13.Those times are over

'Stop this nonsense at once, Briella! What you're doing isn't right anymore!" Xander shouted angrily at her. She stood up and proudly faced Xander. 'You're right, and I need to stop this nonsense and make the right decision. I got to go, and reporters are waiting for me outside." She glanced at Mr. Cayab, who was still shocked by her revelation. 'If you think you can defeat me, Briella, you're mistaken! I won't lose to a loser like you!" Matilda hissed at her with rage. She faced Matilda emotionlessly and locked eyes with her. I won't back down! Just wait. I'll wipe that ugly face of yours… in time. But for now, I'll let you make a fool of yourself! 'Matty? Should I be worried? Oh! Just a reminder, you're just a model while my fiancé is the CEO of this company." She mockingly smiled at the woman and left Xander's office without looking back. If they thought she'd let herself be oppressed, they'd only end up looking foolish for hoping so. Those times are over, and she needs to reclaim her hidden true self, thinking she was with the right person. As she exited the agency, reporters were already waiting. Cameras flashed as they crowded around her. Three burly men shielded her from the reporters getting too close. She noticed Chelsey and her friend, one of the stockholders, standing to the side, watching her. Soon after, Xander, Matilda, and Mr. Cayab exited in succession. That's what she was waiting for, and she began to speak. But before she could start, a reporter bluntly asked her, 'Briella, is it true that you stole the spotlight from Matilda and attended the event without even speaking to the CEO of Star Agency?" She noticed the reporter's discreet glance toward Matilda, indicating they might have been paid to press her further. 'Is it also true that you're here to admit your mistakes and apologize for the deception you've caused?" Another reporter added fuel to the fire. 'Is it true that jealousy pushed you to do that, seeing Matilda rising and getting recognized in the modeling industry?" another one asked. She sighed audibly into the microphone, showing her displeasure with the questions. 'If you've already judged me, and that's what you think, then why am I even facing you all now?" she retorted confidently. The reporters fell silent, seemingly taken aback by her response, prompting her to continue. 'I will answer some of your questions, but first, I have something to say," she added, glancing at Xander and Matilda, who was waiting for her following words. She didn't see Mr. Cayab anymore; perhaps he realized it wasn't right to accuse her, as she was innocent and was forced into the situation. 'I signed a new contract with Star Agency and am now one of their models. The incident at the exclusive T-Trends fashion show wasn't my fault. The fashion organizer filled me in because their designated model didn't appear. I know you all were called here to witness my apology to the CEO of that company, but that's not going to happen. I stand by what I believe is right, and if anyone should apologize, it isn't me," she declared to the gathered reporters. 'Excuse me, guys, but this conference is done," Xander interjected, attempting to grab her arm, but she quickly pulled away. 'It's okay, Xander, this will all end soon, and people will forget what happened," she added. 'What the hell are you doing?" he whispered to her. 'I'm making my comeback," she formally replied, audible to everyone because of the nearby microphone. Everyone present was stunned, probably thinking she was using the chaos from the event to further her fame. That's how the industry worked—people wouldn't seek the truth when involved in controversy. Judgments and criticisms come first, especially for newcomers like her. After a moment of silence, the reporters started buzzing again with questions. She didn't get to answer them as Harvey quickly pulled her away. She glanced at her friend Cecile and gave her a discreet nod. If Xander thought he could deter her plans, he was mistaken. She had Xander figured out. The one good thing from her time being subservient to him and being blind was that she knew how he thought. She had been foolish and had overlooked his betrayal. 'Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down. I'll answer all questions," Cecile announced, suddenly appearing in front of the reporters. 'I am Cecile Damian, one of the biggest investors of Star Agency." 'What the hell?" Xander muttered under his breath, hearing Cecile's voice. He looked shocked and pale when he saw Cecile addressing the reporters. His brows furrowed as he glanced at Briella, who calmly stood by, emotionless. What are you up to, Briella? Why did you suddenly become rebellious and defy my orders? Could Matilda be right that you're just envious of her? I never thought your ugly side would show. Good thing I listened to Matilda and didn't show up at our supposed wedding rehearsal! You would've been an embarrassment as a wife! 'Xander, what's happening?" A confused Matilda approached. He let go of Briella's hand and faced Matilda. 'Let's just hear what Cecile will say." Matilda nodded, her gaze piercing Briella. 