Chapter 660 A Trap Set and Shattered
Paul’s sneering voice echoed from every speaker around the room. “Come on, Alan. Get up here.”
He grinned cruelly. “The woman you claim to love is right here, surrounded by the press, being called a whore. Didn’t you say your love was real? That it wasn’t some scheme to claw your way into the Powell family? If that’s true, why are you too scared to even step on stage?”
Taylor’s eyes were bloodshot with rage. She knew exactly what Paul was doing–he was cornering Alan, exploiting his loyalty to her. By dragging her into a media storm, Paul was trying to force Alan to take the fall and “confess” just to protect her reputation. But that was unacceptable.
She and Alan had done nothing wrong. He was only her loyal bodyguard–nothing more. There had been no affair, no betrayal. He didn’t deserve to be crucified for something that never happened, even if it was for her sake.
Paul met her glare with a mocking look, completely unfazed by her fury.
Under the mounting pressure from the press, Alan finally stepped onto the stage. At this point, hiding would only make things worse. He frowned, scanning the sea of cameras and whispers, then turned toward Taylor’s worried eyes–and Paul’s malicious smirk.
Taylor shook her head at him, her face full of anguish. Don’t admit anything. Don’t fall into his trap…
Alan stood tall. “I am merely Miss Taylor’s personal servant, trained by Mr. Gerado himself. My duty is to protect her. I would never dare harbor any personal feelings.”
Paul scoffed. “Still denying it? Then how do you explain the photos? Did Mr. Gerado also tell you to protect her in bed?”
Alan’s eyes flashed with fury. “You better have proof for those words–or you’re slandering my lady’s name! Those pictures are doctored. I’ve already called the police. This fake evidence will be exposed.”
Paul chuckled dismissively, utterly unbothered. He pointed to the floor. “If you want this to end, just kneel here and apologize. Say you’ll never try to seduce my wife again, and I’ll let it go.”
“You’ve gone too far, Paul!” Taylor shouted. “He hasn’t done anything!”
Alan’s lips remained sealed. He couldn’t plead guilty–doing so would tarnish Taylor’s name.
Paul smirked. “Fine. Don’t want to apologize? Then how about this—you say these photos are fake, right? Then prove it. Swear, right now, in front of everyone, that you have absolutely no feelings for Taylor, and that you will always remain her servant. And if one day, you do develop feelings for her–then may she meet a terrible end. Do you dare?”
Gasps erupted from the media.
“He’s using his wife as the wager? Doesn’t seem like he loves her that much after all…”
“Exactly. He could’ve said Alan would die if he fell for Taylor–but instead he cursed his own wife…”
“Honestly, I think Paul knows Alan really does like Taylor. That’s why he’s forcing this kind of oath–to make Alan give up.”
Paul raised his hand like a showman. “Yes! That’s exactly my point.”
He turned back to Alan. “I love my wife. I don’t want her manipulated by some nobody. If you swear now, she’ll give up on you and come back to me. But if you can’t swear it, then we don’t even need the police–your guilt will be clear.”
Taylor’s heart raced. She stared desperately at Alan, silently begging him–Don’t do it. Don’t listen to him. None of what he says matters.
In her earpiece, Yunice’s voice came through like a lifeline. “Taylor, stay calm. I just messaged Alan. He won’t take the oath. The forensics team is almost there. These fake photos will be dealt with.”
Like a tranquilizer, Yunice’s voice calmed Taylor’s storming thoughts. She forced herself to appear composed and glanced down at Alan. Sure enough, she saw him check his phone. He gripped it tightly–Taylor recognized that gesture. It meant he was conflicted, uncertain.
All she could do now was stare anxiously at the entrance to the press hall, praying the team Yunice had dispatched would arrive soon. Hurry… please, hurry.
As if hearing her thoughts, Yunice said in her ear, “They’re here.”
At that exact moment, police officers and forensic experts stepped into the room.
“Who placed the report?” asked one of the officers.
Alan immediately raised his hand. “I did.”
The officers and a plainclothes investigator approached both parties to gather information.
Minus later, the technical team began analyzing the images wearing to deliver hard cupience thas could shift the dee once again.