Chapter 503

The press conference day arrived in the blink of an eye.

At precisely five o'clock, media outlets from across the city gathered in the grand ballroom of The Regal Palace. Cameras were set up, angles adjusted, laptops opened—all waiting for Margaret Laurent's appearance.

"Damn, I thought Nathan or Theodore would be handling this mess, not Margaret. This woman's got nerves of steel—her husband's locked up, and she still has the energy for a press conference? Does she even sleep?"

"The Laurent men are cunning. They're using Margaret as a shield, making her the target!"

"Tsk, tsk, no love lost in that family. Poor Margaret."

"Poor? Harrison's shady deals made millions—enough to keep him in prison for life. You think she didn't get a cut? Please. It's every man for himself now!"

Seven o'clock struck.

Margaret walked onto the stage like a grieving widow, her face bare of makeup. Dressed in a somber black suit, she faced the forest of microphones.

The blinding flashes swallowed her exhausted features as she bowed deeply to the cameras, her eyes red-rimmed with tears.

The reporters fired their sharp questions.

"Margaret! The nation is shocked by Harrison's sudden arrest, especially since he was a frontrunner for Elmsworth's mayoral race. Did you know about his actions?"

"I didn't know."

Tears welled in her eyes as she played the innocent wife. "I'm just a housewife, devoted to my husband and children. I never pried into his work. As for who he met privately, the bribes he took—I knew nothing! Besides, I'm a Laurent, one of the elite families. I don't need dirty money at the cost of my conscience!"

"Do you truly claim ignorance of Mr. Laurent's deeds?"

A male reporter stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise. "Everyone knows how Mr. Laurent rose from an average prosecutor to a mayoral candidate with an extraordinary career. Surely, the Laurent family supported him! I've interviewed employees who worked closely with you both—they say you were the mastermind behind his every move. You pulled strings, leveraging your family's influence. Are you truly blameless?"

Margaret glared at him, tears streaming as she shook her head. "That's a lie! I don't know which outlet you're from, but you're attacking me with baseless rumors. I knew nothing! But as his wife, I admit I failed to supervise him. That's why I called this press conference—to apologize for his mistakes."

Before she could finish, the reporter played a recording.

It was a confession from one of Harrison's employees, backing the reporter's claims!

The crowd turned skeptical eyes on Margaret, waiting for her explanation.

"He's lying! That's a traitor taking advantage!"

Margaret's legs trembled uncontrollably behind the table, her face draining of color. Under the pressure, she was close to collapse. "He's smearing me! When my husband fell, he was bought off! Who is this person? If he dares to speak, he should dare to name himself! I'll sue—"

A piercing shriek cut her off.

Then, a crystal-clear recording played for all to hear—

—"Clairvoyant, the girls you've been sending me lately are exquisite. Our clients are more than pleased. Their fortunes align well—these powerful men are superstitious. Otherwise, how would your business thrive?"

—"My thriving business owes much to your patronage, Mrs. Laurent! You've introduced many generous clients."

—"Mutual benefits, right? Send more suitable girls my way. Price is negotiable."

The audio struck the audience like a hammer to their beliefs.

The crowd erupted, their gazes at Margaret now filled with disgust.

Who would've thought this elegant socialite was involved in such filth?

The Laurent family had nurtured a nest of maggots!

"No! That's not me!" Margaret's face burned red, her voice hysterical. "The recording is fake! I don't know any clairvoyant! That's not my voice! Someone's framing me!"

"Framing you?" The reporter raised his phone high. "Then explain this."

At that moment, every journalist's phone buzzed.

They all looked down—news alerts showed a video of Margaret meeting the so-called clairvoyant, handing over cash.

Her crimes were now exposed for all to see!

"Miss Laurent!"

A security guard rushed to the stage, grabbing her stiff form. "I was sent by Mr. Laurent—the situation's dire. We need to leave now!"

Before he could finish, the ballroom doors burst open.

Aaron Ashbourne stormed in, flanked by plainclothes officers, his presence silencing the room.

"Police!"

He flashed his badge. "Margaret Laurent, you're under arrest for bribery, coercion, and illegal detention. You have the right to remain silent. Take her away!"

Two officers clamped icy handcuffs on her shaking wrists, dragging the petrified woman out.

The live broadcast had just hit ten million viewers.

[Oh my God! High society is this cutthroat? A heiress running an escort ring? Unreal!]

[The Laurents pretending to be elite while rubbing shoulders with the Ashbournes? Pathetic!]

[Karma's a beast! Look at Margaret flopping like her husband did when he got arrested! Perfect match!]

[Disgusting! I hope they dig deeper—bet there's more!]

[Did anyone see that cop leading the charge? Damn, he's gorgeous! Like a model!]

Aaron didn't bother hiding Margaret's cuffed wrists as he shoved her into the patrol car.

Wealth offered no immunity.

The elite faced justice like everyone else.

Meanwhile, the reporter who'd cornered Margaret slipped into a secluded corner, stripping off glasses, a wig, and a fake beard.

Underneath, Gordon's earnest face was revealed.

Dumping his disguise, he eagerly dialed Thaddeus.

"Mr. Abernathy! Did you and Mrs. Abernathy see the press conference? How'd I do?"

"Mrs. Abernathy says your acting was flawless. You've earned an extra drumstick tonight."

A kiss sounded through the phone, making Gordon blush. "Th-thanks, Mrs. Abernathy! So, Mr. Abernathy... my reward?"

"A reward? Isn't this your job as a secretary?" Thaddeus's voice was lazy, satisfied.

Gordon panicked. "But Mrs. Abernathy rewarded me! You wouldn't want her to think you're stingy, right?"

"Who are you threatening?"

"No! I wouldn't dare!" Gordon straightened, sweating.

"You've worked hard. Take ten extra vacation days."

"Uh... Mr. Abernathy, I'm a bachelor. Even if you gave me maternity leave, I'd have nothing to do!" He joked. "How about a bonus instead? I'll skip holidays—loyal as a dog to you both!"

"Making a million a year and still not satisfied? Who at Abernathy Group earns more than you?"

Thaddeus scoffed. "What breed of dog has skin this thick?"

"Mr. Abernathy, I may be single now, but I need to save for a wedding! I work day and night—FBI-level dedication! No time for love. Have a heart for this lonely bachelor!"

Before Thaddeus could answer, Evadne's sweet voice chimed in. "Mr. Abernathy, don't be stingy. Gordon never asks for anything. Just say yes!"

Gordon grinned. That soft voice could melt anyone.

Thaddeus's breathing grew heavier. "Fine, fine. Whatever my darling wants."

The call dropped.

Gordon scratched his head. "So... is my bonus raised or not?"

Back in the police car, Aaron sat shotgun as they sped toward the station.

Margaret had dropped all pretense, shrieking like a banshee.

"How dare you arrest me? Do you know who I am? I'm a Laurent! My father is Jeff Laurent! You think you ants can touch me? I'll have your badges stripped!"

Aaron snorted, flicking away her nonsense like earwax.

The officer restraining her tightened his grip. "Keep it down, or I'll add assaulting an officer to your charges!"

"Think I'm scared of you?"

Unable to move her arms, Margaret kicked Aaron's seat like a wild animal. "Which precinct are you from? State your name! My family will make you regret this!"

"Can't wait," Aaron drawled. "Tell your dad and brother to hurry. I'm looking forward to it."

He turned leisurely, lips curving into a smirk. "My name's Aaron Ashbourne."

Margaret's eyes widened in shock, a chill running down her spine.