'You have some nerve, using this opportunity to gain fame! Have you become so desperate that you're stealing things I've worked hard for?" she accused Briella. Briella raised an eyebrow in response to Matilda's furious accusation. Briella's smile seemed to suggest something, and just looking at it made Matilda's entire body tense. 'Fame? Oh, right, I forgot, you mean the fame I've earned by tirelessly convincing advertising companies?" Briella retorted with emphasis. They exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing as they looked around, worried that someone might overhear their conversation. Matilda was concerned that someone might hear what they were saying. Only Matilda, her assistant, and Briella knew about this. 'Oh, did I scare you?" He furrowed his brows, wanting to cover Briella's mouth in those moments. He was afraid someone might hear them, and he would be embarrassed. No one else knew about this except him, Matilda, her assistant, and Briella. 'Shut your mouth, Briella. We shouldn't be discussing this here," Xander gently scolded her, although he was boiling with rage inside. He desperately wanted to grab Briella by the throat and silence her. May God forgive him for the anger he was feeling now, and his chest was burning with intense fury. 'Even if I stay silent and don't speak up, your foolishness will eventually come to light," Briella said. Matilda clenched her fists, restraining herself from causing a scene in front of the media. She was furious with the situation, but she could do nothing. Briella's words replayed in her mind. 'You, Matty, what business do you have here? Are you his girlfriend, guarding him so no one else can take him away?" 'Yes, I have high aspirations. First, I'm the fiancée of the CEO of this agency, and that will happen soon. Second, I am one of the models who have reached the pinnacle of my career. And third…" ‘Damn you, Briella! You'll never succeed in taking everything from me! You'll see. I'll crush you over and over. I'll do everything to keep you in your place, like a dog following our commands. You're nothing but a slave to me!' 'If you could speak without any guilt, Briella. Maybe you forgot that you're blocklisted by one of the famous agencies in this country. Do you think you'll find endorsers in your current state?" Matilda said with a malicious grin. Briella just shrugged and didn't respond. She turned her attention to the woman before the reporters and started talking. 'Ms. Damian, what is the truth behind what Ms. Briella Montañez said?" one reporter asked. 'Do you have any information on this matter?" another reporter quickly said. Matilda furrowed her brows and glanced downward at Briella. Seeing her calmly standing there without fear or worry infuriated Matilda even more. 'We've received a report about this issue, and we're investigating it. If we find any evidence of such activities that we weren't aware of, we'll ensure that anyone involved will be held accountable for this mess. Also, they'll have to face Mr. Cayab and his company for the disturbance and breaching the contract. We are not tolerating this kind of attitude," Cecile explained. 'And if we find out that Briella is just making up stories, the consequences for her will be even greater. T-Trends can do whatever they want to Briella, and Star Agency will support them," she continued with a lengthy explanation. Matilda's eyebrows furrowed deeply, and she turned sharply to Briella. 'This is your fcking doing!" she exclaimed, raising her voice. Some staff members turned to look at them. Matilda was aware of this, but she didn't care. She needed to express what was inside her, or she might explode from anger. 'Matty, calm down," Xander tried to restrain her, discreetly squeezing her arm. 'No! How can I calm down when that btch is making up stories?! She talked to Cecile and begged for her support!" Matilda said. 'Oh my God, does she even know who she's accusing?" a staff member nearby whispered. 'If Miss Cecile finds out about what she's saying, that might be the reason for her downfall," another staff member whispered, audible enough for Matilda to hear. Matilda glared at the staff members, and they quickly backed away, intimidated. Don't they know that my boyfriend is the CEO of this agency? How dare they speak to me like that?! 'Xander, I want you to fire those bitches. I don't want to see their faces starting from now," Matilda whispered to Xander. He nodded and looked at the two women. 'Okay, I'll do that, but please calm down." She took a deep breath and looked at Briella. 'You won't succeed in your evil plan, Briella. The truth about you intentionally sabotaging that event will come out sooner or later," Matilda accused her. 'I agree," Briella retorted. 'The truth will come out, and I'm sure you won't like the outcome." Matilda couldn't speak further because Briella had turned away, moving to where her assistant stood. It was as if the assistant wanted to stab Matilda with her piercing gaze. 'You'll see, you won't succeed in your plan to bring me down," Matilda muttered. 'I will prevail because I have the man you're infatuated with." She grinned and instinctively wrapped her hand around Xander's arm. I am the true Mrs. Xander Madrigal! You're nothing to him!