Contract Marriage: The Replacement Groom

A few days had passed and things seemed to have fallen into place except for the rumor that Jeslyn refused to debunk. When her Manager asked her, she said she was tired of hiding her family and wanted to come clean but to achieve a better result and feed on the people’s sympathy, there has to be a bigger rumor that should ’force’ her against her will to come out.

Jeslyn didn’t wait for long because a few days later, a rumor that was big enough to ruin her career swept the internet before she woke up. The incessant ringing of her phone woke the young lady from sleep. She slept late last night because she and Pink were on the phone for a long time.

Ever since Pink traveled a few weeks ago to look for Brian, they haven’t spoken to each other. Which was why they spent so much time on call last night.

"Hello," her tired and drowsy voice sounded with the phone in her ear.

"Your world is on fire but our Cinderella is still sleeping. Your Highness, can you get your sorry ass to the company right now?" Manager Kate voice sounded.

"Please, please, please, can you allow me to sleep a little longer? I’m quite exhausted from the rigorous dance practice yesterday..." she yawned with her eyes still closed.

"Don’t tell me your husband ate you like a wolf last night..."

"Don’t malign my husband, he’s innocent!"

"Haha... come down here immediately if you want your career to keep sailing. I’m setting up a press conference for you."

Jeslyn’s eyes flew open. "Pr– press conference?!"

"Now you have an idea how serious a mess you’ve created? Jeslyn, did I wrong you in the past? Why are you stressing my soul with daily drama?"

Jeslyn chuckled, "I’ll be there soon.’’ she replied before getting off the phone.

...

A few hours later, Jeslyn was seen in Manager Kate’s office, staring at the woman after she made a presumptuous statement.

"Are you sure you know what you are saying, Manager?" she asked, her smile slowly fading away.

Manager Kate held Jeslyn’s hand and tried to explain. "I Know it’s inconceivable, but if your husband isn’t here to help you out, then this will be a little hard to explain to the fans."

Jeslyn shook her hands off, "I know you want the best for me, but that’s too much to ask and I’m not willing."

"Jeslyn," Manager Kate called helplessly.

"My husband is not the media type, let alone one who cares about what the people are saying about him. He won’t come, neither do I want to invite him."

"Jeslyn, it’s just..."

"Older sister, I can bear all insults on my own but I won’t be so thick-skinned to stay quiet while someone who knows nothing about the situation talks or insults my husband. My husband is my Emperor and must not be disrespected," she said in all seriousness.

Manager Kate sighed. This will be harder. "You should have hidden your secret well!" she screamed in frustration.

Jeslyn chuckled, "But I did." She took a deep breath and hugged her Manager’s arm, "Don’t worry, we can handle this, just like we’ve handled other troubles."

Manager Kate glanced at her and rolled her eyes. "If it’s that easy to handle, there wouldn’t have been a need for you to hold a press conference," she sighed softly.

"It will be fine," she assured.

...

The press conference...

Standing behind the podium, looking at the camera lights flashing non-stop, Jeslyn refused to say a word after a reporter questioned her. She had been like that for almost two minutes and a few more reporters were throwing in questions upon questions, ignoring Jeslyn’s mental health.

"Jeslyn, answer the question!"

"Why did you kill your child!"

"Were your parents aware that after you seduced young boys and slept with them on your 18th birthday, you ordered their death?"

"Was that why you ran away from Country G and went to your grandfather? Was it because you were disgusted by your actions or because the boy’s family was after you?"

"Jeslyn, there is proof that you don’t live at the place your company provided for you. Rumour says that you live with your boyfriend!"

"Jeslyn, say something! Your fans are watching and want to know!"

Jeslyn finally shifted her gaze before she slowly smiled and looked down at her mic. "You’ve already judged and condemned me, so what else do you want to hear? Whatever I say will sound like a lie."

"Are you saying you’re innocent? Jeslyn, we have evidence to prove that you gave birth and killed the child in Country G!!" A reporter screamed.

"We also have evidence of you dating countless men. Who was responsible for your pregnancy? Was it the two teenagers you killed afterwards or one of your boyfriends? Or you don’t remember because there were too many!!"

Before Jeslyn could respond, the door was pushed open and Maverick walked in with Doctor Matt and Lawyer Spid.

The aura of the three men scared the reporters and the higher-ups of the company so badly that some held their chests like they almost passed out.

"P–" Jeslyn couldn’t find the right words.

Maverick pulled Jeslyn closer and in front of the world, he kissed her. It lasted for a few minutes before letting her go.

"Why didn’t you inform me about this?" he asked.

Jeslyn was lost looking at his gorgeous face as she wrapped her hands around his waist.

"Plum, you’re so handsome," she confessed.

Maverick smiled and tapped her nose. "After seven years, you’re just saying it?"

The reporters and everyone else who was watching the scene, including the people on the internet were stunned. Seven years?! They’ve been together for seven years?! How’s that possible?!!

Jeslyn was also taken back but when he pinched her softly on her waist, her mind immediately registered what he was trying to do.

"Ah, Plum, that’s not true. Seven years ago, I did tell you that on the night of my birthday but you only laughed over it, but you, you haven’t said I looked pretty for years." She pouted.