Chapter 6 The Press Waiting Below
1461 Words
The boardroom felt colder after Sophia’s announcement.
The results should arrive tomorrow.
The words echoed inside Vanessa’s mind.
Sophia had somehow accessed hospital records.
Ordered a DNA test.
And now the entire company was waiting for results that could destroy everything.
Adrian broke the silence.
“How exactly did you obtain hospital samples?”
Sophia shrugged casually.
“Connections.”
Director Wallace stood up immediately.
“That is a serious violation of medical privacy.”
Sophia rolled her eyes.
“Oh please.”
She leaned against the table.
“Let’s not pretend everyone here hasn’t bent a few rules to protect their interests.”
Vanessa’s pulse was still racing.
The more she thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.
Sophia shouldn’t have been able to access those records.
Unless someone inside the hospital helped her.
But who?
And why?
Before Vanessa could think further, Daniel’s voice came through the speaker again.
“Mr. Blackwood.”
Adrian didn’t look away from Sophia.
“Yes?”
“The reporters are getting aggressive.”
“How many?”
“Over forty.”
The boardroom went quiet again.
Forty reporters meant one thing.
This story had already exploded.
Daniel continued nervously.
“They’re asking if the rumors about the pregnancy are true.”
Director Chen checked his tablet again.
“Stock price is still dropping.”
Director Morris muttered under his breath.
“If this turns into a paternity scandal, investors will panic.”
Adrian ran a hand through his hair slowly.
Then he turned toward Vanessa.
“We’re going downstairs.”
Vanessa frowned slightly.
“You’ve already decided that?”
“Yes.”
His voice was firm.
“Running from the media will only make things worse.”
Vanessa knew he was right.
But standing beside Adrian in front of dozens of cameras…
Right after their divorce…
While carrying his child…
The situation felt dangerously unstable.
Sophia suddenly stepped forward.
“You’re not seriously bringing her down there.”
Adrian didn’t even look at her.
“This conversation is over.”
Sophia’s voice sharpened.
“You’re humiliating me.”
That finally made Adrian glance at her.
“You walked into this meeting uninvited.”
Sophia stared at him.
Her eyes filled with anger.
“And she didn’t?”
Vanessa folded her arms calmly.
“I own the company.”
Sophia laughed bitterly.
“You stole the company.”
Vanessa’s voice turned colder.
“I invested in it.”
Adrian’s patience snapped.
“That’s enough.”
The sharp authority in his tone silenced both women.
Then he turned toward the board.
“Prepare a statement.”
Director Wallace nodded quickly.
“Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”
Adrian corrected him.
“Chairwoman Clarke will review it.”
Several directors shifted awkwardly.
Because technically…
Vanessa now had the final authority.
Vanessa met Adrian’s gaze.
“You’re acknowledging that now?”
Adrian’s voice was flat.
“I acknowledge legal facts.”
The tension between them remained thick.
But before Vanessa could respond—
Daniel spoke again through the intercom.
“Sir… there’s another problem.”
Adrian sighed.
“What now?”
“The reporters are saying someone from inside the company leaked additional information.”
Vanessa’s stomach tightened.
“What information?”
Daniel hesitated.
“…your medical report.”
The room froze again.
Director Chen nearly dropped his tablet.
“That’s impossible.”
Vanessa’s heart began pounding.
Because if the media had the full medical report—
Then they knew much more than just the pregnancy.
Adrian’s voice was sharp.
“What exactly did they leak?”
Daniel swallowed audibly.
“They’re claiming the pregnancy is classified as… high risk.”
Vanessa felt the blood drain from her face.
Sophia’s eyes widened slightly.
“…High risk?”
The room erupted in whispers.
Director Morris looked concerned.
“Miss Clarke, is that true?”
Vanessa stayed silent.
Adrian noticed immediately.
His voice softened slightly.
“…Vanessa?”
She hated that tone.
That moment of concern.
Because it reminded her of the rare times during their marriage when Adrian had actually cared.
But now was not the time for that.
Vanessa forced her voice steady.
“It’s none of their business.”
Director Wallace shook his head.
“It will become the company’s business if the media keeps pushing.”
Sophia suddenly laughed.
