Chapter 0005 Chapter 0095 Ella POV âSeveral women have come forward in recent days to confess that their stories about Alexander Black were fabricated,â the female reporter said, her dark eyes fixed directly on the camera.
I wasnât looking at the television; my gaze was locked on my mother, who stared at the screen, her mouth set in a firm line as she absorbed the reporterâs words.
After the confrontation at the shopping center, Gretchen and Hyacinth posted apologies on their social media pages, confessing that they had no history with Alexander and that their stories had been planted. Cassandra had deleted all her social media accounts.
It seemed the confessions from the others had prompted some women involved in Davidâs plot to step forward. Two more had confessed, guiltâridden, that they had been paid by an unnamed person to spread rumors about Alexander.
They didnât need to say it was David; I felt it was obvious, and it would only be a matter of time before everyone figured it out.
David had never been as sneaky as he thought Satisfaction coursed through me as I listened to the reporter speak. Clearing Alexanderâs name was crucial, and I had not only managed to make that happen but also to portray him as the sympathetic victim of this smear campaign. People would feel empathy for him, which would help with his public support.
âTwo women, confirmed exâgirlfriendâs of Alpha Blackâs, will be speaking with him at a press conference set to begin in the next few minutes...â
The reporterâs words faded into the background as my mother turned to face me.
âIt seems you were right,â she said apologetically. âI may have judged Alexander too harshly.â
âYour concern is understandable,â I replied. âI shouldnât have gotten so upset about it. I know you only want whatâs best for me.â
She smiled and shook her head slightly. âYouâre not a little girl anymore,â she said. âI need to learn to trust your judgment. After all, youâre going to be the leader of our pack someday.â
A wide smile spread across my face at her words. My father believed I was capable of leading, but I felt my mother had always held back slightly, less convinced of my ability. So to hear her say something like that was incredibly touching.
âYou will get to know Alexander,â I said. âAnd youâll see that his reputation is not an accurate portrayal of him.â
âI suppose I should know better than to trust rumors and gossip,â my mother admitted âIâm only glad the truth has finally come out,â I replied.
My attention was drawn back to the television screen, where I saw the image of Alexander standing with Nadia and Miranda on either side of him.
Dressed in a light gray suit that complemented his bright eyes, he looked remarkably put together, his hands folded in front of him, a serious expression on his face. He stood back slightly, giving the two women better access to the microphone.
Alexander didnât speak a word as Nadia nervously stepped forward and cleared her throat.
âThank you for coming today,â she said, presumably addressing the assembled reporters. âIâm sorry to have to call everyone here under these circumstances, but itâs important that the truth be told â
1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0095 She took a shaky breath. âMy name is Nadia Hernandez, and Alexander Black and I dated several years ago. I have made public statements about our relationship, which were all true, but I felt the need to clarify some things. While Alexander and I had a messy breakup, I want to make it clear that he was never violent with me, and Iâve never witnessed anything from him that could be described as cruel or criminal.â
Miranda stepped forward, her hands straight down at her sile as she nervously leaned toward the microphone. Iâm Miranda Brown,â she said, her voice watery and thin. The statements I made about my past with Alexander were also true, but I wanted to be clear that I have never witnessed any violent or criminal actions from Alexander. Nor have I been the victim of any violence from him. Considering the campaign of lies that has come to light, I felt it was important to clarify my statements.â
Miranda took a step back and glanced at Alexander, smiling slightly as she looked up at him. Alexander returned the smile and then stepped up to the microphone.
âNadia and Miranda contacted me a few days ago after they became suspicious of some of the stories they were hearing from other women,â Alexander explained. âWe spoke, and I have already privately apologized to both of them for my behavior when we were together. But I want to make it clear once again that I recognize Iâve made mistakes in the past in my treatment of women, and I take responsibility for the wrongs I have committed. I hope that those who are fabricating stories about me will come forward and take responsibility for the lies they have told. My hope is that this will be the last time any of us have to speak publicly about this.â