Evelyn finally exhaled a long sigh of relief when she heard the ground staff order.
But that relief didn’t last long.
The ground staff suddenly pointed toward the small podium near the event’s main entrance, and he said, "Co on, guys, please give Miss Walters so space to breathe. You guys can ask Miss Walters over there."
Evelyn can’t hold back her frustration and silently vents in her mind.
’Damn! Could you please take to the venue? Why suggest them to Q&A?’
Her smile beca stiff.
Before she could ask the staff for help, they were already guiding her forward, completely unaware of how badly she wanted to run in the opposite direction.
Evelyn forced herself to keep walking.
Each step felt like a slow march to her own public humiliation.
Reporters sward her like hungry pigeons spotting free bread.
The clicking of caras echoed around her, bright flashes nearly blinding her.
Luckily, two security officers appeared and flanked her on either side, parting the crowd as she made her way toward the Q&A area.
She smiled politely while silently praying, ’Please, let disappear into the floor.’
Unfortunately, her prayer wasn’t heard.
The mont the security left her at the designated booth, chaos returned.
"Miss Walters, would you please comnt on the case involving your father, William Walters?" one reporter shouted, shoving a mic toward her face.
"Is it true you’ve returned to the Walters Group’s board of directors?" another added.
"This is your revenge on William Walters after what he did to you in the past, isn’t it?" soone blurted from the back.
Evelyn blinked in disbelief. ’Revenge? Are they writing a soap opera now?’
Then ca another volley.
"Miss Walters, who funded your return to the company?"
"Are you planning to rge with the other subsidiaries under the Walters Group?"
"Do you have any comnt on the lawsuit filed against the company last quarter?"
And then, as if things weren’t ridiculous enough, another female reporter asks:
"Miss Walters, are you married?"
Evelyn almost laughed.
’Seriously?’ she muttered under her breath.
Her head began to throb.
The noise was overwhelming, their questions overlapping until they sounded like the buzzing of a thousand angry bees.
She couldn’t even think straight.
But she knew if she stayed silent or ignored them, tomorrow’s headlines would accuse her of being "rude" or "arrogant."
So she straightened her back, lifted her chin, and smiled politely.
"Good evening..."
She began, her voice calm and steady, even though she wanted to cry.
"Thank you all for your attention to , even though I’m not a public figure or any important person in this country...so I’d appreciate it if you call by my first na...Evelyn."
All reporters chuckled while murmuring:
"No, Miss Evelyn, you are a public figure..."
"You are more famous than a movie star, Miss Evelyn."
"True... True..."
Evelyn raised her hand to halt them from speaking.
Once their voice faded. She continued, "I understand you have many questions, but I’ll only answer a few regarding the company, the Walters Group, and my role within it. I won’t be answering anything about my private life. I hope you can understand."
The reporters exchanged glances.
Miraculously, they quieted down a little.
One of them cleared his throat. "Miss Evelyn, could you confirm whether you’ve officially returned to the board of directors?"
"Yes," she replied with a composed smile. "I’ve rejoined the board in an advisory capacity. My focus will be on restructuring the company’s philanthropic branch, including our collaboration with Hope dical Center."
Her calm tone worked like magic. The tense atmosphere began to ease.
Another reporter asked, "There’s speculation that your reappearance signals a new direction for the Walters Group. Is that true?"
"I believe change is necessary," she said gracefully. "Our family business has faced many challenges, but we’re also committed to learning from past mistakes. I’m confident we’ll erge stronger."
Click. Click. Click. The sound of cara shutters intensified again, but now it was admiration rather than attack.
’Finally,’ she thought, relieved. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.
But just as she prepared to wrap things up, one sharp-eyed reporter leaned forward and pointed to her hand.
"Miss Evelyn," he said, voice filled with curiosity, "you’re wearing a wedding ring."
Evelyn froze for half a second.
And then it began.
"Are you married, Miss Evelyn?"
"Is it recent? Was there a private ceremony?"
"Who is your husband?"
"Is he from the business world? A public figure?"
Her head spun. ’Damn it! I should’ve worn gloves!’
Smiling sweetly—while cursing them all in her mind—Evelyn said, "I’ll answer that one question if you promise to let leave right after."
The crowd went silent.
A few nodded eagerly, their recorder ready. "Of course!" they chorused, pretending to be cooperative.
She smiled wider, her voice firm and bright. "Yes."
The entire crowd gasped.
"You’re married?"
"Yes," she said again, confidently this ti.
The reporters instantly erupted.
"Who’s your husband?"
"When did the wedding happen?"
"Is he soone we know?"
Evelyn could almost feel a vein throbbing on her forehead.
’What the heck! They promised! These vultures have no honor! How shaless!’
Her lips twitched, her patience thinning. "Everyone," she said with that deceptively pleasant smile, "I believe that was already one question too many. I’ll be taking my leave now."
But they didn’t stop.
"M-Miss Evelyn, just one last question!"
"Who is he?"
She was trapped. The reporters moved closer again, their microphones surrounding her like spears.
’Oh, for heaven’s sake! Where’s Ryan when I actually need him? He could’ve at least faked a fainting episode to distract them!’
She was just about to make a run for it when suddenly—
"Axel Knight!!"
The shout ripped through the chaos.
The effect was instant.
Reporters turned in unison like a flock of startled birds.
"Axel Knight is here?"
"Wait! What? Axel Knight? The CEO of APEX Holding?"
"Wow, Axel Knight is coming!"
The crowd surged toward the red carpet, microphones and caras raised high. In less than three seconds, Evelyn’s torntors vanished.
She blinked, stunned as the crowd of reporters suddenly vanished, leaving her standing alone and a bit awkwardly under the bright event lights.
For another few seconds, she didn’t move. The silence felt almost sacred.
Then, slowly, she exhaled, shoulders dropping in relief.
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