Chapter 195
My Mute Bride
Rachel noticed Samuel in the photo right away. Even though he was censored, his curly hair told her who he was, not to mention that she was right beside him, holding his hand. An article with a headline that read, âPresident Burtonâs ex-wife returns with an illegitimate son. The shocking truth behind this aristocratâs marriage, was making waves on the Internet.
It wasnât a long article, but it managed to make Rachel out to be a cheating woman who was dumped by Justin because she had a lover out there. The article wasnât fully made up, since the writer knew Rachel used to be a mute. As there was truth among the lies, it was hard for her to explain things properly. Rachel knew that, so she knew this was trouble.
âWhen was this posted?â
âThis morning,â Frankie answered quickly. âThe PR team didnât think much about it at first, but then it went viral. Itâs getting worse by the minute. Sir, our share prices have been dropping ever since this was posted. The Board of Directors has been calling us to talk about this.â
Even though Rachel and Justin were already divorced, the public questioned the decision of hiring her to work in Burton Pharmaceuticals. Now that a scandal had popped up, it was certain that the share prices would drop.
Justin looked at Rachel coldly. âWhatâs your plan now?â
âA press release, of course. Weâll tell them that the illegitimate child doesnât exist. As long as we tell the same story, the public canât say anything about it.â
âWhat about the truth?â
Rachel was stunned, but she clenched her fists, for she knew what was coming.
Justin asked, âThe article isnât important. Are you going to tell me about that boy? Is he your son?â
Justin knocked on the tabletâs screen, producing two loud thuds.
Veins started popping on her forehead, but she answered calmly, âHe is.â
âYouâre quick to answer. I thought youâd defend yourself.â
âHeâs my son. I donât have anything to say for myself.â Rachel didnât want to argue about Samuel. Since Justin was looking mad, she told Frankie, âTell the PR team to get ready for a press release, and make sure they restrict the questions from the reporters. Dispatch a few more bodyguards, and,â
âEnough!â Justin barked.
Rachel was shocked. When she turned around, she realized Justin was looking at her coldly. âYouâre not in charge here. Iâm the boss. Not you.â
âBut we need to hold a press release. The sooner we silence the public, the better for you and the company.â
âIâm not saying we wonât, but thatâs not what weâre going to say.â
Rachel paused for a moment.
Justinâs gaze was as cold and dark as the deep sea. âFrankie, tell HR to come up with a notice of termination and post it on the official website. Weâll announce it at the press release,â he said coldly.
âAnnounce what?â Frankie was shocked.
âThat weâve canceled the contract with Chris. Her personal lifeâs degeneracy is not what we stand for, and tell them we will never employ anyone whoâs morally bankrupt. Not now, not ever. Iâll tell the reporters that we wouldnât have hired you if you hadnât lied about your identity.â
Everything Justin said was a shocker for Rachel, and she looked at him in disbelief. âYouâre really doing that?â
The shock only lasted for a moment though, for she then regained her composure. Her fists were clenched, and her anger was rising.
Justin answered coldly, âIf I donât do that, youâre going to ruin the whole company. Weâre not going to pay for your indecency.â
âIndecency?â Rachel looked at him calmly. âIs that what you think of me?â
âIsnât it? You have an illegitimate son. What else do you have to say?â Justin glowered. âYouâd better work with us and apologize to the public before this gets any worse. Then go back to Montenegro and never show up in front of me again!â
Apparently, Justin was stupid enough to not even leave an exit for himself; even Frankie felt worried.
âSir, we still need to look into this, so-â He swallowed the rest of the sentence when Justin shot him an icy look.
Rachel answered, âIf thatâs what you think, then fine by me. Iâll work with you, but Iâll only tell them the truth. I wonât admit to something I didnât do. I have work to do, so Iâm leaving now.â With that, she left the office, and the door swung shut.
âSir, this might be a misunderstanding. The madam isnât a lascivious woman.â
âMadam?â Justin looked at him coldly.
Frankie shivered and changed the way he called her right away. âI mean Chris. Weâll get the truth soon enough once we look into Chris and her childâs details in Montenegro. Do you want to delay the press release, Sir? At least until the recon team is back?â
âNo. Weâll hold it tomorrow morning.â
Frankie wanted to say something else, but Justin slammed the table. âOne more word and youâre fired as well!â
Frankie paled and kept his mouth shut.
At the same time, Jolly called Rachel the moment she came out of the office. âI saw the news. Are you alright?â There was panic in Jollyâs voice.
Rachel put her phone a little distance away from her ear. âJust got out of his office. He wants to fire me so he can face the Board of Directors and the public.â
âWhat? Is that idiot mad? He just believes everything he sees? How can he even run a company like that?â
âThatâs not important. Jolly, this popped up too suddenly. Somethingâs off. Justin and I arenât public figures, and weâve been divorced for five years. Almost nobody has seen me, and no reporters would keep an eye on us at all times.â
âYouâre saying someoneâs behind this?â
âThey can even track down my medical history in Montenegro. They even found out I gave birth there.
The enemy is powerful.â
âIf theyâre actually powerful, they would have found the real record, not the one we doctored.â
Rachel answered grimly. âIt doesnât matter which one she found. This is precisely the one she wanted, so she sold it to the media without even verifying it. Thatâs the best way to rile up the public.â
âWait. Youâre saying you know who did this?â