Chapter 16 The Media
Wendy ended the call and glanced at Chase’s reddened eyes with little concern. Then she instructed the driver to take them to the office.
Who leaked the news?
Finished
Henry had kept a low profile since returning. If not for Joy’s illness, he might not have left the house at all. So who would use Henry to target her?
The real target was definitely her. Henry no longer held any value with the Harrison family. He was a single dad now–who would bother going after him?
Other than Chase.
Wendy glanced at the man beside her and still felt annoyed.
She’d nearly lost him twice.
“Stop overthinking. Just stay put at home,” she said.
Chase reached for his bag, wanting to shove the divorce certificate in her face. Whether she acknowledged it or not, they were legally divorced.
The car pulled up in front of Quinn Group, but Chase made no move to get out. Wendy sat beside him for a long moment before speaking.
“Even if we’re divorced, my mom’s been good to you, hasn’t she? Quinn Group is her life’s work.
you really going to stand by and watch it take the fall?”
Are
Wendy knew exactly how to press his buttons.
She knew Chase had a soft heart. Anyone who showed him kindness would get it back a hundredfold. Bring up Mandy, and Chase would never walk away.
And she was right–he hesitated.
“How about this,” Wendy said. “We’re already divorced. You don’t need to pay back what my mom spent on your mother.”
“What do you want?” Chase asked.
Wendy looked him square in the eyes. “I want you to pretend we’re still married. This news is going to shake our stock. Some of the more restless shareholders will take the chance to attack my shares. I need you to stabilize the narrative.”
After five years of marriage, they’d already done enough playing pretend. If that was all it took for Wendy to grant him real freedom–and if it helped Mandy–he could do it.
Chase thought it over, then nodded.
Chapter 16 The Media
Finished
There were still plenty of reporters at the front of the building, all hoping for a scoop after the scandal broke. The moment Wendy’s car stopped, they swarmed forward.
Photos online had already shown her and Henry looking quite close. For a married woman, such physical contact with another man was bound to cause backlash.
The bodyguards opened the door. Chase had already composed himself and stepped out behind Wendy
They stood side by side. Chase rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. Under the cameras‘ flashes, he didn’t flinch.
Back then, everyone said Chase wasn’t worthy of Wendy. But right now, looking at them, they were more than a match in appearance.
“Madam Wendy, are the rumors about you and Mr. Henry true?”
“Madam Wendy, you showed up at the company with your husband right after the story broke. Is this to prove you didn’t cheat?”
“Mr. Goodman, were you aware of the interactions between Madam Wendy and Mr. Henry? Some say your marriage is just for show–that you two have been separated for a while. Are you still legally married?”
Chase wanted to shout the truth–he and Wendy were already divorced. What Wendy and Henry did was none of his business. He wasn’t some cheated husband, and he didn’t care anymore.
But then–Mandy.
Wendy had played her card well. She knew he wouldn’t let Quinn Group fall, not while it was tied to Mandy. So she used that to trap him.
Chase smiled.
He pulled Wendy in closer, resting a hand around her shoulders,
“No, it’s not true. My wife and Mr. Henry are long over. We’re doing just fine. I hope everyone stops spreading rumors.”
“But Mr. Goodman, were you aware that Madam Wendy accompanied Mr. Henry and his daughter to the hospital?”
Chase raised a brow, “Of course I knew. You didn’t know I work at that hospital? Wendy even invested in it. That’s the only reason she took Mr. Henry’s daughter there.”
Wendy’s brow twitched slightly.
She had planned to have Sam help Chase resign, but now that he’d said this on camera, he couldn’t quit anytime soon.
Otherwise, people would think the whole thing was staged.
Chapter To The Media
Finished
She’d always thought Chase was easy to handle. Over the years, he’d been obedient, always doing as she said. But lately, he’d changed. He was sharp now–unapproachable.
Only now did she realize just how smart he really was.
Their marriage had dulled his edge.
He’d been content to play the role of househusband.
Some reporters weren’t satisfied and pushed harder, trying to get Wendy to comment on her history with Henry.
“I think it’s common sense not to bring up someone’s ex in front of their current husband,” Wendy said smoothly. “Henry and I are in the past. Chase and I are married. Nothing and no one jis going to change that.”
She held Chase’s hand. Their matching wedding bands gleamed under the lights.
The press kept pressing, but just then, a group of people came out of the building to hold them back. Sam and Stella followed closely behind.
Wendy was about to move forward when a child suddenly dashed out and clung to her leg.
“Mommy!”
The word echoed like thunder. Everyone froze.
Even Wendy was momentarily stunned. She didn’t want to react too harshly and scare the child, so she gently pushed Joy’s shoulders and knelt down.
“Joy, you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not your mommy. I don’t have any kids.”
Joy blinked, then looked back at Henry before turning to Wendy.
“But I want you to be my mommy.”
On the steps above, Stella watched like she was at a play, eyes cold and amused as they flicked
over Chase.
In her mind, Wendy would never embarrass Henry in public. He mattered too much to her. All Wendy had to do now was admit she still loved Henry–and Chase would be pushed aside. Sam was panicking. She wanted to pull Joy away but didn’t know what the president was thinking.
Henry had been brought to the office by Stella. The building had been swamped with reporters, and Sam hadn’t had time to stop him. She hadn’t expected Joy to run out and call Wendy “Mommy.”
“Joy,” Wendy said patiently. “You can’t just decide that. I’m not your dad’s wife, so I’m not your mommy.”
Chapter 16 The Media
Finished
Chase let go of Wendy’s hand and didn’t rush to help. He looked past everyone and spotted Henry in the crowd.
Henry’s lips curled slightly, clearly forcing a smile.
He hadn’t expected Wendy to bring Chase today. That was why he’d told Joy to call her mommy.
