Chapter 186
The room fell into an expectant hush as soon as Alexander Lancaster strode into the hall. His presence, commanding and magnetic, seemed to shift the very air around him.
Reporters, particularly the women, barely suppressed their gasps, captivated by the striking, sharp-featured man who was every bit as imposing as his reputation suggested. The Vice Chairman and CEO of Lancaster Group, the country’s largest business conglomerate, didn’t just enter a room—he dominated it.
He stepped up to the microphone, adjusting it slightly to accommodate his height, the simple action drawing everyone’s eyes to him. His expression was composed, but a flicker of steel glinted in his gaze. The rapid flash of cameras made his features even more striking, lighting up his chiselled jawline as he began to speak.
“Thank you all for being here today,” Alexander said, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “I’m Alexander Lancaster, and I want to address the rumours circulating about my marriage to Rain Clayton p>
A pause followed. The tension in the room was thick as the reporters leaned in, hanging on his every word. “First and foremost, I want to clarify that my marriage to Rain Clayton is genuine. Contrary to recent claims, there was no fraudulent activity surrounding our registration. We entered this commitment willingly, and any assertion otherwise is entirely unfounded p>
Murmurs immediately erupted from the crowd.
“Wow, he really married her?” one reporter whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Does this mean the rumours were really false?” another asked in hushed tones, sounding disappointed that the juicy scandal was unravelling.
“How did this Rain Clayton manage to marry him?” someone muttered.
Alexander’s gaze swept across the hall, silencing the whispers momentarily. “I understand there has been speculation, including the claim that someone impersonated us during the registration process. I assure you, such accusations are baseless, and we will pursue legal action against those spreading these falsehoods p>
Reporters exchanged glances, some whispering furiously to their colleagues.
“Legal action… he’s not playing around,” one reporter murmured.
Another nodded. “He’s deadly serious. Lancaster Group will not take this lightly p>
Alexander leaned forward slightly, his tone firm but calm. “This situation has caused unnecessary damage not only to our family but also to the Bureau of Civil Affairs. We are cooperating fully with them to clear any misunderstandings. However, let this be a warning—any attempts at defamation, whether through rumour or false reporting, will be met with the full weight of legal consequences p>
The room fell silent once again, the reporters clearly realizing the gravity of the situation. Alexander could sense the reporters itching to interject. But he had come prepared. “I will not be taking any questions at this time,” he stated firmly, cutting off the murmurs of protest. “This is a statement, not an open forum. I expect everyone to respect that p>
He surveyed the room, his gaze piercing as he reiterated, “As I said, I will ensure that those who have spread these lies will face the consequences of their actions. This is a formal warning: we will pursue all legal avenues to address defamation and protect the integrity of my family p>
The gravity of his words hung heavily in the air, and for a moment, the reporters seemed taken aback by his unyielding stance. “Let this be clear: any further dissemination of false information will not be tolerated. We have already begun to gather evidence, and I assure you, our legal team is more than capable of holding accountable those who choose to perpetuate these damaging rumours p>
The intensity of Alexander’s words lingered in the air, leaving the room in stunned silence as he finished his speech. “Rest assured, I will not allow anyone to tarnish Rain’s reputation or the sanctity of our marriage. Thank you for your time,” he concluded with authority, stepping away from the microphone and walking out without looking back.
As the door closed behind him, the room came back to life, reporters finally releasing the breaths they hadn’t realized they were holding.
“This is huge! I didn’t know I was holding my breath all this time,” one reporter blurted out, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Right?” another chimed in, still wide-eyed. “It’s not just about looks or fame with Alexander Lancaster. He’s clearly serious about Rain Clayton p>
“But still, Carla Cartier is on another level,” someone murmured thoughtfully. “To replace someone like her? That’s hard to imagine p>
“And with Carla coming back soon, this is only going to get messier,” another added, scribbling notes. “The public will compare Rain to Carla—it’ll be tough to come out on top of that p>
“Yeah, but let’s not forget, Rain Clayton isn’t just some random person,” another reporter pointed out. “Although an illegitimate daughter, she’s still from the Clayton family—huge in the medical and healthcare industry. And she’s a prosecutor now married into the Lancaster family. That name carries its own weight p>
The whispers continued. A mix of admiration, shock, and disbelief filled the room as they discussed how Rain Clayton might hold her ground against the legacy of Carla Cartier. But one thing was clear—this story was far from over, and it was only going to get more explosive from here especially once Carla Cartier was back.
At Lamey Country
As Carla watched Alexander’s press conference, her frustration boiled over. She grabbed a heavy vase from the coffee table and hurled it at the television, screaming, “No The vase shattered upon impact, sending shards of glass and ceramic flying across the room, but the sound of the shattering glass couldn’t drown out the words Alexander spoke as it echoed in her mind.
“How dare he!” she seethed, her heart racing. The audacity of Alexander to confirm his marriage to Rain Clayton infuriated her. Memories of their past flooded her thoughts. She had always believed that when the time came, he would be there, always waiting for her. But he didn’t!
“It’s that bitch’s fault! I’m sure she did something to Alexander. I’m sure this… this is not true! Alexander is mine!” she hysterically spat, nipping at her fingers as the anger boiled within her.
She paced the room, her mind racing. “This can’t be happening!” she muttered under her breath, her chest tightening as she felt like she was losing air to breathe.
With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone from the table. “I can’t let this continue,” she said resolutely, her fingers shaking as she dialled a familiar number.
“Hello,” a deep voice answered on the other end.
“I need your help. You’re the only one I can turn to,” Carla sobbed, her voice trembling with desperation.