Chapter 64


    LILY


    I waded through that koi pond at the Reed Pack mansion for almost the entire night before I found that


    fucking ring.


    I’d been on the verge of copse and hypothermia when my father took me to the hospital. That was


    my idea. He wanted to go straight to our country house so I could shift and run and heal in my true


    form.


    But I need to handle the fallout on social media that had been destroying my brand and name while I


    was busy getting my snorkel on in that stupid pond.


    Dad brought me to the hospital. I even got an IV drip. Of course, when they hooked me up to the drip in


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    the hospital, I made sure to let my agent take photos and post them on the Inte to gain sympathy.


    After what happened, I stayed in my human form until my publicist booked a press conference. Given


    the dehydration, continued exposure to that frigid water and my bout with hypothermia, I had a very


    sickly appearance.


    Which was exactly the look I was going for.


    At the press conference, I apologized in public and said that because the ring was given to me by my


    sister, I cherished it very much. On that day, I had thought that had been the ring I was wearing when I


    went out. When I got outside, a friend had alerted me that the ring was not on my hand, so I thought


    that it had fallen off. Therefore, in a moment of anxiety, the situation of asking people to help me find


    the ring emerged.


    "I''m sorry. It was because of my carelessness that so many sanitation workers had to help me find the


    ring. I, on the other hand, stood to the side and did not look for the ring together with them. I sincerely


    acknowledge my mistake. I think I was too absorbed in memories of my sister whom I love so much—


    and whom I lost a few years ago. She was a bright light in this world for so many—my family, her


    fiancee, all her friends and colleagues.” I press my hand to my chest. “Jennifer, you are forever in my


    heart.”


    Given my haggard appearance and sincere, heartfelt apology, the wave of negativity begins to reverse.


    After a pause, I continue, "I''ll go to the Sanitation Service Center to express my sincere gratitude to the


    sanitation workers who helped me. I''ll also donate all of my ie from this year''s work and use it to


    set up a breakfast stall. The sanitation workers can get a free breakfast every day with their work pass.”


    Once the video of the press conference is uploaded on the Inte, many people felt that my crisis had


    been handled well. Even the fans kept posting endlessly to help me regain my previous ‘darling’ image


    were being met with much less trolling and fewer hostile remarks.


    As a result, many people felt that this had indeed just been a misunderstanding.


    My gratitude towards the workers is also well-received and it even attracted many reporters.


    Which brings me to another press conference.


    This one is set up by the director of the Sanitation Service Center…


    * * * * * * * * * * *


    GRACE


    They’ve arranged for us to be outside.


    We have to stand in rows and smile, epting gifts from the same woman who thought nothing of


    having us scour through week-old refuse because she wanted to make my life miserable.


    Well, she’d seeded.


    And she was chalking up a second victory because I was miserable again.


    I sit inside the Center, refusing to go outside for this media circus.


    Does no one see this for the obvious attention grab that it is!?!


    Each worker had to line up and smile for the cameras while epting a ‘token gift of Lily’s gratitude.’


    Wow. Just…wow.


    ire epted her gift and is very happy. In addition to the check for ten thousand dors, hade


    with a down jacket. Looking at thebel, she sees that it is a designer brand. When she looks up, she


    sees me. “Hey, I was wondering where you were! Hurry and go outside. Everyone is lined up from the


    third shift. Lily is handing out gifts and cashpensation for her mistake. You worked harder than


    anyone. Go get what’s due to you.”


    ire nudges me.


    "I don''t need it."


    "This down jacket costs more than a thousand dors. And the check is for ten thousand. Are you


    crazy?!? Why don''t you want them?" ire can’t mask her disbelief.


    Why don’t I want them!? I can think of ten thousand reasons.


    “I’m not sure what you’re thinking right now. Just take the things and leave, you''ll be fine," ire says.


    She pulls me up and drags me toward the door.


    "There''s no need, ire. There''s really no need," I argue.


    However, before I can release myself from ire''s surprisingly strong grasp, I’m already been pulled


    outside.


    "There''s still one left who didn''t receive the gift!" ire calls out.


    All of a sudden, the cameras and the reporters are aimed at me.


    I automatically use my hands to block them.


    Those cameras make me think of the time when I had been outside the court being swarmed and


    photographed by the media. The reporters had all been holding microphones and persistently wanting


    to interview me.


    And Sean at that time... I’d seen Sean standing outside the frame of the cameras.


    Three years ago, in prison, he had stood there coldly.


    When Lily had said that she was going to impair my hands, he had looked down at my fingers, which


    were already stained with spots of blood, and said "good" in a frosty tone.


    Three yearster at the country club, when his bastard friend Gregory had osted me, he’d also


    stood by.


    There were some things that, even after three years, remained the same.


    It’s okay. You’re okay.


    I breathe deeply.


    Lily is the one in the crossfire today, not her.


    This media circus isn’t out to condemn me.


    But then Sean steps into my line of vision. And he won’t break my gaze.