The man who strode into the room exuded an air of cool detachment, standing tall andposed as if he had stepped out of a ssic Hollywood film.


    His features were chiseled and handsome, with an effortless elegance in every movement. A powerful, almost tangible aura surrounded him, leaving those in his presence breathless.


    Upon his arrival, Ste instinctively clenched her fists, a glint of cold determination shing in her eyes.


    Like bees drawn to honey, the journalists swarmed around Haynes O''Brien.


    "Mr. O''Brien, are you here to bring justice, to hold the murderer ountable?" one journalist eagerly asked.


    "Mr. O''Brien, you''ve been silent about Mrs. O''Brien''s alleged attack on Ms. Pearce. Does your silence mean you believe Mrs. O''Brien is guilty?" another pressed.


    "Mr. O''Brien, are you nning to divorce Ste?" came a bold question from the back.


    Cameras shed incessantly, capturing every nuance of Haynes'' impassive expression. He remainedposed, looking as chilly as ever.


    In response to the barrage of questions, he said, "Please, step aside."


    Though his voice was calm, his gaze was piercing, making those around him shiver and instinctively step back.


    Haynes cut through the crowd and turned to Benson beside him, "Clear the room. The press conference is canceled."


    The announcement caused a stir, and the room buzzed with disbelief.


    Ignoring the uproar, Haynes moved gracefully toward Ste on the stage.


    A sharp, sarcasticugh escaped Ste''s lips, cutting through the chatter like a knife.


    Her clear and unwavering voice rose above the mor. "Canceling the press conference, Mr. O''Brien? Afraid I might reveal something that would seal Ms. Pearce''s fate?"


    The crowd''s focus shifted back to Ste, cameras and recorders once again capturing every word.


    "Sealed fate? What does she mean?"


    "Is there more to this story?"


    "If Ste''s holding a press conference, there must be something significant."


    Haynes reached the stage, his sharp eyes, deep and unreadable, fixed on her. He grasped her wrist gently, murmuring, "Let''s talk this over at home."


    Ste stepped back, shrugging off his hand with a cold defiance.


    "Why should we go home to talk, Haynes? So, I can keep taking the fall for Ms. Pearce and endure all the criticism?"


    His gaze hardened. "I''ll handle this, Ste. Let''s go home first."


    She couldn''t help butugh bitterly. "Haynes, this isn''t like you."


    He knew Rachel would be over if the truth came out, so he wanted to handle it quietly to protect her.


    Where was he when the world was tearing Ste apart online? Probably in the hospital, soothing Rachel, promising to fix everything, and condemning Ste as the supposed ''viin.''


    Haynes'' patience wore thin, and his voice turned steely, "Ste, how long will you keep this up?"


    "Keep this up?" Ste''s gaze was icy. "In your eyes, anything less than protecting Rachel is ''keeping this up,'' huh?"


    Realizing he might have overstepped, Haynes paused. "I''ll make it right, Ste. I''ll clear your name. You don''t want the world seeing our mess, do you?"


    Ste pondered, her gaze steady, "Fine, let''s talk then."


    A flicker of relief softened Haynes'' usually stern expression.


    Ste turned and headed toward the backstage, with Haynes following closely behind.