Avery smiled. "Even if he doesn’t want to, he has no chance to make a comeback. If he goes back on his word in public, he will become a joke and tarnish the Moran Group’s image and reputation. This way, his people will also be implicated."
When Arthur heard this, he exclaimed, "So he sacrificed himself for the big picture. Ah, no, no, it should be the other way around."
Avery said, "This analogy isn’t very accurate, but it’s more or less the same—sacrificing the old to protect the young."
Arthur shook his head and sighed. "Wealthy families are really complicated. Our family is the best."
Avery smiled and did not speak.
The commentator finally spoke again, his tone filled with emotion. "Richard is indeed a legend. He deserves everyone’s respect. I believe that even if he leaves the Moran Group, his story will be told."
At the press conference, Alexander didn’t force Richard to apologize. Instead, he just looked at the time. "It’s almost 10 p.m. I think the paternity test results should be out."
The staff soon brought two appraisal reports from the experts and projected their contents on the electronic screen, confirming that the girl in the wheelchair was the real Lucy.
However, Alexander did not smile, nor did he show any arrogance. He only said calmly, "Everyone, the press conference ends here. Thank you for attending!"
The staff walked over to maintain order while the participants left.
The reporters had a lot of questions, but they knew very well that they would not get any answers from Alexander. Moreover, most of them had been invited by Richard. Now that Richard had lost, they couldn’t afford to offend Alexander.
In front of the television, Arthur looked at the crowd leaving one after another and shook his head repeatedly. "I didn’t expect that woman to be so bold. She dared to accuse Alexander on the live broadcast without any evidence. What a liar."
Avery picked up the glass of water and took a sip. "Maybe she wasn’t lying."
Arthur turned around. "But she has no evidence."
Avery smiled meaningfully. "That’s precisely why I feel that Alexander might have cleaned up all the evidence."
Arthur was so shocked that his mouth fell open slightly. After a while, he said, "Isn’t Alexander too bad then?"
Avery smiled. "There’s no need to think so badly of him. I guess he must have made a deal with the fake Lucy. He gave her what she wanted—like a luxurious house and a luxury car—and she volunteered to undergo plastic surgery and temporarily pretended to be his sister. But something happened later, and the fake Lucy betrayed Alexander at a critical moment."
Arthur’s eyes widened in shock. "Oh my! This woman is so cunning. Even I was fooled."
Avery thought to herself, ’It’s not hard to fool you.’
At this point, the live broadcast ended, and the audience could no longer see what was happening. However, at the venue, many people were still discussing the events of the night. They did not leave immediately.
Alexander walked up to Neil and Nicolas. "Grandfather, Father, I’m going to accompany my sister. She has traveled a long way and is very tired now. You both need rest, too. When she recovers, I’ll take her home. Don’t visit her for the time being."
Neil and Nicolas nodded. "Go. Take good care of your sister."
Alexander turned and left.
After taking a few steps, he heard the fake Lucy calling out to him from behind.
"Alexander, are you planning to kill me? Everyone knows I’ve offended you. If I go missing or get killed, everyone will think you did it."
Her words attracted the attention of many people who had yet to leave.
Alexander stood still and looked at her from the corner of his eye. "You’re thinking too much. No one will believe the words of a mental patient, and I won’t argue with a mental patient. If you’re still worried, you can call the police for help now. I believe many people here are willing to help you."
Fake Lucy bit her lower lip and took a few steps forward. She said in a low voice, "Can I have my ID back now?"
Alexander sneered, retracted his gaze, and left.
Fake Lucy wanted to chase after him but was immediately stopped by the security guards. She turned around to look for Richard, but he was long gone. The person who had brought her here was also gone. She wanted to leave, but she had no papers, no cash, not even a cellphone. She had nowhere to go.
On the other side, Alexander had just walked out of the side door of the hall when he heard a familiar voice.
"Alexander, I want to talk to you."
Alexander turned his head and saw Richard standing by a pillar with his walking stick.
"What do we have to talk about?"
Richard said, "I want to know where I lost. You don’t have to reject me in a hurry. I have what you want."
Alexander asked calmly, "What is it?"
Richard walked over slowly. "Something related to five years ago."
Alexander’s gaze suddenly became fierce and sharp. It was as if a leisurely tiger had turned into a ferocious predator preparing to hunt.
"Don’t look at me like that," Richard said calmly. "Believe it or not, I had nothing to do with what happened five years ago. I just got some clues."
Alexander said coldly, "Where do you want to talk?"
Richard lifted his chin. "There."
There were two chairs on the open, unobstructed lawn, with no one else around. If they spoke there, everyone could see them, and they could see everyone around them. In other words, no one could approach and eavesdrop.
Alexander strode over and sat down in one of the chairs. Richard walked over slowly and sat opposite him. Supporting himself with his walking stick, he straightened his back.
"What I want to talk to you about is also very bad for me," Richard began. "So I can guarantee there are no recordings or videotapes here. Our conversation is only between us."
Alexander asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Richard stared at him. "Was all this a trap set by you? Did you know my plan?"
Alexander replied, "What are you referring to?"
"Two things," Richard said. "Firstly, when you video-called the imposter last time, you had expected someone would point out that the woman was fake in public. Then, you brought your sister out to let us slander you, right?
"And the second thing, about tonight. Did you anticipate that I would kidnap the imposter and deliberately let me succeed? Did you clean up the clues in Acloria so people would think I slandered you?"
Richard had been respected his entire life. He had not expected to fall into Alexander’s trap at this age. He couldn’t reconcile himself to the defeat.
He had to at least know why he had lost. Otherwise, even in death, he wouldn’t be at peace.