Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 178 Chapter 178 She crushed the paper in her hand into a tight ball and raised up her head , her eyes ablaze with determination .

Im done , she started , her voice trembling , but resolute .

Im done letting someone else dictate my life .

Im done being defined by lies She didnt take abreath , as she added , And Im done standing by while my family , my company , and my name are dragged through the mud ! She paused , taking a deep breath , her heart pounding like a drum , I am a mother , a daughter , and the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS .

But all those aside , I am a human being , and I am not going to let my sweat be dragged in the mud by a coward who hides , masquerading behind false accusations .

The room fell silent , reporters hanging onto her every word .

She could feel the weight of their scrutiny , but she didnt falter .

Instead , she leaned into the microphone ; her voice , steady , raw with emotion ringing out .

Annie says shes been kidnapped , and somehow she has managed to turn this all around and painy me as some kind of villain ! But let me make one thing very clear : I had nothing to do with her disappearance .

My mother , my children , my whole life has been turned upside down because of this .

Her voice cracked , but she pressed on , her eyes shining with unshed tears .

I have endured years of Annies manipulations , her schemes , and her fueled attempts to destroy me and my relationships with my people .

Ive bitten my tongue and waited for her to snap out of it .

Ive forgiven her more times than can count , thinking she might change .

But not any longer .

I am no longer playing nice .

I am done waiting for her to wake up and see the damage shes caused .

Annie destroyed my marriage , tried to kill me and my children a million times over , and yet I forgave her .

A few weeks ago , she still tried to kill me in the hospital , and if Vivian Black hadnt come in time , I would have died .

Annie had always been jealous of me and wanted just what wanted .

Her hands fisted at her sides , her fingernails dug into her palms as she tried to control her anger .

You want a fight , Annie ? her voice was low , yet threaded with fire .

Then bring it on .

But let me tell you something : Ill never let you win .

Not now , not ever .

Even with my last breath , I will fight for my family , for my company , and for the truth .

She scanned the room , her eyes fierce and unrelenting .

To those who have stood by me regardless , thank you .

Your support means more to me than words can express .

And to those of you who have doubted me , taken it upon yourselves to believe these lies being told about me , I ask that you open your eyes .

Look at the facts rather than the concocted stories tabled before you to destroy me .

Cameras flashed , and murmurs ripped through the room, but Emma didnt bat an eyelid .

She had never felt so exposed , so vulnerable , yet so powerful .

Im done being silenced .

My son , Ethan , and his colleagues.

Tears welled up in Emmas eyes .

were attacked at his daycare few months ago minutes after Annie physically threatened me , she finished , her voice rising .

The truth will come out , and when it does , I pray you remember this moment .

Because this is just the beginning of my fight .

Emma breathed deeply , her shoulders rising and falling as she steadied herself .

Slowly , she lowered her head in respect .

All right , she began , her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest .

Ill take your questions now .

Immediately , dozens of hands shot upwards .

The expression of the reporters were filled with curiosity and skepticism .

Emma scanned the crowd until she came upon a young reporter near the front .

His eyes were sharp , his fingers ready to type away on his laptop .

She nodded to him , giving him the go ahead .

The reporter stood up and cleared his throat .

Mrs.

Black , are you insinuating that Miss Annie orchestrated her own kidnapping ? Emma exhaled deeply , then looked at him in the eye and answered , Yes .

The room exploded in gasps and the sound of 17:43 Sat , Feb 1 B.

Chapter 178 TO 80 % keyboards .

But , she continued , her voice as firm as steel .

The police are already doing a great deal of work in bringing out the truth , and its only a matter of time before we know for certain whether she was truly kidnapped or if this was just another of her manipulative behaviors .

The room hushed , but Emma raised her hand weakly to silence them .

Let me make something very clear , she said , the emotion in her voice building with every word .

Annie is quite capable of such deception .

You dont have to take my word for it , but you can look into her past .

Five years ago , she issued orders for three men to kill me .

Silence reigned in the room immediately .

And even the reporters were caught off guard by her words If it werent for my mom ,.

Id be not standing here today .

My mother saved me , and to her , I owe it all .

Her hands grasped the edges of the podium , her knuckles white .

Those three men , she said , her voice breaking slightly , were caught and arrested .

But just days after their arrests , they were all found dead in their separate cells .

Poisoned .

Coincidence ? I dont think so .

The room erupted into a flurry of activity , voices overlapping , carneras clicking , questions flying .

Emma raised her hand in the air .

Another question , she shouted above the commotion , cold and cutting .

Next stood a middle aged woman .

Mrs.

Black , can you substantiate these claims of yours ? Cant this all be to divert attention from allegations made against you ? Emmas chest tightened , but she did not break .

I can understand you , she replied , her voice softer now but no less cold .

But the truth does not need me to defend it .

It speaks well enough on its own .

The police have began their investigation , and I am fully cooperating with them .

My evidence are my scars , my memories , and the people who can also attest to what Annie is capable of .

All I want from this is to clear my name and , that of my family .

I have nothing to gain by deceiving you .

Thank you .

With one last glance of the room , she turned and lef