Three days after the news broke, Claude stepped into the public eye again. He stood at the main entrance of Yancey Bank, surrounded by reporters, and announced that he was stepping down as vice president for a while.
"This is my personal issue, so please don't involve the bank," Claude said. "Yancey Bank has been successful because of your support. Please focus your questions on me. I'm ready for whatever you have to say. Thank you." Despite disappearing for a few days due to the scandal, Claude remained calm as he spoke.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAs he tried to leave, reporters crowded around, blocking his exit. One reporter pushed forward, holding up a recorder, and asked, "Did you assault Ms. Morgan the day she died? The Harrises are upset with your family about it. Did your actions cause her death?" Claude kept his smile and replied, "No, I'm sorry, but I won't answer that." "Why won't you answer the question?" the reporter pressed.
"We're here to talk about my role at Yancey," Claude responded.
When the reporter tried to ask more, Lilah stepped in. "Ms. Morgan has passed away, and Mr. Claude is stepping down. We can't answer these questions out of respect for her family." "Why not just deny it if it's not true? The Harrises didn't," another reporter shouted.
"I'm really sorry," was all Claude said.
His secretary then intervened, "Please let us through. Mr. Claude won't be answering more questions." Lilah and a few men cleared a path, but the reporters were relentless, their cameras clashing in the chaos.
The unfolded on live TV.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmTyler watched from his office, idly spinning his pen.
In the Harrises' home, Olivia watched silently, while Ana smirked cataly from the couch. A chill swept through En. the room, giving Olivia goosebumps. That evening, Naomi called Olivia. When Olivia answered but remained silent, Naomi said, "Don't get mixed up in this."
She paused, knowing Olivia still hasn't forgiven her, then added, "The Harrises and Pearces are no longer on good terms. Stay away from Claude."
After Olivia hung up, Naomi set down her phone and turned to Tyler who was flipping through a magazine. "How did the media get hold of this?" she wondered. "There's always people who aren't afraid of stepping on the family's toes," Tyler replied, turning a page.
Naomi sensed that something was odd with how quickly everything had escalated.