Selena lifted her nead, thinking Maroku mau imally alive, DUL LIIE TOVisiops trial ou un dejong Lu a single person. Several figures entered almost at the same time.
Three men and a woman.
They didn’t head toward any of the dining tables. Instead, their eyes swept quickly across the room, searching- deliberate, focused. One of them carried a large crossbody bag. Another already held a phone up, positioned as if ready to record.
Selena frowned slightly, suspicion stirring, but she forced herself to remain composed. She took out her phone and tried calling Harold.
Once-no connection.
Twice-still nothing.
He must still be on the way, she told herself. But something around her felt… off. A few seconds later, the group’s attention stopped-right on her. And then they began walking straight toward her table.
A slow unease crept into Selena’s chest, but she held her posture. She straightened her back and folded her hands neatly on the table, trying to look like someone important—someone worth approaching.
The first man stopped in front of her.
“Selena Ward?” he asked directly.
Selena looked up at him, one brow lifting slightly. “Yes. What is this about?”
That answer was all the signal they needed.
In an instant, phones were raised. Cameras activated. Small indicator lights blinked on. The woman beside him immediately started recording.
“We’re from SunCity Daily,” she said quickly. “We’d like to ask for your confirmation.”
Selena froze for a fraction of a second.
Reporters?
“Is it true that you have been claiming Eli is the daughter of the late Chase Miller?” another man pressed without pause.
“And were you aware that the latest DNA test results show otherwise?”
The words struck harder than Selena expected.
“What is your response to the allegation that you manipulated her identity in order to gain access to the Miller family?”
Camera flashes went off.
Once.
1/4
Twice.
Several diners began to turn their heads. The calm, exclusive atmosphere that had filled the restaurant moments ago slowly shifted, thickening with unwanted attention.
Selena felt her throat go dry.
“Excuse me,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “What exactly are you talking about?”
But the reporters didn’t stop.
“Is it true that you worked with certain parties to spread false information to the media?”
“Are you aware that several parties are preparing legal action against you for defamation and public fraud?”
The questions kept coming, one after another, leaving her no space to respond. And that was when it hit her.
Harold wasn’t coming.
And she hadn’t been called here to plan anything.
She had been lured out.
The faint smile she had been holding onto finally disappeared. For the first time since she sat down in the restaurant, a cold sensation began to creep slowly up her spine.
“Excuse me,” Selena said as she stood. “I don’t know any of you. And for what you’re saying, I can take legal action.”
She grabbed her handbag and shoved her chair back. The harsh scraping sound against the floor only drew more attention, making her the center of the room.
Selena started toward the exit, but-
“What we’re saying seems to be true. Aren’t you curious about this live broadcast?”
The words stopped her mid-step.
She turned toward the reporter who had spoken. He held out his phone, the screen facing her-and the moment Selena saw it, her eyes widened.
She hurried back, almost half-running, reaching for the phone.
Noel Abraham appeared on the screen, speaking in a live broadcast that was already flooded with viewers. It wasn’t airing on social media.
It was being broadcast on one of SunCity’s leading television networks.
Which meant this was official.
“I am here today to clarify the statement that has already circulated widely regarding the status of Eli Ward, who has long been believed to be the biological daughter of the late Chase Miller,” Noel Abraham said, his voice firm and measured.
2/4
He stood behind a conference table, dressed in a neat dark suit, though his face showed visible bruises and injuries. Behind him was the official logo of the genetic laboratory where he worked. Under the glare of the camera lights, his expression appeared even more grave.
“A while ago,” he continued, “I was the one who issued the DNA test report that later became the basis for widespread media coverage. That report stated that there was a biological relationship between Eli Ward and Chase Miller.”
He paused. The silence that followed felt heavy. The reporters in the room held their breath, waiting for what he would say next.
“That statement,” Noel said at last, his voice lower but unmistakably clear, “was not true.”
The words fell like a hammer.
On the live broadcast, the viewer counts surged rapidly.
“I acknowledge that the document previously circulated was a manipulated report,” Noel went on. “And today, I have brought the original examination results. Not only that, but several supporting documents also related to this matter confirm the same conclusion.”
He lifted a transparent folder. The cameras immediately zoomed in.
“Based on the actual DNA test results,” he said, emphasizing each word, “there is no biological relationship between Eli Ward and Chase Miller.”
A wave of murmurs erupted in the conference room. Reporters began whispering among themselves as cameras moved more aggressively, jockeying for a clearer shot.
But Noel wasn’t finished.
“I would also like to explain why the false report was issued under my name.”
His expression tightened. His jaw set slightly, as if he had to steady himself to continue.
“That decision was not made voluntarily.”
He looked straight into the camera.
“I was under pressure and threats.”
The room fell silent again.
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