The crowd consisted of a group of reporters, and they completely blocked the parking garage’s exit. Joseph’s car was unable to leave.
The hospital security guards tried to clear the way, but there were just too many of them.
A security guard went to Joseph’s car and knocked on the window, and Joseph wound it down. However, the reporters had swarmed to them before the security guard could speak.
“Eldest Young Master Garcia, is that your girlfriend in the car with you?”
“Old Master Garcia had acknowledged your relationship. When do you plan to marry Miss Garcia?”
“Eldest Young Master Garcia, the word out is that your girlfriend is your long-lost cousin’s adoptive sister. This means that you are already more than family.”
“Why did you bring your girlfriend to the hospital? Do you have any good news to share with us?”
“Is Miss Garcia pregnant?”
Elena hid in the car and raised her hand to shield her face.
However, the reporters tried to photograph her from various angles. No matter how she tried to shield herself, she could not avoid all of the cameras.
“Sorry, no comment!” Joseph coldly said before he wound up the window.
However, their car still could not exit the garage.
He pressed a number on his phone and instructed, “Reporters are blocking us at the Virtue Hospital. Send some men to clear the way. Also, replace Elena’s medical records from today with a gastroenteritis diagnosis.”
“Yes, Eldest Young Master!”
The assistant acknowledged his instructions and immediately passed on the instructions to his colleagues.
However, it would take some time for the men to arrive. They were stuck there, and the cars behind them were unable to move as well.
The situation had gotten worse.
The public heard Eldest Young Master Garcia and his girlfriend were in the car, and thus, none of them had dared to approach the vehicle.
However, there was no point for them to get close anyway.
The hospital dispatched their security personnel to help with the situation, but there were too many reporters at the exit.
“This must be Ava’s doing.” Joseph pursed his lips as fury raged on his face.
That woman had only been in City L for a short period; how did she garner such influence? Who supported her?
Could it really have been his younger aunt? What would she gain in return?
“Brother Joseph, I’m afraid these reporters won’t leave unless they get a scoop.”
There was no point to stay stuck in the garage. Elena tilted her head and looked at him, “Let’s just tell them that we are in love. I will…”
“No!” Joseph blurted without any hesitation.
He had not known about Elena’s true identity the previous night, so he readily admitted to the confusion. However, he knew about the truth then, and he knew that it could be dragged on any longer. Otherwise, how would they deal with it in the future?
Even if they could explain it, they could not contain the gossip. How many people would still think that they had an incestuous relationship?
It would not bother him that much as he was a man. However, Elena would still want to fall in love and get married in the future.
Such rumors would ruin her life!
Joseph regretted that he was not more thoughtful about the situation and did not tell everyone that they had been drugged.
He thought it would be better to let the situation calm down and it would not be too late to investigate who had drugged them.
Unfortunately, the conspiracy had been pretty well-planned.
Someone had led his grandfather out of the house that morning, and when they saw the reporters, they had instigated the old man to acknowledge their relationship.
It would be hard for them to backtrack once the public got hold of the news.
Ava could not have orchestrated the whole thing by herself. Someone from the higher-up must have pulled some strings.
However, Joseph was not sure of his younger aunt’s role in the matter. Had she been aware that Ava was an imposter from the start? Was she involved in the entire scam?
“Elena, no matter who asks, you must never pretend to be in a romantic relationship with me. Do you understand?”
He turned and stared firmly at Elena. His expression was grave.
Elena did not understand why he would look so grave so suddenly. Even if they admitted to a romantic relationship, they could just announce a break-up a few days later. It was not a big deal.
Why did he make it sound as if it would be disastrous if they were to admit it?
“Do you understand me?” Joseph raised his voice when Elena remained silent.
Elena was taken aback, but she quickly replied, “Yes, I understand.”
Joseph was afraid that he had frightened her. His heart softened, and then he lowered his voice.
“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of it.”
“Is there something that I should know?” Elena felt as if he had kept something from her.
“Brother Joseph, what is going on?”
“I will explain in due time.” He wanted to wait for the results from the test. Everything was merely speculation at that point.
He could not trust anything Ava said. She could have lied to him. What if Elena was not the Garcia family’s granddaughter after all?
He could not take things lightly any longer; he must verify each piece of news.
“I have instructed my men to clear the way. Not to worry.”
Joseph’s words calmed Elena somewhat.
The hospital security personnel also tried their best to disperse the reporters.
They were stuck there for quite some time. Any longer, the hospital would have to call the police. Everyone should leave once the authority arrived.
Elena took out her cell phone and casually browsed the news. Suddenly, she saw headlines that shocked her!
“Grandfather Garcia… What is going on?” She held onto her cell phone as she looked at Joseph, “Brother Joseph, Grandfather Garcia and your younger aunt, they said…”
“I know.” At a glance, he knew that the girl did not follow any media gossip. Otherwise, she would have seen them already.
“My aunt must have prompted Grandfather to respond. Of course, there is another reason…”
How could he not know of his grandfather’s mischievous character?
“What reason?” Elena did not understand the old man as much as he did.
Joseph sighed. His grandfather’s attachment to Elena had defeated him.
“Well, Grandfather really likes you. So much so that he wants you to remain in our household.”
“He—”
“He is forcing me to admit my romantic relationship with you as if it is to save Garcia Corporation’s reputation.”
That was how his grandfather would do things. He only wanted Elena to stay in City L, and he did not even consider if they wanted to get married.
After all, his grandfather thought that something had happened between the two of them. If they were not married, what would happen to Elena’s future?
On the one hand, his grandfather felt distressed. On the other hand, he was reluctant to let Elena go. Therefore, he wanted the media’s pressure on Garcia Corporation to force him onto that responsibility. He could kill several birds with only one stone.
If there were not so many unpredictable eventualities, if Elena actually liked him too and if they were not related by blood. If he wanted to protect Garcia Corporation’s reputation, he would have done it without any hesitation. He would marry Elena in a heartbeat.
After all, he did not dislike Elena. His grandfather had made the right move.
Unfortunately, Old Master Garcia did not know that they were cousins! Everything was wrong from the start!
Suddenly, about twenty cars arrived in front of them. More than a hundred people in black suits got down from the vehicles, and they quickly cleared a space for Joseph to drive through.
“Don’t dwell on it. I’ll take you home now.”
Joseph lowered his gaze and stepped on the accelerator.