Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“What?”

Samantha’s expression was still blank. She was much, much more shocked at everything that happened compared to the group of reporters. At that moment, her mind was blank and she could not move at all.

The reporter’s eyes brightened, but just as he was thinking of following up on his earlier question, Timothy held Samantha tightly before him, hooking his slender fingers over her delicate chin. Her head was tilted up as he lowered his.

His thin lips covered Samantha’s scarlet lips and he forcefully gave her a deep kiss, as if there was no one else beside her.

Screams and gasps abounded.

Samantha’s eyes widened and her eyes were filled only with Timothy’s handsome face. She did not know whether she was cooperating with the acting or whether it was her instinct, but she threw her hands around Timothy’s neck and closed her eyes slowly.

She kissed him back in the same manner, as if there was no one else around her.

Despite the huge crowd in the conference room, Timothy and Samantha seemed to have entered a world of their own, with anything out of that world having little to no effect on them.

No one would suspect that the relationship between them was fake.

It was clearly a show of mutual love and affection!

Samantha’s head started spinning after the kiss. She was out of breath and her legs were still a little limp. Fortunately, Timothy still had his arms around her waist, stopping her from feeling unstable.

The passionate kiss had replaced the need for an answer. Timothy has always disliked such scenes, so he lifted his eyelids and cast a glance at Ronald, who had been standing on one side of the stage.

Ronald understood at once and immediately made a gesture. A group of well-trained black-clad bodyguards entered the conference room and forcefully separated the group of reporters.

Timothy’s thin lips were practically pressed against Samantha’s ear when he whispered, “Let’s go.”

After that, he took large strides and walked out while still maintaining his grip around Samantha to protect her.

When the reporters decided to continue chasing after them, Ronald stepped onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and cleared his throat before saying, “My dear friends, may I have your attention! I have something to say on Mr. Barker’s behalf!”

‘On Mr. Barker’s behalf!’

Those four words prompted everyone to freeze.

Was there still some inside information to be revealed?

The reporters’ all moved simultaneously, pointing their microphones and cameras at Ronald onstage. Each and every one of them was looking forward to it!

Ronald curled his lips and spoke with grandeur, “As for all those official accounts or cybertroopers spreading rumors on the internet regarding Ms. Larsson—or rather, Mrs. Barker, you have until the end of the press conference to apologize to her and delete whatever blogs or postings you made. Otherwise, the Barker Group’s lawyers will be having a one-on-one talk with you regarding some legal issues!”

After a half-minute pause, he waited until the reporters digested that sentence before smiling and opening his mouth again, “As for the reporters present here, news reports are to disseminate truth, not for creating rumors and fostering unhealthy trends. If any of the media companies you represent are found to have fabricated facts and false reports, the Barker Group’s lawyers will have a nice talk with you and the organizations you represent!”

The reporters looked at each other in silence.

They thought Ronald was going to reveal something juicy, but in the end, he was simply warning them. In fact, he wanted to use them as the media to warn those who spread rumors on the internet…

The epitome of blood-sucking capitalists alright! That double blow killed two birds with one stone and none of them were able to get any benefit out of it!

Even so, no one dared to say a word.

Everyone knew that the Barker Group’s lawyers were sure-win people.

There was no lawsuit they could not win and their appearance alone made the case a sure-win.

The reporter’s media organizations could not afford to offend the Barkers and neither could the reporters.

One had no choice but to bow in the face of power!

The reporters forced a smile and could only nod their heads in response. “We will, we will!”

Ronald scanned the crowd and nodded in satisfaction. “Today’s press conference has come to a close. Thank you, everyone!”

The reporters were practically crying. The only person who had come out of it unscathed was Samantha. The reporters had all attended the press conference in vain and the headlines that they already had in hand were all gone…

Upon seeing that, Mr. Cheadle squatted down and tried to sneak away in the chaos. Unfortunately, he had only taken two steps when the back of his collar was grabbed all of a sudden.

Startled, he looked back and saw the mild-mannered Ronald grabbing him. In his anger, he scolded, “What are you doing? Let me go!”

Mr. Cheadle struggled hard and even tried to attack Ronald!

Ronald sneered and did not bother to say anything at all. He kicked Mr. Cheadle’s knees from behind and the latter knelt directly on the ground while letting out a painful cry. “Aghh—”

His eyes were filled with shock, for he never expected Ronald to have such a character. Ronald might look like a weak little bookworm, but the kick was so painful that Mr. Cheadle started to sweat.

As expected, the people around Timothy should not be underestimated!

A black-clothed bodyguard then came and Ronald handed Mr. Cheadle over. After Ronald dusted his hands, he straightened his clothes, and lifted his feet to leave.

All of a sudden, Ronald felt a grip on his thigh.

He stopped and looked down.

It was Simon who was latching on with a shocked and mind-boggled expression. He trembled and asked, “Mr. Crawford, is Samantha really married to Mr. Barker??”

He could not believe it at all!

He clearly married Samantha off to a crippled rich man that did not show their face in public. How could that person have been Timothy?

Was he dreaming?

Ronald frowned and looked at him in utter disgust.

What Simon and Cynthia did that day had disgusted Ronald thoroughly. It also made him pity Samantha very much for having such parents. Had Samantha not been strong enough, she would have been wrecked.

He opened his mouth to speak, but rather than answering Simon’s question, he coldly spat out two words, “You fool.”

Simon had a chance to genuinely become Timothy’s father-in-law, but after all that had happened, that chance would never come!

Sinners never win!

Ronald kicked him unceremoniously and walked out!

…

At the conference room.

When Alan rushed over and saw Samantha’s figure coming out, he did a quick look at her and felt relieved after seeing that she was not injured.

He originally intended to show up at the scene that day, but since he was one of the men rumored to have an affair with her, he would cause even more misunderstanding if he arrived at the scene and was seen by the reporters. As a result, he stayed in the hotel to watch the live broadcast.

However, the live broadcast got stuck midway and he bounced out of the feed. When he tried entering again, the screen was black and nothing could be seen.

He was very much worried that Samantha would be besieged by the crowd of reporters and her own parents as well. Fearing that something happened to her, he did not think twice and immediately drove out, slamming the gas pedal all the way. He even ran through several red lights just to rush over.

Thank goodness she was alright!

Alan had just managed to breathe a sigh of relief when he subconsciously lifted his feet and walked toward Samantha..