Public opinion continued turning on William and Violet.

"I feel so sorry for Wilfred! He risked his life to save a heartless ingrate!"

"I bet the fiancee isn't any better than the stepbrother! She'd already found her next target before her own fiance was even confirmed missing!"

Both William and Violet, who were still the objects of sympathy online yesterday, suddenly became the public enemy, hated by everyone.

I curled my lips up in satisfaction. This was just the first step.

Soon, Dad's company—Carson Group—issued an emergency statement online, angrily denouncing the photos and articles as fabrications by unscrupulous media outlets and stating that it would pursue legal action against them.

In addition, he announced that a press conference would be held at Carson Tower today at 3:00 pm to clarify all the circulating rumors.

I sent Zack a text message.

"3:00 pm, Carson Tower. Prepare a grand entrance for me."

Zack immediately responded, "Got it. I guarantee that it will be absolutely mind-blowing."

…

By around ten to three, Carson Tower was already swarming with reporters and media houses outside.

I sat in the back seat of Zack's SUV, wearing a mask and sunglasses as I quietly observed everything from my seat.

"Everything's been arranged. You can enter through the side door later. My people will lead you backstage."

The press conference started on the dot.

I watched the three people on stage through the backstage monitor.

Dad sat in the main seat, his face grave and haggard. Meanwhile, William and Violet sat on either side of him. William kept his head down, coughing occasionally while looking frail and aggrieved, and Violet looked extremely concerned and worried.

"First of all, thank you, everyone, for taking the time to attend this press conference," Dad started. "I'm extremely angry and heartbroken about the false rumors now circulating online. My son, Wilfred Carson, is still missing, and our whole family is wrought with grief.

"Yet, during this moment, some attention-seeking people are already maliciously slandering my son, William Carson, and my future daughter-in-law, Violet Hathaway, online.

"William and Wilfred both grew up together, and they both share a deep bond. During this incident, Wilfred chose to sacrifice himself for the sake of William's safety, and I know that William is suffering from survivor's guilt more than anyone else.

"His health is already in poor condition, and he's barely eaten or drunk anything in the past few days, relying entirely on his willpower to stay alive.

"As for Violet, she is childhood best friends with Wilfred, and the first thing she did after hearing the terrible news was to rush back from abroad and has been tirelessly taking care of William at the hospital, hoping only that he can recover as soon as possible and live a good life in Wilfred's place.

"Their relationship is purely platonic and even familial, and yet, it has been maliciously misinterpreted by those despicable people online. Does your conscience not hurt when you spread false rumors like that?"

Dad spoke with such great emotion and deep feeling that some of the more emotional female reporters in the audience had begun wiping away their tears.

Next, it was William's turn to speak.

He weakly picked up the microphone, his eyes red and bloodshot.

"I'm sorry… It's all my fault. If it weren't for saving my life, Wilfred… he…"

William then choked on his words and began to cough weakly, looking as if he were about to faint.

Violet immediately grasped his hand and comforted him softly.

"Don't be like this, Liam. None of this is your fault."

She then looked up and faced the cameras with tears in her eyes.

"Nothing is going on between Liam and me other than a platonic friendship. If Wilfred were alive, I believe that he also wouldn't want to see us being misunderstood like this."

I chuckled as I stared at them through the monitoring screen, interested to see how much longer they'd keep their act up. The cold grin on my lips grew wider and wider.

I'd had enough of the show. It was finally my turn now.

I gave Zack the signal.

It was time for me to give them a nice little "surprise gift" now.