Love Contract novel Chapter 77

"Let's get right to the point, shall we?" Mary clasped her hands together, and she straightened her back. The stage had overlooked many reporters. All of them looked eager to hear her out as they leaned in closer with their microphones out in the open.

Flashes of lights flickered around the stage as clicking sounds thundered across the hall. Although a part of her felt overwhelmed by the people surrounding her, she pulled herself steady and took a deep breath. 'It's now or never, ' she thought.

"The person you saw in the video is indeed my father," she started, and the entire hall fell silent. They waited on her words with bated breath, afraid that they would miss anything integral to their reports.

"But look at this." Mary pulled out a divorce certificate signed by both her parents. "My father and mother have divorced two years ago. I don't want to talk about this in detail.

But the so-called 'brother' my father has mentioned is a boy I've never met." Her hollow voice echoed across the hall. She continued, "My father said that he was only one-year-old. It's obvious that he must've remarried. In fact, ever since he divorced my mother, I've never seen him for two years.

So when he said I refused to save his son, that didn't happen. I didn't even know that he had a son in the first place."

When she finished, the crowds before her burst into an uproar. Questions were flung back and forth as they tried to dig deeper into this mystery.

"Wait! She didn't know?"

"They've already divorced?"

"As for the alimony, it's already clearly stated under the marriage law, so I won't bother repeating it here." Mary stared at the reporters unflinchingly. "Also, I don't have any legal responsibility to take care of his sick child."

With a deep breath, she stated, "Honestly, I was supposed to let this topic die down by itself, but due to all the commotion that it had caused, I was afraid that it could damage your perception of the AJ Group. I hope what I've said today could clarify everything that has been said throughout this entire ordeal."

At an unnoticeable corner on the second floor of the venue, William and Frank stared from above, analyzing the situation below them.

"She really can handle it." Frank nodded, impressed by the professionalism that she had portrayed. "Indeed." William frowned. He stared at the woman below. It was rare to see such a bubbly young woman be so cold under the flashing lights of the cameras.

"Do you have anything else you want to ask me?" Mary questioned.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Lan," one male reporter spoke up. "Don't you feel the slightest bit of sympathy for your father? Although your parents have divorced, don't you feel that it's your moral obligation to help him?"

She stiffened. Her fingernails dug into her palm, but she forced herself to calm down. "When he doesn't have the ability to work, as his daughter, I will naturally fulfill my obligation to assist him. Are there any other questions?"

"Mrs. Lan," another reporter questioned. "Your father said in an interview that you wouldn't pay for your brother's treatment. Is that true?"

"First of all, I would like to clarify that he's not my brother," she corrected. "And to answer your question, yes, that's true. Even if I will pay for his hospital expenses, it would not be because I'm his sister."

The reporter furrowed his eyebrows and pursed his lips. "Don't you think that's a little harsh even if you're of no relations to him? I mean, isn't he your step brother at the very least?"

"Yes, yes!" one yelled out in agreement. "It is heartless!" another person agreed.

"You've gone too far."

Now, the hall was filled with frenzy. Mary froze, waving her hands to console the crowd.

"What I meant was..." Just as Mary was about to speak, a man walked up to her from behind the stage. He was one of the security crew for the event. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear.

Her face changed completely. The reporters quieted down as they tried to grasp the subtle change of expression. Seeing this, they quickly pulled out their cameras and leaned in closely-struggling to hear conversation.

On the second floor, William also couldn't help but lean in. He furrowed his eyebrows, wondering what was the cause for this interruption.

"I can handle this." Mary pursed her lips. "She shouldn't be here. Take her back."

"But..."

"Mary."

Just as everyone's attention was on Mary, another person had entered the large hall. The crowds dispersed, and soon enough, all eyes were on the elderly woman on a wheelchair.

"Mom!" she called out in panic as she gazed at her frail mother in surprise. Behind her mother was a nurse who looked just as anxious as everyone was.

"Why are you here? You shouldn't be here!" Not bothering for formalities, Mary rushed out of the stage and pushed her way through the crowd of reporters. "Didn't I say I could handle it?"

"But I'm worried about you." Her mother clasped her hand, eyes blurring with unshed tears. "I don't want you to be viewed as the bad person here. You're my daughter."

"Mom, you..."

"I know everything, Dear. Please, let me handle this for you." Her mother squeezed her hands in comfort. Although she was sick, the woman was as stubborn as a mule. No one could convince her otherwise, not even her own daughter.

"Mary, I'm sorry," the nurse mumbled apologetically. "Your mother was in great condition today, so I pushed her around the block to get some fresh air. I didn't notice that she saw the news on TV. She was begging me to take her to you, and I had no other choice..."

"It's fine. It doesn't matter." Mary sighed, waving her hand dismissively. No matter how much she tried to keep things hidden, she knew for a fact that the truth would reveal itself someday. Maybe, it was best to do it now.

The reporters crowded around the scene in front of them. Although they didn't say a word, they held their cameras at bay.

"Mary, let me have a word with them." Her mother gazed at the crowd of reporters with narrowed eyes.

"But..." she tried to refuse, but the look on her mother's face showed that her decision was already final.

"I got this, okay?" Patting her daughter's hand to comfort her, she quickly motioned to the nurse to bring her up the stage. The wheels creaked in response, and soon enough, the older woman was already on the stage overlooking the crowds around her.

"Good day, everyone." She smoothened her hospital gown and turned her steely gaze to the audience. "I am Mary's mother. She didn't know that I was coming today. When I watched the news, I wanted to see her. I just didn't expect to be met with such a scene.

I'm a person who's about to die, so I might as well make many things right. Please don't take my words to heart, but also don't take them lightly as well."

Mary choked, covering her mouth. It had been so long since she had seen her mother like this. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she crossed her arms.

"Two years ago, I divorced Mary's father, because I had been diagnosed with cancer." The loud ruffle that echoed the hall had fallen silent once more. "My husband was the one who had chosen to divorce me, right when I was going through what seemed to be the most difficult time of my life. He had taken everything from me. Every single penny he had taken, and he left me and Mary to die."