrian’s profound anger.
Seeing his stern and dignified face, everyone present bowed their heads in shame.
Even those among the crowd who were shouting the loudest wished they could find a hole to crawl into.
"We... we..."
Indeed, Cecilia Vaughn, as the Eldest Miss Vaughn and official heir to Radiant Group, had no need to latch onto a sponsor.
Though the inside story was unknown, Cecilia Vaughn and The Second Young Master Law, Tyson Law, were a couple three years ago. With such a partner, why would she bother with someone like Reginald Trent, a sleazy pig obsessed with women?
Three years later, Adrian had furthermore appointed Cecilia Vaughn as his wife. Only someone kicked by a mule would think of seeking a sugar daddy, right?
...
Seeing everyone’s shame-filled faces, Cecilia still felt little relief and refused to accept their so-called apologies.
When the matter of imprisonment and murder was exposed, the tightest string in her heart had already snapped.
This was her darkest past, the thing she least wanted to discuss...
The girl rubbed her weary brow and lightly tugged Adrian’s arm.
"Adrian, let’s go."
"Alright."
Adrian nodded slightly, gently holding her in his arms.
Feeling the warmth from the man’s fingers, Cecilia’s tense brow slowly relaxed.
...
Almost as soon as they left, the news exploded on Weibo again.
However, this time, it was no longer about Cecilia Vaughn’s chaotic private life, but about revealing various facts concerning several beauties from Stellerton University’s Cold Department.
"Shock! The gold-digging woman suddenly morphs into The Eldest Young Master Law’s wife? What lies behind this secret marriage?"
There were also stories about the tangled emotional drama between Cecilia Vaughn, Fiona Vaughn, and Tyson Law.
"The cold department’s beauty is the half-sister of national goddess Fiona Vaughn? She was once The Second Young Master Law’s fiancée. Who’s right and who’s wrong in the Vaughn Family’s inheritance battle?"
"The Eldest Young Master Law? The Second Young Master Law? Young Master Trent? Unveiling Cecilia Vaughn’s numerous romantic histories and the truth behind imprisonment and murder..."
...
Meanwhile, Florence Warner, who had been lying in the hospital earlier, tearfully accepted a reporter’s interview.
In the broadcast, she changed from her previous fierce and capricious demeanor to express her regret to Cecilia Vaughn. She explained that the Vaughn Family house was Cecilia’s grandfather’s property, but she couldn’t stand her lack of respect for elders.
Her words subtly revealed concerns about Cecilia Vaughn’s complicated romantic history.
Facing the camera, Florence’s pale brows and eyes were brimming with tears.
"Cecilia... Her relationship with Young Master Trent, son of Stellerton University’s former director, I can’t speak much on... But Tyson chose to break off his engagement with Cecilia back then partly because of this issue."
"Now that Cecilia is married to The Eldest Young Master Law, I’m really scared she’s doing this out of love for Tyson, marrying his brother for revenge... It’s always Gregory and I who are at fault for not educating the child well, causing her to be imprisoned..."
Florence’s contradictory words painted herself and Fiona in a glowing light while insinuating Cecilia foolishly married for revenge against a jerk.
Reporters smelling gossip, led on by the money they had been paid, asked.
"Mrs. Vaughn, do you mean that the hidden marriage between the Eldest Miss Vaughn and The Eldest Young Master Law is just a farce?"
Florence pretended to be nervous, covering her face that appeared artificially smooth from plastic surgery, her voice trembling.
"I... I don’t know..."
She choked for a moment, speaking emotionally to the camera.
"Cecilia, you might also be watching Auntie’s livestream. Child, turn back before it’s too late. Don’t be obsessed with emotions for Tyson and marry someone you don’t love. The prison sentence is all in the past, take care of yourself... Family is always your support."
The reporter looked sympathetic as well.
"Motherly love knows no bounds. Even if she’s not your biological child, over the past decade, it’s clear you have feelings for the Eldest Miss Vaughn."
"Yes, I used to care about Cecilia’s matters the most..."
...
Cecilia Vaughn took out her phone and casually flipped through several comments under Florence’s livestream. Sure enough, many people had been led astray by Florence.
—I seriously doubt Cecilia Vaughn and Adrian Law are treating marriage like a joke, one doing it to spite ex-boyfriend Tyson Law, another due to frigidity, finding a cover.
—Exactly, how many true loves can there be in the world? Many people are saying The Eldest Young Master Law imprisoned those journalists and rumormongers for Cecilia Vaughn, but they’re just faking marriage, only to protect their reputation.
—Did Cecilia Vaughn marry into the Law Family planning to rekindle things with Tyson Law again? Gosh, I truly worry for Fiona; she’s turning from sister-in-law to rival!
—My goddess is so pitiful! The wedding is at the end of this month; don’t let it be ruined by a female murderer!
...
Quickly scrolling through the comments, Cecilia Vaughn showed a faintly absurd smile.
—She initially thought of watching Fiona’s wedding from the sidelines, but now, having been brought to this point by this mother-daughter duo, she won’t let Fiona slide by easily, unless she turns it around completely!
Adrian Law stepped over, took a glance, his expression tinged with frosty chill.
"I’ll dispatch Wyatt to delete all these comments; Cecilia... don’t feel sad."
Cecilia Vaughn looked at Adrian Law seriously, shaking her head lightly.
"No need to delete."
Adrian Law frowned. "Why?"
Cecilia Vaughn’s beautiful eyes narrowed, her long lashes casting a faint shadow on her eyelids.
"Being chased down to the school and cursed, these are just keyboard warriors behind a screen; I’m not that fragile."
"With me here, you’ll never need to be afraid."
Adrian Law’s heart cramped slightly. He reached to embrace Cecilia Vaughn’s shoulders, his voice domineering.
"Cecilia, you’re allowed to lean on me, feeling sad for a minute..."