Wife You Discarded is a Billionaire's Crush novel Chapter 34

The reporters recognized Liliana immediately and swarmed her.

"Miss Preston, how does your family plan to handle your brother's case? Why haven't your parents made a statement?"

"Are you here to bribe the victim's family? To solve this with money?"

"Do you have any consideration for the family's feelings?"

"How much money do you think it will take to make this go away?"

Cameras flashed, capturing her humiliation from every angle. Liliana lowered her head, her dark hair falling to shield her face. She had never been in a situation like this. Pinned to the floor by a mob of people, she felt her breath catch in her throat.

"The police will release an official statement when the investigation is complete! Please, let me through!"

She shielded her face with one hand and tried to scramble to her feet, desperate to escape. But they formed an impenetrable wall around her. As soon as she was up, a hand grabbed her arm, and the questions continued.

"As the perpetrator's family member, don't you think you owe them an apology?"

"Your parents have been silent since this happened. Are they pulling strings behind the scenes to get your brother released? Are you just a distraction?"

"The Preston family has the connections to make that happen, don't they? Have you thought about what that would do to the victim's family?"

The accusatory, leading questions rained down on her from all sides. Her ears rang, and her head felt like it was about to split open.

She was completely alone. An image of Cedric and Sylvia at a press conference flashed in her mind. After Sylvia had entered their lives, Liliana had looked up videos of their public appearances together. Sometimes, reporters would ask Sylvia pointed questions they didn't dare ask Cedric. Each time, he would step in and shut them down, and the reporters would back off. He couldn't bear to see Sylvia put on the spot.

"I'll take you home." Douglas gave a slight nod and put a supportive arm around her shoulders, guiding her toward the elevator.

She felt as if her throat were clogged with cotton. She nodded silently and let him lead her away. The reporters stood by, dumbfounded, not daring to stop them.

Inside the cramped elevator, Liliana leaned against the cool metal wall. "Douglas, when did you get back?"

She knew him well through Juniper. He was two years older and had been two years ahead of her at the same university. Out of fondness for his sister, he had always looked out for Liliana on campus, and she had come to see him as an older brother.

But she hadn't seen him in two years, and there was a sense of distance between them. She was both grateful for his help and mortified that he had seen her in such a state.

"I just got back today," Douglas said, maintaining a respectful distance. "I heard about Hale. It's a tough situation. Have you asked Cedric for help?"