A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 261

The press conference had wound down, the last of the flashbulbs flickering into silence, when suddenly all eyes turned to the woman at the center of a whirlwind of scandal—Matilda. Yet, there was a collective hush, as if by unspoken agreement, the gathered reporters held their questions until every other interview had concluded.

Baxter gestured for Matilda to take the stage, and with the confidence of a Hollywood starlet, she strode forward, offering a graceful bow.

To the onlookers, Matilda exuded elegance and propriety. Her makeup was tasteful, her demeanor far from the fidgety guilt of someone with skeletons in their closet.

With a radiant smile, she greeted the press, "Hello everyone, I'm Dawn from 'Love Evolution' Studios."

The room held its breath.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about me lately—rumors on the internet that range from the absurd to the downright fictional. Some say I'm a murderer from five years back, others claim I've got a personal vendetta against Mia, and there are whispers that I'm a femme fatale scheming to marry into wealth. Today, I'd like to set the record straight," she said with a candidness that caught everyone off guard.

Yvan, watching from the sidelines, felt his heart rate spike. The prospect of Matilda revealing her past in such a public forum filled him with more anxiety than he cared to admit. He feared the past she would divulge might be the very one he had once scorned and now deeply regretted.

Matilda's smile didn't waver as the cameras trained on her. She seated herself on a couch center stage, her posture impeccable—a testament to her refined upbringing, a clear indication that she was no stranger to culture and class.

Chin tilted with a blend of pride and warmth, Matilda's expression was reminiscent of that which belonged to a Thompson—talented, aristocratic, serene without a hint of guile.

"The speculations about my true identity have been many, and I've seen the remarks made by Miss Mia. People have asked me why I haven't retaliated. My answer is simple: it's not necessary. It's not worth it. To engage in a mud-slinging match with someone who's clearly out to smear my name would only lower my own standards," she declared with a poise that silenced any doubters.

Indeed, Matilda had never been one to indulge in petty squabbles. What she held in her hands, she knew to be rightfully hers.

"And as for the rumors linking me romantically to Mr. Farrell and Mr. Boyd, consider this: nothing of the sort happened before our studio went public. Why then, once 'Love Evolution' became the talk of the town, did the tide of public opinion suddenly turn against me? The answer might lie in the fact that I represent the studio. Any stain on my reputation could tarnish the entire company. Perhaps this is all a calculated move by our competitors. Do you see what I'm getting at?"

Matilda was clever, not directly addressing the rumors, but instead suggesting their origin, planting a seed of doubt in the minds of the media and redirecting their focus from the veracity of the rumors to their motivations. She left them with a hazy notion that perhaps it was all due to the studio's success, insinuating that the smear campaign might just be the handiwork of a rival.