Chapter 63
Xandra stood on the stage, her expression carefully crafted to evoke sympathy. She had rehearsed her speech, rehearsed the tone of her voice, and the precise way she would hold herself. Every detail was meant to show how hurt and victimized she was, how Christina had wronged her.
The reporter’s question cut through the tension in the room, and Xandra straightened, as if the weight of the moment demanded a poised and measured response.
“Thank you for your question,” Xandra began, her voice soft, almost fragile. “It’s true that I’ve been hurt in this situation, not just emotionally but also professionally. Nathaniel and I have been together for years, and despite my busy schedule, I never imagined someone like Christina would come between us. I understand that emotions can run high in moments like this, but to be slapped in public? It was humiliating, especially when it was a complete misunderstanding.”
The camera flashes continued to illuminate her as she spoke, capturing each word as it left her lips, designed to keep her on a pedestal of innocence. “I’ve always tried to be a professional, always focused on my work, and never interfered in others’ relationships. But Christina’s actions were unfair. This whole incident was triggered by her desire to steal what was mine. I’m not here to slander her or drag her through the mud, but to make it clear that I don’t deserve to be treated like this.”
Xandra paused, taking a breath as if trying to hold back her emotions, then continued, “I truly believed Nathaniel and I had something special. But now, it seems that Christina has taken it upon herself to destroy it. And what hurts the most is that, despite all of this, I’m the one who has to face the public’s wrath for something that isn’t my fault.”
A reporter from the back row raised their hand, and Xandra immediately turned her attention toward them. “So, Ms. Xandra, do you think Christina’s actions were deliberate, or was she simply caught up in a love triangle?”
Xandra smiled, a thin, tight-lipped smile that barely concealed her contempt. “I think Christina is a woman who got caught up in something she didn’t understand. But that doesn’t excuse her behavior. It’s one thing to fight for love; it’s another to destroy everything around you in the process.” She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t know if she planned this, but it’s clear that she’s been trying to manipulate Nathaniel, to get him to see her as the woman for him. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how hard she tries; Nathaniel and I have a history that cannot be erased.”
Christina’s name hung in the air like an accusation, and the press room buzzed with the weight of her words. Xandra was playing the victim flawlessly, and for a moment, the reporters appeared ready to take her side.
As she continued her monologue, Xandra’s thoughts drifted to Nathaniel. She had played this game before, using the media to manipulate the situation to her advantage. But deep down, she knew the stakes had never been higher. Christina was more than just an obstacle now—she was a threat. A threat she needed to neutralize before she could completely win Nathaniel back.
Meanwhile, outside the press conference, Christina sat quietly in the safety of her home, knowing the storm was only just beginning. The video, though altered and twisted, had already done its damage. She had done what she could with her lawyer’s help, but Xandra’s press conference would only stoke the flames.
Christina’s phone buzzed again—this time, it was a message from Nathaniel.
“Don’t worry about the press conference. I’m handling it. Just stay calm.”
She sighed, her fingers curling around the phone as she read the message. Nathaniel was trying to be reassuring, but Christina knew better. He might be powerful and influential, but there were moments when even he couldn’t control the tides of public opinion. What worried her more was Xandra’s next move. She knew the woman wasn’t done.
The game was on. And Christina was determined not to lose.