“Well that explains everything.”
Everyone turned toward her.
Sophia crossed her arms.
“A risky pregnancy.”
Her eyes moved toward Vanessa.
“Maybe that baby isn’t as stable as you claim.”
Vanessa’s patience finally shattered.
“Enough.”
Her voice cut sharply through the room.
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
“Did I hit a nerve?”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Say one more word about my child and I promise you’ll regret it.”
The quiet threat shocked the room.
Sophia stared at her for a moment.
Then smirked.
“Your child?”
She glanced toward Adrian.
“Or someone else’s?”
Adrian’s voice dropped dangerously.
“Sophia.”
But Sophia wasn’t finished.
“If the pregnancy is high risk,” she continued, “then maybe the baby—”
Adrian slammed his hand against the table.
“Stop.”
The entire room jumped.
His voice was colder than anyone had ever heard.
“I said stop.”
Sophia stared at him.
Stunned.
Because Adrian Blackwood had never defended Vanessa like this before.
Not even during their marriage.
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Then Adrian turned toward Vanessa.
“We’re ending this speculation.”
Vanessa frowned.
“How?”
“With the press.”
Sophia laughed again.
“You think standing beside her will fix this scandal?”
Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“No.”
His voice was calm.
“But it will stop people from attacking her publicly.”
Vanessa blinked slightly.
That was unexpected.
Sophia looked furious.
“You’re protecting her now?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
Instead he walked toward the door.
Then paused.
“Vanessa.”
She looked up.
“Come with me.”
Vanessa hesitated for only a second.
Then she grabbed her purse.
Sophia’s voice followed them sharply.
“This isn’t over.”
Vanessa turned slightly.
“No.”
Her voice was calm.
“It isn’t.”
A few minutes later…
The elevator doors opened in the lobby.
And chaos exploded.
Camera flashes filled the air.
Dozens of reporters shouted questions at once.
“Mr. Blackwood! Is your ex-wife really pregnant?”
“Who leaked the medical records?”
“Is the baby yours?”
Security guards struggled to keep the crowd back.
Vanessa felt the pressure immediately.
The noise.
The lights.
The attention.
Adrian stepped forward confidently.
He was used to this.
Public scrutiny had been part of his life for years.
But Vanessa felt different.
Because this wasn’t just a corporate scandal.
This involved her body.
Her child.
Her life.
Adrian glanced toward her briefly.
“…Ready?”
Vanessa nodded once.
The reporters noticed them instantly.
“Over here!”
“Mr. Blackwood!”
“Miss Clarke!”
Adrian stepped toward the microphones.
His voice was calm.
Professional.
“Good morning.”
The shouting stopped instantly.
Every camera focused on him.
“I understand there are rumors circulating regarding my personal life.”
A reporter immediately asked—
“Is your ex-wife pregnant with your child?”
The question hung in the air.
Adrian didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
The crowd exploded.
Vanessa turned toward him in shock.
He continued speaking calmly.
“Miss Clarke is six weeks pregnant.”
Another reporter shouted—
“Are you two reconciling after the divorce?”
Adrian’s voice remained steady.
“No.”
Murmurs spread through the reporters.
Another voice shouted—
“Then why are you standing together?”
Adrian paused briefly.
Then answered simply.
“Because she is the mother of my child.”
Vanessa felt her chest tighten.
Those words carried more weight than he probably realized.
But the reporters weren’t finished.
Another voice shouted—
“What about the DNA rumors?”
Adrian’s eyes darkened.
“That is a private matter.”
A female reporter stepped forward.
“But sources say the paternity is already being questioned.”
The tension returned instantly.
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“No one questions my child publicly.”
The statement stunned the crowd.
But before anyone could react—
A new voice suddenly came from behind the reporters.
“Oh really?”
Everyone turned.
Sophia Laurent stepped forward slowly.
Holding a white envelope.
Her smile was sharp.
Dangerous.
“Well…”
She raised the envelope slightly.
“…maybe you should read the results first.”
Vanessa’s heart stopped.
The reporters gasped.
Because Sophia had just revealed something no one expected.
The DNA results had arrived early.
And judging by the look on her face…
They were about to change everything.
- Writer
