Mia’s POV
I stepped out of
of the media room, my legs killing me. In a moment, a sea of reporters and camera crews swarmed around me. They were held at arm’s length by the broadcasting security team, but their relentless flashing lights and rapid camera shutters made me uncomfortable.
“Miss Walton, a word, please Their cries blended together in a cacophony and kept me on edge. I flashed my secretary a look, I had specifically told her to make sure that a situation like this wouldn’t occur.
The other interviews had obliged my request, so I couldn’t understand what was happening.
Kendra looked horrified and I knew that she was just as surprised about this as I was
“Miss Walton, I specifically made sure this wouldn’t happen. I don’t know what went wrong, the CEO whispered to me, his shallow stressed breathing depicting his confusion. “We’ll find a way to take care of this.”
I waved off his apology, keeping my expression as plain as possible.
Your
newest project, Amor Luxe, surpassed half a billion dollars barely a week after its official launch. How did that make you feel?”
Realizing I couldn’t escape without providing some kind of response, I replied, “Just as I answered during the interview, I feel blessed and loved beyond words can describe. This is a milestone for me despite the fact that I am just starting out, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
“There are rumors that your comeback is a form of revenge against your ex–husband, CEO of Schaeffer’s Group. What do you have to say about that?”
The question took me aback but I reminded myself of the first rule. Never let your expression show what’s truly on your mind. So I held my head high and responded.
“My return has nothing to do with the Schaeffers. I came back solely to familiarize myself with the business world in preparation to take over my father’s Companies”
“Did you really have a memory loss? Does that mean you can Schaeffer?
That has already been cleared.”
recall anything from your past, including your marriage to Mr
Believing I had answered enough, I was crowded by even more questions,
“Your profile mentioned nothing about your time together with Mr Schaeffex. Was this an error on your part, or did you deliberately leave it out?”
“Um…” Now, I was in an actual frenzy. “I have to go now.”
But they weren’t having it.
“Is Mr Walton your biological father or just a father figure!”
“You and Mr Miller had quite a passionate dance at your launch. Was it part of the event or is there something going on between you [wo?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t take any more questions. I told my driver to pick me up around this time, and I don’t want to keep him waiting.” I said, but in truth, I did not want to answer any more of their ridiculous questions about my marriage with Xander or my memory
Joss
They were not having it and they continued to bombard me with questions. The security team tried their best to keep them away from me, but they couldn’t create a passage for me to leave. Kendra stood beside me, her eyes alerted and I felt myself becoming øyerwhelmed with the whole thing.
“This is highly unprofessional,” a cold voice cut through the crowd from the back. A voice I never expected to hear today. “If you continue to pressure her like this, it’s no longer considered as doing your job. It’s a threat.”
Xander stepped forward, and surprisingly, the crowd cleared a passage for him.
“Miss Walton here is obviously not interested in answering any more questions, and it is your duty to respect that,” his tone was commanding, and everywhere instantly fell silent. He faced me, a smile on his lips. “Mia, I came to pick you up. Shall we?” He held out
His arm.
622 AM
Chapter 18
Although no one spoke, the camera’s lights were blinding.
I scanned around; my guards were nowhere in sight, and my ride was absent, too. Xander seemed like the only one who could help me escape from the turmoil.
Suddenly, everything made sense, and my gaze averted to Xander again, who still held a knowing smile.
This was his doing.
Xander’s guards swiftly formed a barrier around me and created a path, allowing me to walk safely past the throng of reporters.
I declined his offer to lead me but I could sense his gaze watching me as I walked. When he suddenly opened the car door for me, I shot him a surprised glance. His bold move had clearly caught me off guard.
I understood what he was trying to do and I should have seen it coming when I refused every of his request to
p meet me.
Xander’s gesture was not only to create the public impression that we were allies amidst the cold rumors but also to plant distrust in the hearts of the ones who had invested in my company as a form of retaliation against him.
“What did you do to my driver?” I asked, hesitating from stepping into his car.
Nothing serious, just a little threat,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand but I was skeptical. My eyes narrowed, searching for any hint of deception.
“I promise, he’s safe. He added, his tone reassuring.
Yet, despite my better judgment, I found myself believing his words, naive to the possibility that he might be lying just like he always does
“My hands are starting to hurt,” he said, groaning playfully. It annoyed me that he found this funny, and the urge to smack the smirk off his face grew increasingly strong.
Being alone with him might be risky but with the swarm of reporters and Kendra present, 1 felt a sense of security
If anything were to happen to me, Xander would undoubtedly be the prime suspect and he knew this
With that knowledge, I accepted his invitation.
“Water?” Xander offered as the car hit the road. I started to refuse, but my parched throat, due to how much I panicked, made me reconsider. So I collected the bottle, checked that it was still sealed, and then took a cautious sip.
“Given how cautious you’ve been around me, I’m surprised you didn’t try to find out if the water was poisoned.”
Instantly, I choked on the water and shot him a sharp glare.
“Easy now,” he grinned mischievously, “You may be my rival but assuming I’d attempt to kill you over that is laughable.”
I almost scoffed at his denial, fighting back the urge to remind him of just how much of a murderer he was.
“Lest I forget, my men may have roughed up your guards a little. A few bruises here and there, but nothing too serious. I’ll cover the cost of whatever treatment they receive,” he said casually. “You should hire stronger men. If you want, I can recommend an agency-
“Is this funny to you?” I asked, my voice tight with annoyance. “You think it’s amusing that your men assaulted mine?”
“No, of course not, he scoffed. “But you’re the one who ignored all of my requests to meet so I took it as a shy response and came to you instead. If you still had your memory you’d know that I don’t take rejection too well.”
“I was use
busy, and I don’t have to meet you if I don’t want to.
To that, he laughed ridiculously. At the same time, my phone beeped; it was a text message from Nathan.
–“Hey, Kendra called. Are you okay? Where are you? Should I come over? Why aren’t you taking my call”
–“You don’t have to come, I’m okay, I’ll be at the lounge soon. Besides, you have to stay back to meet Irene.” I shot him a quick response.
“You know it’s rude to be on your
on your phone when you have company, right?” Xander’s words had me averting my gaze.
“I consider you more of a disturbance than a company, Mr Schaeffer.”
He chuckled, “You’re the first woman to ever say that to me, but it’s ironic because you used to say the exact opposite when we were
12/31
Chapter 18
married.”‘
1 ignored his comment, darting my gaze to the road ahead and that was when I noticed that the route we were taking wasn’t familiar to
- mc.
“This is not my way,” I shot him a stare.
“I know,” he replied calmly. “We have a meeting scheduled in three minutes. I’ve added it to your calendar.”
My jaw fell “without my consent?”
We already clarified that.”
“Who do you think you are to do that?” I asked, stunned.
“Alexander Schaeffer. He responded, his tone laced with sheer arrogance.
I started to argue when my phone beeped, it was another text from Nathan.
-Trene’s here”
glanced at Xander and it was my turn to smirk
“Fine. Let’s have that meeting now, Mr Schaeffer.”
