Ivan’s POV:
“What is it?” I asked once the call to Sid connected.
“It’s Harry, he’s saying he wants to do the conference in the next one hour and receive the bargain he asked for,” Sid explained, exasperatedly.
What new game was Harry up to?
“Did you find more dirt on him?”
“Yes, I’ll send you an email and audio file,” Sid replied.
“Good. Tell him we are ready,” I replied. “Inform the PR team and get him to the location, I will join you shortly.”
“Okay, boss.”
The call disconnected and I turned back to Brown, there was time to give him what I had in mind for him. “You should thank your lucky stars, Brown.”
I moved closer to him, holding his head up. “Let this be a little lesson to never mess with what is mine, ever. Quick advice? Don’t bother going to the cops, no one would believe you-you can try though.” I turned to my men, “Dump him anywhere you like, Igor, Aleks, you’re coming with me.”
THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
“Look who finally decided to join us,” Harry said as soon as I joined him backstage.
“Here.” I slapped the file containing his speech against his chest. “You will only say what is on this file, try anything funny and the deal is off. I mean it.”
He took the file, grinning like a ducking Cheshire cat. Like anything about what he had done was remotely funny. I can’t wait to take him out…
I watched as he went through his speech.
“No fucking way!” He barked. “This will ruin my reputation!”
I grabbed his collar, bringing his face closer to mine. “You didn’t think of that when you ruined Sophia’s reputation. No?”
“I don’t care, I am not doing this!” Harry spat.
“You will,” I growled. “You fucking will, because you need me. That’s why you wanted to hasten this, right? Don’t delude yourself into thinking you can back out from this, you can’t. Now get out there and do the damn fucking speech.” I shoved him so hard, he lost his balance, landing on his butt.
He glared hard at me, probably hoping his eyes could kill me or something. “Kozlov, you will regret this!”
“I highly doubt that, Harry.” I walked out and joined Sid and the main room that was being set for the conference.
“Tomorrow night, we take Harry out. I have the perfect plan for that,” I said to Sid who nodded in response.
The fucker stepped out and joined the host.
“It’s nice to have you here today… Lord Harry,” The host, Sara, said.
“Just Harry is fine…” He flashed her a warm smile.
“We are told you’re here today to clear up a misunderstanding, is that right?”
“Yes, I’ve wronged someone because of a misunderstanding and I would like to come forward with the truth.” His eyes fucking watered immediately. The bastard should be an actor, well, as long as it helps I don’t care…
“Aww,” Sara cooed. “That is a bold step to take, not everyone in your position and status is willing to acknowledge when they’ve made a mistake…”
Sid scoffed beside me.
Yes, it was laughable…
Sophia’s POV:
“Omg, look! Harry’s on TV!” Nick’s voice echoed.
What? Why… Oh…
I sped to the living room where Nick and Daisy waited and true to Nick’s words, Harry was live on TV.
“… Miss Sophia Smith and I weren’t really a love match,” he started. “Our fathers wanted an alliance and what better way than an arranged marriage?” He smiled ruefully.
Someone amongst us gasped while I held my breath.
Was this a dream?
“That’s…shocking,” The TV host said, looking confused. “We all thought you guys were in love, you both looked good together!”
Harry chuckled. “It was a charade. We had to make it believable.”
They went on talking and talking while she asked more questions and he answered.
But my heart thumped harder when they got to the one topic I knew they’d discuss.
Would Harry expose his lies, his actions, his deceit?
“What happened that night? You said there was a misunderstanding,” The TV Host asked cautiously.
“I was drunk…” He said.
Liar.
“I misunderstood the whole scenario and Sophia had already told me way before then that we should call off our engagement soon after her father died. But I delayed the whole process… I guess… I guess I really did want her for myself.” His voice broke.
Another lie.
“God, he’s such a dick and not the fun kind,” Nick hissed.
The TV host looked genuinely sorry for him, which made me clench my hands into fists. How was he still making this about himself? I was a fool thinking Harry was genuine and kind.
“That night, we had dinner and I took her home…”
My breath hitched.
“… I guess I was angry and I attacked her-which I’m very much ashamed of myself…”
He lied, again. My chest squeezed painfully.
“The bloody wanker!” Daisy yelled. And Nick turned off the TV.
“We don’t need to sit here and watch him lie to and sweet-talk everyone,” Nick said firmly.
“Are you alright?” They searched my face.
“It’s fine.” Did I hate the fact that Harry lied instead of apologising sincerely? Yes. But he was clearing my name anyway-not that I was grateful to him or anything. I just felt relieved.
Ivan had gone this far to help me… He had told me he would help and he did. My belly fluttered as my heart raced wildly, not from fear, no, not that. But love.
I was utterly, foolishly, and totally in love with this man. Was it healthy? Did it make any sense? No. But it is too late to turn back now…
“Omg!” Daisy’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Come look! Maybe this press conference wasn’t so bad after all.”
I scooted over and peered at Daisy’s screen. There were hundreds and hundreds of positive articles. Most of them slandered Harry. And then there were fans’ comments. Not all of them were positive, they thought Harry was covering up for me.
A smile tugged on my lips. It felt like a heavyweight had been lifted off my shoulders. Finally, I could resume work, save the shares, and no longer get death threats.
Ding!
My own phone chimed.
I pulled it out from my pocket thinking it was something relating to Harry’s speech.
It wasn’t.
A shiver ran down my spine as I read the text.
Who are these people?