Chapter 200
Although he was irritated by Lexi’s apparent lack of caution, his concern for her was far greater.
If that man had actually pushed her into the sea, Logan wouldn’t have hesitated for a second before jumping in after her.
“Thank you p>
Lexi gently tucked a few strands of windblown hair behind her ear and spoke softly.
She knew danger could lurk around her at any moment, but she hadn’t expected someone to be bold enough to attack her in a place like this.
The thought sent a chill through her chest.
“You don’t need to thank me. To make sure that man doesn’t try anything else, you’re going to stay right beside me from now on. Wherever I go, you go p>
Logan looked down at her coolly, his tone leaving little room for argument.
“I’ll make sure to stay where there are plenty of people. That way, the culprit won’t get another chance p>
Lexi smiled as she politely declined his offer.
If she followed Logan around, Lisa would undoubtedly see them together and start another round of trouble.
Just imagining the scene exhausted Lexi.
“Fine. Have it your way p>
Logan was already harboring resentment toward her, so his words came out harsher than he intended. Despite his irritation, he remained deeply worried about her.
After watching him head back inside, Lexi glanced around the deck before quickly following him.
The culprit was still lurking somewhere out there, while she had no idea who he was or what he might do next.
If he decided to attack again, she’d have little chance of defending herself. It was best to avoid secluded areas altogether.
She had barely taken a few steps into the cabin when a group of reporters of uncertain origin suddenly surrounded her.
The camera flashes were so blinding that she had to narrow her eyes.
“Miss Lexi, what do you have to say about those explicit photographs of yourself p>
“Miss Lexi, have you abandoned your innocent image and decided to embrace a more mature, seductive persona p>
The questions came one after another.
Lexi had anticipated this possibility before attending the party and had prepared herself mentally.
But now, faced with the microphones thrust toward her, she found herself unable to utter any of the responses she’d rehearsed.
Without realizing it, she clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug deep into her palms.
Lexi slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again.
Looking past the gossip-hungry reporters who were desperate to extract an answer from her, she fixed her gaze on Lauren.
Lauren and Isabella stood behind the reporters, watching the spectacle unfold as though they were enjoying a show.
They must have been the ones who brought these reporters aboard.
A bitter taste filled Lexi’s mouth.
She gritted her teeth and was about to answer the reporters’ pointed questions when a low, chilling voice sounded from behind her.
“Wouldn’t it be better to ask me p>
Sebastian appeared in a black suit and neatly knotted tie.
His expression was composed, his features striking, and there was no visible sign that the negative publicity had affected him.
He looked so powerful, so unshakable, that his mere presence gave Lexi an unexpected surge of courage.
He walked over, reached out, and pulled her into his arms.
The reporters had come intending to interview Lexi. Now that Sebastian had appeared, they exchanged uncertain glances. A few even turned to look at Lauren.
Sebastian was well aware of the games being played among them.
He cleared his throat and smiled faintly.
“I can answer all the questions you asked earlier. If you’re hoping to make tomorrow’s headlines, ask away. I’ll answer whatever I can p>
His words visibly relieved the reporters.
But Sebastian was a man whose thoughts were notoriously difficult to read. None of them dared push him as aggressively as they’d pushed Lexi.
Instead, they settled for a few relatively harmless questions.
“Regarding the explicit photographs of Miss Lexi, I can explain what happened,” Sebastian began unhurriedly. “The man in those photographs is me. Miss Lexi and I were together in that hotel room. We assumed the hotel would offer sufficient privacy, but apparently someone managed to photograph us. That has led to all sorts of bizarre speculation. I suppose I should have been more careful p>
As he spoke, he tightened his arms around Lexi.
His revelation sent a wave of shock through the crowd.
Even Lexi lifted her head to stare at him.
The man’s face in the photographs had been too blurred to identify. Technically, Sebastian could claim to be the man without anyone being able to disprove it.
But for him to take responsibility for the scandal so publicly was an enormous sacrifice. Lexi found it difficult to bear the thought of what he was risking for her.
“Mr. Blackwood, weren’t you dating Miss Lauren? How did you end up sharing a hotel room with Miss Lexi and appearing in those photographs p>
One reporter finally voiced the question everyone was thinking.
Sebastian smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward Lauren, who had been standing aside as though none of this concerned her.
“That’s a question you should ask Miss Lauren. I’m sure she can give you an answer p>
The moment Sebastian directed the attention toward her, Lauren’s heart sank. She instinctively took a step backward.
Although the reporters had initially been acting on Lauren’s instructions, their hunger for an exclusive story quickly outweighed their loyalty to her.
They turned on her without hesitation.
Lauren licked her dry lips and forced a smile.
“Because I lost my memory after falling from a height, I’ve forgotten many things. I honestly don’t know how any of this happened. I’m sorry I can’t give you a proper explanation p>
“So, because you’ve lost your memory, you’ve forgotten that you and Mr. Blackwood had already broken up? Is that why this misunderstanding has become such a huge issue p>
Lisa emerged from the crowd with a smile.
She moved with the elegance of a beautiful swan, but her voice was cold and razor-sharp, each word cutting deep into Lauren.
“Miss Lauren, had you and Mr. Blackwood already broken up before your accident? Could you explain the circumstances in more detail p>
Sensing the possibility of a sensational scoop, the reporters pressed her even harder.
“My sister never broke up with Sebastian! This woman seduced him p>
Isabella, who seemed to have changed little despite the time that had passed, couldn’t contain herself any longer.
Seeing her sister cornered, she jumped in to defend her, completely unaware that her outburst would only make things worse.
The reporters seized on her words with renewed excitement. They stopped focusing solely on Lauren and turned their attention to Isabella instead.
Within moments, Isabella became the center of their interrogation.
The scene grew increasingly chaotic. The reporters’ eyes gleamed like those of hungry wolves who’d just discovered a feast on a winter night.
Trapped in the middle of the crowd, Isabella felt a chill run through her. She immediately regretted opening her mouth.
“Miss Lauren, what’s wrong p>
The reporters cried out in alarm when Lauren suddenly rolled her eyes and collapsed to the floor.