Chapter 333

He fixed his gaze on the shareholders. "You had sex with Lucian, and it was streamed live," he stated.

"I remember when the police came to arrest people; you weren't detained. Instead, you were sent here," Henry said hoarsely.

The shareholders, about to curse him for mentioning their scandal with Lucian, froze at his last sentence. Their faces turned pale.

"Something's wrong! Close the door quickly!" Henry ordered.

But he was too late. Outside, a swarm of reporters had already gathered. They surged forward, pouring into Bennett Villa. The disheveled living room, along with those involved in the Lucian scandal, came into view, revealing barefoot men lounging about.

"Mrs. Bennett, that pervert just called you Hannah. What is your relationship with him?"

"These men appear to have improper relationships with Lucian. How long has this been going on?"

"It's said you're all shareholders of Bennett Group. You committed crimes but weren't arrested. Does this mean Bennett Group has powerful backing, so strong that even the police give you face?"

"Lucian isn't even an employee of Bennett Group. But as shareholders, you're involved with a male artist from another company. Does this mean Bennett Group and that company have improper business dealings?"

The reporters' questions pushed the Bennett family into the eye of the storm. Henry's hands clenched into fists, his grip on the sofa's armrest tightening. The constant flashes from the cameras blinded him.

"Sophus, it's said you aren't even part of the Bennett family. Why is your surname Bennett, while the real Bennett daughter's surname is Stone? Did you have improper dealings to join the Bennett family?"

"All of the Bennett family defend you. Have you slept with them?"

The questions, vulgar and contemptible, hit upon the public's suspicions. Sophia shrank into a corner, desperate to escape. The reporters blocked her, shoving cameras into her face. In the past, she would have embraced the cameras; now, she instinctively avoided them, her eyes betraying simmering hatred.

It didn't take a genius to see that someone was orchestrating this, using the moment to disgrace and humiliate the Bennett family.

"You are journalists! You will be held legally responsible for slandering someone with such questions!" Sophia's entire body trembled with anger. The reporters, surprised by her outburst, chuckled. "What? Didn't you rub up against Atlas during that variety show? We thought you were already sleeping with him."

"Yeah, and didn't you check into a hotel with Finnan? And that incident with the fake magician in the bathtub? We figured seducing men was your thing," one of them mocked. Sophia's lips quivered as she tried to contain her fury.

"This is the Bennett Villa! You entered uninvited, which is trespassing! You're attacking my family. Do you think the Bennett family won't fight back?" Henry's voice, though his company had faltered, still carried the authoritative air of a CEO. Instantly, the reporters fell silent.

"Mr. Bennett, are you angry because we haven't asked about your affair with Mrs. Stewart?" a reporter remarked. "Sir, what's she like? What's it like sleeping with someone like that? Didn't Mrs. Stewart use to be friends with your mother? Were you cozying up to her to please your elders, or were you just lonely and looking for an outlet?" another chimed in mockingly.

Henry stayed quiet, gripping the armrest of the sofa. The reporters' sneers and the cameras only deepened his humiliation.

"Get out! All of you, get out!" Henry roared, his voice cracking with anger and despair. Ever since his scandal with Edie was live-streamed, his pride had been shattered. Rebuilding his reputation and career would be nearly impossible.

"So, Mr. Bennett, are you just lashing out in anger? If you're like this, and Sophia is like this, does that mean you've slept with her?" the reporters pressed.

The room fell silent. Sophia, who had considered self-harm to gain sympathy, now regretted everything. Her injured wrist went ignored, and she felt deep regret.

"Do you all think the Bennett family will never recover?" Hannah asked coldly.

The reporters turned to her, shifting their cameras. "You must be Mrs. Hannah Bennett. It's been said that Odalys is your biological daughter. Why does she carry the surname Stone instead of Bennett? Is it because you abandoned her back then, hoping she'd freeze to death outside?"

Hannah's face darkened. She knew the reporters were targeting the Bennett family; someone was pulling strings. Her chest heaved with anger. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Why do you believe the baseless rumors circulating online?" she said softly, her voice trembling.

"Odalys is my daughter. How could I not love her! Bringing her back and letting her join Bennett Group was my way of familiarizing her with the company's operations, a chance to groom her. It doesn't matter if her surname is Stone or anything else. She is my flesh and blood! As her mother, how could I not love her?"

"If only she could return, I wouldn't care how much I'm slandered or misunderstood. I'd accept it all. But she is married, and the Bennett family has fallen to this state! I know she wouldn't do something like this. I just want to say, even if the Bennett family falls, my love for her will never waver."

"It's my fault for letting people misunderstand! I just want to use this opportunity to say to Odalys, through your cameras: Odalys, I love you. Will you come home? I miss you." As she spoke, Hannah choked back sobs, her trembling lips and sorrowful eyes brimming with genuine pain.

Meanwhile, inside a nearby SUV, Freya watched the live broadcast. "Damn it, I'm going to deal with her myself! She's playing the pity card, trying to gain sympathy, and dragging Odalys into this mess," Freya said. Odalys was her sister-in-law. She wanted to protect her. With that thought, Freya threw open the car…