What made Debbie uncomfortable was that Carlos was rather calm this time.
He didn't call her, nor did he deal with the news posts online. Previously, whenever she was trending online, he would do damage control by deleting the comments and news posts. But this time, he did nothing.
After the topic had spread like wildfire for five hours, one of the "victims" finally gave an interview—Stephanie. The reporters had many questions.
"Miss Li, what do you think about Mr. Huo and his ex-wife falling in love again?"
"Miss Li, why did you choose to be with Mr. Huo in the first place? Do you love him?"
"Miss Li, I heard that Mr. Huo broke off your engagement. Is that true? Did he do it to get back with Debbie Nian?"
The reporters bombarded Stephanie with questions. She could hardly answer one before another question was headed her way.
Stephanie's eyes were red and swollen, like she'd been crying hard before the interview. She still managed to smile politely for the cameras. "Carlos and I love each other very much. Don't believe everything you hear. And I can understand why she'd be hugging my fiance. She can't bear to move on. He's a good man. Anyway, Miss Nian and Mr. Wen are about to hold their wedding ceremony soon. I think congratulations are in order. And don't mention these rumors around them. That would be quite rude."
"Wow! Miss Li, you're such a wonderful woman."
"I'm impressed, Miss Li. You're the only one good enough for Mr. Huo."
Stephanie's smile grew wider at the reporters' compliments. They were positively sycophantic, falling all over themselves to fawn over her. And why not? She presented an elegant figure.
Another reporter chimed in, "I heard that the rumors were leaked by your assistant, Miss Li. Is that true? Did your assistant post this stuff online?"
"What? Miss Li's assistant? Did you start these rumors to get back at Debbie Nian?"
"Miss Li, I heard that you and Carlos broke up. Is that true?"
Things seemed to be spiraling out of control. Stephanie's smile froze. Luckily, she was smart enough to give a good answer. "It doesn't matter who posted it. Miss Nian has so many enemies in the city, anyone could have done it. Let's hope she behaves herself in the future. Imagine being the other woman!"
A smart person would read between the lines. Stephanie was slinging mud at Debbie, saying that the rumors were true.
"If Miss Li said it, then it's probably true. She's a famous businesswoman. She's never been known to lie, and probably isn't now."
"I agree. Miss Li, I hate to touch a nerve, but did you leak this?"
Stephanie finally realized what was going on. These reporters wanted to force her to admit she released the news. 'Who sent these reporters? Why are they focusing on who started the rumors?'
Stephanie took a deep breath and managed to stay calm. In a cold voice, she said, "Many people know that Miss Nian loves my fiance. It could be any one of them. You can't be sure that it was me, right? Let's call it a day. I need to get back to work. Carlos and I are good." To show this, she lifted her hand, and the diamond ring glinted in the sun. The move was intended to be casual.
The netizens became more excited after watching the interview. They left numerous messages under Debbie's posts on Weibo and asked for an explanation.
Debbie, the talk of the town, sat in her office, on a phone call with Ivan. "Clever boy! How did you know it was me who hired the reporters? She fell right into my trap. Ha-ha!" Debbie laughed into her phone.
Ivan's phone was on speaker. When Kasie heard that, she said, "Nice! We got your back. But won't Carlos get pissed? He is Stephanie's fiance, after all."
Ivan patted Kasie's shoulder and pointed to his own head. She instantly got the point. 'Right. Mr. Huo has his memory back. Stephanie's toast, ' she thought. She heaved a sigh of relief.
Debbie, however, was the only one among their little group that didn't know Carlos had gotten his memory back. She was kind of worried about it. "If Carlos sides with Stephanie, then I'm screwed. He'll fire me. I may have to sponge off you guys."
Ivan chuckled and said playfully, "Well, if that really happens, Kasie and I will put our plans for a family on hold. We'll treat Piggy like our own daughter. And you can clean our house and take care of the kid for a living."
Debbie yelled, "I can't believe you! You want to take my daughter away and make me your housemaid. What a jerk!"
Kasie pinched Ivan's arm and complained, "Hey, don't bully my friend. If it weren't for her, you'd still be a bachelor now.
Ivan held her in his arms and kissed her lips. "Okay, okay. She's our matchmaker, and I should be nicer to her. She can just cook for us."
Debbie rolled her eyes and retorted, "Hi Kasie, I saw the hottest guy recently. He's young and super caring. Would you like me to introduce you?"
"Of course! Tomboy, how old is he? What does he— Mmmph..." Kasie's voice trailed off.
Debbie knew what was going on at the other end of the line. She blushed. "Don't forget to follow me on Weibo and play along. Bye!" Then she hung up immediately.
What happened next was beyond belief.
Carlos consented to an interview to clear up the rumors. He held it in one of ZL Group's many conference rooms. He projected a dapper and gallant appearance, in a custom-designed black suit, a black shirt, and a silver tie. Rounding out the outfit was a pair of luxury shoes.
With no PR team or a draft for his speech, Carlos started with a serious expression on his face, "I broke up with Stephanie Li for several reasons. The most important reason is that I'm still in love with my ex-wife, Debbie Nian. I had amnesia from that car accident three years ago. But l couldn't help falling in love with her again. She is sincere and caring, and the only one I love. Even though I don't remember her, she's been trying her damnedest to bring back the love we had. I'm greatly moved by what she's done for me. Three years ago, someone made up vicious rumors about her. She was cyber-bullied by so many people for something she didn't do. She was even forced to leave Y City while pregnant. She gave birth to our daughter in a foreign country and raised her all alone. She'd been waiting for me the whole time. Maybe I'd been waiting for her too, but I didn't realize it then."