Chapter 470 She Will Not Appear in Front of You Again
Ayla felt like she had been hit over the head with a stick, standing there in a daze.
She had been staying in the villa for the past few days, with no contact from Garry or anyone from the Bridges Group. She had been holding onto a sliver of hope, thinking there was still a chance to make amends.
But now, with the Starlight Corporation project in trouble, she was truly finished.
Seeing Ayla frozen in place, Garry shouted angrily, "Why are you still standing there? Go back and get ready! I'm warning you, if you mess up tonight's press conference, you can get out of the Bridges family. From now on, we'll act like you don't exist!"
"Grandpa."
Damon sneered, "Ayla, I suggest you hurry up and prepare for tonight's press conference. Seb will be there too. If he's not satisfied with your apology, you might end up in jail again."
"What did you say? Seb is coming too?" Ayla's face twisted in shock.
"Yes, and you also have to compensate Silvercrest Group for their losses. You don't think a few apologies will fix the disgusting thing you did at the bidding meeting, do you?"
Neither the Bridges Group nor Garry would help her with this money.
Ayla didn't know how she got back to the villa. By the time she came to her senses, it was already evening.
Carol walked up with a worried expression, "Ms. Bridges, you haven't eaten anything all day. Please have something to eat."
"I don't want to eat."
"But if you don't eat, your health..."
"I said I don't want to eat! Don't you understand? Get out! I don't want to see anyone right now!"
Her sudden outburst and twisted expression startled Carol, causing her to take two steps back.
"Okay... Ms. Bridges, I understand."
Carol turned and left, leaving Ayla alone in the living room.
She took a deep breath, checked the time, and went upstairs to wash up and put on makeup.
At this point, the Bridges Group and Garry were likely planning to sacrifice her to restore the group's dignity.
Given Garry's disappointment in her, if anything went wrong at tonight's press conference, he would probably announce their estrangement right then and there.
This was something she absolutely could not accept.
Even if she was kicked out of the Bridges Group, as long as she was still part of the Bridges family, she had a chance to start over.
She would make Leo and those who looked down on her regret it!
At 8 PM, the press conference was held on time at the Blue Ocean Hotel.
Ayla wore a modest white suit and light makeup, but she still looked haggard.
As soon as the conference began, the reporters started firing questions.
"Ms. Bridges, as the general manager of the Bridges Group, you used underhanded tactics against a competitor during the bidding process to secure the project. Have you always relied on such methods to obtain collaborations?"
"Ms. Bridges, it's said that you invested billions of dollars to collaborate with Starlight Corporation. Now that Starlight Corporation is bankrupt, does that mean the investment is lost?"
"Ms. Bridges, there are rumors that you were detained for several days for sabotaging Silvercrest Group's bid during the bidding process. Is this true?"
The reporters' questions grew sharper, and Ayla's face became increasingly grim.
Especially when she saw Sharon and Seb sitting in the audience, watching her, she felt utterly humiliated.
She felt utterly exposed and vulnerable, like she was on display for everyone to criticize and make fun of.
Her pride and dignity were trampled and crushed to dust.
Garry's impatient voice came through the earpiece, "Are you mute? Apologize now!"
Ayla took a deep breath and spoke into the microphone, "Good evening, everyone. I'm here tonight to explain what happened at the Harmonious Shopping Mall bidding site a few days ago."
"First, I want to apologize to Mr. Smith, the president of Silvercrest Group. I harmed Silvercrest Group's interests for the sake of my company, preventing them from participating in the bid and rendering months of effort futile. I am willing to bear all consequences and compensate Silvercrest Group for all their losses. I hope Mr. Smith can forgive my mistake."
"Secondly, the mistake I made at the bidding site was entirely my own doing and has nothing to do with the Bridges Group."
"Finally, after tonight's press conference, I will resign as the general manager of the Bridges Group and will no longer be involved in any of the group's affairs."
After speaking, Ayla bowed deeply to everyone present.
The room erupted in an uproar, and the reporters continued to bombard her with questions.
However, Ayla did not respond. Instead, the lawyer beside her took the microphone.
"Hello, everyone. I am Darren Phillips, the legal counsel for the Bridges Group. I will now address your questions."
While Darren answered the reporters' questions, Ayla sat to the side, becoming a background figure.
No one noticed her tightly clenched hands under the table, her nails digging into her palms.
After the press conference, Ayla moved her stiff body and got up to leave, but Darren stopped her.
"Ms. Bridges, Mr. Garry Bridges said not to leave after the press conference."
"Is there something else?"
Darren was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know."
Ayla took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay, I understand."
Soon, a waiter came to take Ayla to see Garry.
As soon as she entered the private room, she saw Seb and Sharon sitting inside, with Garry standing nearby, smiling obsequiously.
The scene stung Ayla's eyes, and she clenched her hands tightly at her sides.
Garry had always been proud and had never bowed to anyone.
His recent concessions were all because of her.
Thinking of this, Ayla felt a surge of sadness and guilt.
"Grandpa."
Garry glanced at her and said coldly, "Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Smith."
Then he turned to Seb, his smile ingratiating, "Mr. Smith, my granddaughter was spoiled before, so she didn't know the weight of her actions. I brought her here today to apologize properly and hope you'll forgive her this time."
"I promise she won't be allowed back into the company or appear before you again."
Seb looked at Ayla indifferently, a faint smile on his lips, "It seems Ms. Bridges doesn't really want to apologize. I'm not particularly interested in hearing her say sorry."
Could a simple apology erase the months of effort by Silvercrest Group employees?
"How could that be?"
Garry turned to Ayla, who was still standing at the door, and shouted angrily, "Get over here! Do you want me to come and get you?"
Ayla slowly walked forward, suppressing her unwillingness and hatred, and lowered her head, "Mr. Smith, I'm sorry. I apologize for my previous actions and hope you can forgive me this time."
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