The reporters could only post articles about the couple online. None of them were bold enough to actually interview Carlos. They were like jackals, feeding on the carrion of old rumors, too weak to move on to fresh prey.
However, they were not afraid of Debbie
As soon as the concert ended, they besieged her. She was the logical choice.
Carlos was too menacing, Wesley was unapproachable, Yates was too cruel, Curtis had left. Debbie was all they had.
And these reporters were vicious. They surrounded Debbie and were fixated on things that happened three years ago. They simply didn't care if they were rubbing salt in the wound.
"Debbie Nian, didn't you leave Y City?"
"Bitch! You cheated on Mr. Huo. Get the fuck out!"
They cursed and insulted her ruthlessly. Not only that, but also some people started throwing raw eggs at her.
All of a sudden, eggs flew at Debbie in all directions and smashed all around her. Some of them actually hit her, bruising her skin, ruining her dress, hair, and makeup.
"Ah!" she screamed, her arms up trying to shield herself from the white missiles.
The crowd panicked. Things spun out of control. Ivan, who was behind Debbie, shouted, "Security! Protect Miss Nian!"
With that, he took off his suit jacket, wrapped it around Debbie, and pulled her into his arms.
Many people saw this, and started talking.
"Is Mr. Wen just her boss?" someone said.
"I've been a reporter for decades. This is the first time I've seen the boss show up at a singer's concert," another replied.
Thus, new rumors about Debbie and Ivan began floating around the venue, and soon they were spread around the city.
Debbie took a deep breath to calm herself down. She took off Ivan's jacket and faced the cameras and the reporters. With a confident smile, she said, "I'd like to make one thing clear: whatever you think you know, you're wrong."
The crowd started boiling like water. "That's what you say! Your father-in-law confirmed it."
"Right! Liar! Mr. Huo was so good to you, how could you cheat on him? You heartless bitch! You deserve to die!"
"More eggs! Throw her out of the city!"
"Debbie, just go away! And don't come back!"
Debbie curled her hands into fists, trembling with anger.
Yet she forced herself to smile. She went on, "I have proof. Fair warning: l will jail anyone who prints, posts, or spreads rumors about me. Think I'm lying? Try me!"
She looked at the cameras solemnly, eyes full of resentment, as if she could see James' face there.
Just then, Xavier walked up to her, escorted by bodyguards. "Can I have your attention?" he shouted. Then the crowd gradually calmed down. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Xavier Shangguan, lawyer from SG Law Offices."
'Xavier Shangguan? THE Xavier Shangguan? The best lawyer in M Country?' The reporters were shocked.
What a star-studded spectacular evening! Big shots kept showing up, one after another. Surprises kept coming.
Some people started wondering, 'Is Debbie Nian really just a singer? She sure has some powerful backers.'
Xavier took a sheaf of files out of his briefcase and raised it in front of the cameras. "I'm Miss Nian's lawyer. I can prove that she's innocent, and the rumors are wrong. The proof will be released online. You are welcome to contact us if you have any questions. But our office will press charges against anyone that keeps spreading rumors about our client."
Xavier was famous in his practice. He'd won several high-profile cases. Seeing that he was helping Debbie, some tabloid reporters chickened out and deleted their slanderous articles, including the ones written three years ago.
However, some refused to cave in before the proof came out.
A reporter constantly asked Ivan about his relationship with Debbie. When Xavier finished, Ivan put his hands into his pockets and replied, half smiling, "Professionally, I'm Miss Nian's boss. I should protect her. But she's also my friend. So I want to protect her."
The reporter fell silent. Ivan's tone was nothing but confident and honest. The reporters bombarded them with questions. At this point, Ivan's assistant spoke up. "It's been a long day. Let's all go home. We'll set up interviews if you call us beforehand."
Debbie answered a few more brief questions and was escorted into the car by Ivan, Xavier, and some others.
Ivan pulled the car door open for her and stood by the door protectively until she had gotten in. All of the reporters took note of this. It was just more fodder for the gossip rags.
When the car door was finally shut and the locks automatically engaged, Debbie felt the whole world quieted down. She slumped in her seat, much relieved.
Ruby and an assistant took out some tissues and wet napkins to wipe the mess from the eggs from Debbie's hair and clothes.
"I don't think those eggers were fans," Ivan said with a worried frown as he watched.
Xavier agreed. "According to my observations, the ones throwing eggs at Debbie were men and women around 40. Their mode of dress told me they weren't there for the concert, which meant someone arranged this."
Ivan asked Debbie thoughtfully, "Any suspects? Give me a name and I'll put some men on it."
Debbie smiled bitterly and answered wearily, "Thanks to Carlos, almost the whole city hates me. It'll be awhile."
Before she met Carlos, her life had been peaceful, ordinary.
Ever since she got together with him, she'd lost the count of the death threats and people who tried to humiliate her.
Throwing eggs was pretty lame. This wasn't James' style. It had to be Megan!
Huh, what a sweet niece!
In the back seat of the Rolls-Royce, Carlos watched the live broadcast on the car TV. When he saw how Ivan and Xavier protected her, a sarcastic sneer crept over his face.