Chapter 102

Ariana was not expecting Lily to show up instead of Alexander, and the surprise left her momentarily stunned. Lily smiled as she approached Ariana on her hospital bed. "You seem shocked to see me, Miss Martins. Were you anticipating someone else to walk through that door?"

Ariana smiled back. "Yes, I’m surprised you’re here. Given the turmoil at Kane Corporation, I didn’t think you’d have the time to visit me in the hospital. I assumed you’d be too busy handling the situation. But since you made the time, I feel quite honored and special." Ariana placed her hand on her chest, feigning gratitude.

Lily smiled as she gracefully sat in a nearby chair, crossing her legs with poise. As Ariana observed Lily, a surge of envy washed over her. Despite Lily's simple attire—office pants, a cream silk blouse, black heels, and a ponytail—she exuded elegance, grace, and beauty. Ariana couldn't help but resent Lily for having everything she had ever wanted: the man she loved, a complete family, and a beauty that could drive anyone wild. Clenching her fists under the duvet, Ariana forced a smile as Lily returned the gesture.

"Is there a particular reason you’re here, Lily?"

"Lily?" Lily arched a brow. Before discovering that Ariana had been Alexander’s past love, Lily had allowed her to use her first name. But now, she wouldn’t permit it any longer. "Mrs. Kane. You should address me as Mrs. Kane—that’s my name to you."

Ariana frowned inwardly. Acknowledging Lily as Mrs. Kane meant accepting her as Alexander's wife, something Ariana didn’t want to do, though she had no choice now. "Mrs. Kane," Ariana finally said, forcing a smile. "But I thought we were close—you even invited me to your daughter’s birthday party."

"Any relationship we have is strictly business, Miss Martins."

Ariana nodded. "If you say so. So, why are you here?"

Lily leaned back in her chair. "You’re surely aware of the chaos that unfolded today—how the incident at the party yesterday went viral, causing mayhem and impacting the stock prices of both Kane Corporation and my family’s empire."

"I saw it, and I wish there was something I could do since it’s all happening because of me," Ariana replied, feigning sadness.

Lily observed her for a moment before smiling inwardly. "I’m glad you’re willing to help resolve it."

"What do you mean?" Ariana asked, confused.

Lily stood up and made a call. "Have they arrived?" she asked, receiving confirmation from the other end. "Good," she responded before ending the call.

A knock at the door was followed by Katrina entering with several shopping bags. Ariana watched in confusion, unsure of what Lily was planning. Lily placed the bags near her. "The reporters are already at the hospital entrance. You’ll need to prepare yourself with one of these outfits because you’re about to be interviewed."

"Why would I need to do that?" Ariana asked.

"You said you wanted to help resolve the crisis. I need you to go on that interview and tell everyone that yesterday’s incident was a misunderstanding."

Ariana clenched her fists under the duvet. "But I was genuinely pushed by Mr. Kane without cause. Shouldn’t he apologize first to help resolve the issue?"

"You know very well why he pushed you, Ariana. A person who betrayed him years ago suddenly appears, hugging his wife."

Ariana shook her head. "I’ve told you all before that I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re confusing me—I can’t remember anything!" she shouted, trying to sound convincing.

Samson entered the room to ensure they weren’t harming her. "I think it’s best you leave, ma’am," he said, indicating the door.

Tears streamed down Ariana’s face as she looked at Lily, who stared back at her. "You don’t remember anything?" Lily asked, ignoring Samson completely.

Ariana nodded. "When I woke up from a coma two years ago, the only things I remembered were my name and some childhood memories. That’s how I recognized my mother, who cared for me during the 12 years I was in a coma."

"You’ve been in a coma for twelve years?" Lily was taken aback by this revelation.

"Yes, and according to my mother, I survived a plane crash thanks to expert doctors. So, you see, I don’t remember anything you’re accusing me of," Ariana said innocently, wiping away her tears.

Lily processed this new information. "I don’t believe what you’re saying—you’ve shown no proof. But that aside, you need to get dressed. I don’t care what you plan to say to the reporters, but make sure it’s enough to get us out of this crisis," Lily said with the authority of a boss addressing a subordinate.

"We’ll wait outside for you," Lily said as she and Katrina left the room.

After they exited, Ariana gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. She wanted to scream but knew they’d hear her. She had expected to do an interview eventually, but not under Lily’s terms. Her plan to have Alexander confront her and capture a video of him mistreating her had failed. She had hoped the situation would worsen before she gave the interview on her own terms.

After dressing in one of the outfits Lily had bought, Ariana stepped outside, and they proceeded to meet the reporters waiting outside the hospital. The moment they saw her, the reporters rushed toward her.

"Miss Martins! Miss Martins! Could you explain what happened yesterday at the party? Were you mistreated by the Kanes?" one reporter asked as they eagerly awaited her response.

Ariana glanced at Lily, who stood at a distance, watching her.

"There was a misunderstanding," Ariana finally said.

"What kind of misunderstanding would land you in the hospital?" another reporter asked.

"I have amnesia," Ariana responded, and cameras flashed as reporters began firing more questions.

"What do you mean you have amnesia?"

"How did it happen?"

The reporters bombarded her with questions, making it difficult for her to speak over the noise.

"Quiet!" Samson shouted, and the reporters fell silent, waiting for her to speak.

"Two years ago, I woke up from a 12-year coma. I was in a coma for twelve years," Ariana revealed, shocking everyone.

"Twelve years? How did that happen?" a reporter asked.

"When I woke up, the only person I recognized was my mother and a few childhood memories—everything else was gone. My mother told me I had been in a plane crash, and that I’d suffered burns on my face and body, which were later fixed with cosmetic surgery."

"For the past two years, I’ve been recovering from the coma and trying to remember the past I’ve forgotten. When I attended the banquet yesterday and was confronted by the Kanes, I suddenly developed a severe headache and felt weak since I’m not fully recovered. That’s why I was rushed to the hospital."

The reporters shook their heads, feeling sorry for her.

"Can you tell us what they were questioning you about and why Alexander Kane pushed you?" one reporter asked.

"I was shocked when he suddenly pushed me," Ariana replied, her expression sad. "Then, a young man, who I believe was his friend, began interrogating me. He asked if I recognized Alexander and him, along with another man standing nearby. He asked if I remembered betraying Alexander Kane years ago."

"Betrayal?" the reporters echoed.

Ariana nodded, looking sorrowful. "They seemed convinced I had done something terrible to him in the past, which led to him pushing me away when I tried to hug Mrs. Kane. It was all so confusing. I can’t remember anything from before the plane crash—all I want is to start a new life."

"If I’ve hurt anyone in the past, including Mr. Kane, I want to ask for your forgiveness. After waking up from a 12-year coma, all I want is to start fresh and live in peace," she said, tears rolling down her cheeks, evoking sympathy from the reporters.

Instead of resolving the situation, her interview only made things worse. The backlash grew, with more hateful comments flooding the internet. The company’s crisis deepened as the Kanes were now labeled as bullies of the sick. Ariana, meanwhile, garnered even more pity.