Zack glared at Nathalia like he was ready to beat her up again.
Bitch, causing me all this trouble. He thought to himself angrily.
Evette accused harshly, "Nathalia, are you trying to get Zack into trouble? How can you be so cruel?"
I hope you do get a scar! As badly as possible! And look ugly! Evette sincerely wished.
Frank Carter supported, "Nathalia, go on then. Listen to your mum. Just for a little while and for your brother's sake."
Nathalia lowered her head, her eyes looking at the floor, her body trembled slightly. She stood there like a little boat lost in the ocean. Their words attacked her like fierce waves.
All of a sudden, she covered her face with her hands and screamed, "My face feels like burning! Could it be an allergy?! What should I do? What... it's probably the cosmetics. I need to clean my face..."
She was screaming so loud like she was terrified and went rushing up the stairs to her room.
Anne was at first confused like others, then she awakened from the sudden confusion and ran to stop Nathalia. "Come back here. We don't have time. The press conference is about to start."
What an annoying thing you are!
"But..." Nathalia looked frightened and could hardly voice herself. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Evette sneered, "But me no buts what's more important than clearing up the false accusations of us. Let's go."
It will be great if it is an allergy, and her face gets ruined. Exactly what I wish for. Hahaha. Huh, I couldn't even get out of the house all this time. It's all because of her. She only took a beating, which she deserved. Why are these people making such a big deal about it? Ridiculous.
Frank cast her an impatient look, thinking, what is she doing now? And persuaded her, "Nathalia, we do need to hurry now. What about this? As soon as the conference's finished, I will have the driver take you home first."
Hearing so, Nathalia stopped crying and nodded gently, "Dad, I'm doing this all for you."
After taking Nathalia's shares, Frank felt much more relieved and lowered his guard against her. "I know. You are a good girl. Come on. We should leave now."
The conference was held in a meeting room in a grand hotel. Hundreds of journalists and reporters from various media packed the room and waited impatiently.
As soon as the Carter's entered, the group swarmed in like desperate predators.
"Nathalia Carter, what's your opinion on the video clip?"
"Nathalia Carter, what do you think of your half-brother, Zack Carter?"
"Nathalia Carter, it wasn't the first time you got beaten by your half-brother. Why have you never voiced yourself?"
"Your father didn't offer you help or support? Have you ever complained?"
"Nathalia Carter, how do you feel about the way your step-mother treated you?"
"Nathalia Carter, your half-sister, didn't help you either. Do you ever feel alone and helpless?"
***
Questions after questions, they threw at Nathalia enthusiastically.
Nathalia was arranged to sit between her father and her half-brother and managed to put on a peaceful smile. She remained silent. She seemed so small and fragile.
Some reporters noticed the bruises on her face, the redness in her eyes, and wondered. She looks like she's been crying. They have probably mistreated her again.
The Carter couple exchanged a quick and worried look. Why is she silent? Didn't we tell her to deny all the accusations?
Evette had made sure she showed her best appearance in public, as she always did. Wearing a long red dress, exquisite diamond earrings sparkling under the lights, and an expensive ruby necklace perfectly matching the earrings and the dress, she looked like she was attending an award ceremony.
She was actually planning to wear her most glorious dress to get as much attention as possible. It took both Ann and Frank half an hour to talk her out of it.
She didn't need better attire to get the media's attention. Neither did Zack. The video clip itself had done the job perfectly.
A heartless spoiled rich girl. The way she treats her own sister is merciless. Imagine how she treats others!
Someone like Zack Carter doesn't deserve to live. He will just cause more trouble and harm more people.
It was a conclusion easily made by all the spectators, including these sharp reporters.
"Zack Carter, why did you beat your sister?"
"Don't you respect or care for your sister at all?"
***
Questions were shot at Zack like bullets. Some angry reporter even reproached him directly, "Zack Carter, and you terribly insulted your sister and her mother, the previous Mrs. Carter. You are disrespectful, shameless. You deserve punishment."
As a spoiled kid, Zack had not acquired the sophistication his parents possessed. He retorted furiously, "Shut up! Who do you think you are? How dare you accuse me! You are nobody..." while thinking I'm Zack Carter, the heir of the Carter's Group. I can do anything I want. You are nothing!
He was quickly stopped by Frank Carter. "Behave yourself. Zack. Don't talk nonsense." Frank yelled at him, sternly.
We've told you to stay calm many times, and we will take care of everything. Why don't you listen?
The reporter was insulted and ready to revenge "Mr. Carter, your son doesn't even have the manners a human being should have. He speaks more like an animal I have to say."
You think you are upper class, so you can be arrogant, stuck up and look down upon us, so you can treat people like shit!
Frank Carter acted as humble and apologetic. Politely he replied, "I sincerely apologize to you for my son, sir. He's been having a hard time recently, and he lost his temper just then. Please forgive us."
Again, Frank Carter would do anything for his son.
The reporter sneered immediately and questioned sarcastically, "He's having a hard time?! Aha, what about Miss Nathalia Carter then? She must be suffering tremendously."
Isn't Nathalia Carter his own child as well? How can he only care about his son and totally ignore his daughter? After all, that's happened, he's still defending his son?
Frank Carter took another glance at Nathalia, who still held her head down and remained silent, knitted his brows, cleared his throat, and started the speech.
***
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm to declare that my son Zack Carter has done no such thing as the video clip is a fake. It's totally made up, edited on Photoshop, and posted by a rival of the Carter's Group. Please believe that we, the Carter's, tolerate no violence at home. Zack would never ever beat his sister at all. He respects his sisters very much. He's still a young boy, and he deserves a bright future. He's 100% innocent and shall not be tainted by such ridiculous rumors. My wife is a loving mother and has always loved Nathalia as her own. You can ask any staff members at the Carter's Group, and everyone knows what a kind, gentle and generous woman she is. My younger daughter Evette Carter is such a lovely girl. Both Evette and Nathalia are very endearing, and I love them the same. As sisters, they are very close to each other and take care of each other. I'm proud to have all of them as my family."