Chapter 1772


    Maisie was taken aback. She didn''t have the opportunity to respond before another journalist from a


    different


    media outlet stood up.


    "We''ve heard that you had a rtionship with Mr. Daniel Quimby. Do you still maintain contact to this


    day?"


    "There have been sightings of you and Mr. Quimby entering and leaving a hotel. Can you confirm if this


    is true?"


    Maisie''s heart pounded as she clenched her fists. She nced at Rachael, who nodded, giving her an


    affirming look.


    Lily had anticipated these questions.


    Before the event, the PR team had prepared the best answers for each question, delicately skirting


    around the


    issues and redirecting the conversation toward her next book.


    Maisie had memorized every word perfectly, but now, she didn''t want to say a single word. The official


    responses


    weren''t what she wanted.


    Facing these journalists reminded her—were these the same faces from the boardroom pressuring


    Daniel to


    resign? Perhaps Daniel''s situation was a thousand times more brutal than this...


    Maisie collected herself.


    In the silence of the room, all eyes were fixed on her.


    "I''ll address the first question first." Her voice was gentle yet carried unusual determination. "All the


    events in the


    book are purely fictional for the sake of the story''spleteness and dramatic effect. There''s no


    personal


    experience behind any of it. You''re reading too much into it."


    "Well..." The journalists exchanged looks, showing puzzled expressions.


    Rachael was also surprised. This part didn''t seem to be in the prepared answers.


    Maisie continued. "Next. Since it''s not based on personal experience, it''s even more improbable for it to


    have


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    anything to do with Mr. Quimby."


    A journalist sneered. "Ms. Squire, can you be honest with your book fans?"


    "I am telling the truth. These matters have nothing to do with Daniel Quimby!" Maisie stared coldly at


    the journalist.


    "I know what''s been circting online recently.


    "I don''t know who''s spreading rumors, but Mr. Quimby is a good person. He shouldn''t be entangled in


    this kind of


    gossip! He and I are also good friends... He''s taught me a lot and has strongly supported me."


    The journalists'' expressions seemed to change.


    "Ms. Squire, but the sightings of you entering a hotel—"


    "So what? Just because a man and a woman go to a hotel, does it automatically mean they booked a


    room? Isn''t a


    hotel also a ce to have a meal?"


    As Maisie said that, a low chuckle rippled through the crowd.


    "I had a meal with Mr. Quimby. Is it really that intriguing?"


    "But—"


    Maisie straightened up. "Furthermore, even if I were in a romantic rtionship with Mr. Quimby, what''s


    wrong with


    that? We''re both unmarried, single individuals. Why can''t we be together?"


    The room erupted into murmurs.


    "I hope you''ll take every word I say seriously and report it truthfully." Maisie''s determined gaze swept


    across the


    audience. "I know you have various motives, wanting to write sensational stories. But Mr. Quimby isn''t


    a tool for


    your sensationalism. I''ve rified everything today, and if there are further rumors, I will take legal


    action!"