Chapter 85: Clarification

Madam Cameron wanted to ask more questions, but Maggie had hurriedly left with Joseph. Madam Cameron felt uneasy, sensing something was amiss.

Maggie followed Joseph to the banquet hall, which had been set up to resemble a press conference, with a packed audience below. Both invited and uninvited guests had gathered to hear about the scandal involving Nathael. This was enough to trigger chaos throughout Aquapolis.

Master Cameron and Ronald were already seated on stage, with two empty seats in the middle reserved for Maggie and Joseph. As soon as Maggie appeared, flashbulbs erupted, cameras flashing incessantly from all angles, desperate to capture every shot.

Disappointingly, the Camerons' daughter, who had planned to accuse and complain, showed no signs of distress or grievance. Instead, she looked radiant, stunning, and breathtakingly beautiful.

A barrage of questions followed:

"Ms. Adam, did Nathael violate you against your will?" "Do you have any evidence?" "Could you clarify whether you and Mr. Harris were romantically involved in the past? Were there unrequited feelings or unresolved issues?" "Could you describe the process of Mr. Harris allegedly violating you? What methods did he use to coerce you?" "Were you conscious when you were taken into the room? Was it a carefully planned scheme by the Harris family?" "What are the Camerons planning to do now? Will you marry into the Harris family?"

Reporters poured questions incessantly. As soon as Maggie took her seat, the reporters below went wild, vying to be the first to ask a question, their eagerness akin to cats smelling fish.

Yet Maggie remained calm, her gaze clear and composed. Master Cameron and Ronald, however, looked solemn, their expressions tinged with anger.

Maggie's gaze swept the audience. She didn't see Nathael or his associates, but she did spot Vanessa, watching with evident delight. Locking eyes with Vanessa, Maggie smiled, then turned to Ronald and whispered, "Dad, I've changed my mind."

Ronald was stunned. His gaze fell on Maggie with a hint of scrutiny.

Ignoring him, Maggie took the microphone and said coldly, "I am aware that since photos of me entering and leaving the hotel with Nathael were published last month, various rumors have circulated. Today's press conference is mainly to clarify two things. First, Mr. Harris has never violated me. I don't know where this rumor originated. It's absurd."

Maggie's words were firm and decisive. Master Cameron and Ronald struggled to maintain composure, their emotions barely contained. However, mindful of the public setting, they nodded in agreement. Joseph frowned and glanced at Maggie, who remained calm throughout the ordeal.

Before Maggie could finish, a reporter asked, "Are you saying Mr. Harris did not violate you?"

"Of course not," Maggie replied smoothly. "Mr. Harris is a distinguished gentleman. How could he commit such a beastly act? Besides, if a man as exceptional as Mr. Harris were to spend the night with me, I'd be more than delighted." Maggie smiled.

"And what about being seen entering and leaving the hotel suite with Mr. Harris that night, staying together until the next morning?" another journalist asked sharply.

Maggie calmly replied, "If I remember correctly, Mr. Harris booked a suite. That night, I overindulged in alcohol and became very drunk. Luckily, Mr. Harris, being kind-hearted, didn't simply abandon me, considering our long-standing friendship."

"So, you're saying nothing happened that night? You and Mr. Harris are very close?"

Maggie replied confidently, "Of course, something happened, but definitely not what some might think. Nathael and I have a good relationship. Otherwise, I wouldn't have given him the design plans for the Polar Night Club."

This statement caused a commotion. The Polar Night Club was Aquapolis's most prestigious high-end club, recently embroiled in a design plagiarism scandal. Maggie, the original designer, had never previously responded to the accusations.

Although Ronald was a skilled actor, his expression remained complex. The events caught them off guard, yet he sensed Maggie's intentions.

"So, you're implying the design plans for the Polar Night Club were not plagiarized?"

"That's right. I presented them to Mr. Harris, and I'm pleased he embraced my proposal."

"Why didn't you address this matter sooner?" a reporter asked.

"Because I didn't think it necessary. Countless news stories about Mr. Harris circulate daily. If we clarified each one, Nathael wouldn't have time for anything else," Maggie responded. Her words silenced the room momentarily.

"Of course, this involves the reputations of Mr. Harris and myself, so I must clarify. I've considered this carefully. Remaining silent might suggest guilt," Maggie stated, her gaze cold and solemn. She believed this was not something to be casually dismissed. "And I believe that after this clarification, the Harris legal team will handle any further rumors."

With that, Maggie left.

Ronald quickly concluded, "We, the Camerons, have always maintained a good relationship with the Harris family. Maggie and Mr. Harris have always gotten along well. I hope these rumors cease from today onwards." The crowd dispersed.

Olivia looked at Maggie with a furrowed brow. "Maggie, what's going on? Weren't we planning to accuse Nathael? Why did you suddenly clarify things for him?"

Master Cameron echoed her dissatisfaction. "Yes, why are you suddenly speaking up for Nathael?"

Joseph, likely guessing Maggie's reasoning, remained composed. "Dad, let's hear what Maggie has to say."

Maggie remained calm. "It occurred to me that since the incident happened, dwelling on it is pointless. Let's make the best of it. The Harris family is influential. Accusing them would cause trouble. It's better to clear Nathael's doubts, build his trust, and then secure more projects and benefits from him."

At that moment, Nathael stood just beyond the partly opened door, his dark suit impeccable, his posture erect, his penetrating gaze deep and inscrutable.