CHAPTER 324
"Why are you lying, Professor Cornwell?" Arianna's voice was calm yet firm, her piercing gaze fixed on him.
Selby stiffened, visibly caught off guard by her unwavering determination. For a moment, his lips parted as if to deny it, but instead, he snapped, his voice sharp and defensive.
"I’m telling you the truth! Every single word I said is the truth!" His fingers curled tightly, his hands balling into fists, while his shoulders stiffened, a clear sign of his mounting frustration.
He exhaled deeply, his voice softening into something more despairing.
“I understand that my actions have dragged you into this mess, and I have no excuse. But I swear, I’m not lying. I can’t undo the past, but I can at least apologize sincerely.”
His anguish was palpable.
It wasn't the nervous reaction of someone who had done something wrong; instead, it was the heavy attitude of a man who was holding a lot of pain.
Arianna observed him. She recognized the look in his eyes—the same haunted expression she had once worn during the darkest days of her life.
She thought of the anguish she felt when betrayed by someone she trusted, when her world fell apart and her heart ached in ways words couldn’t capture.
She spoke softly but with unwavering resolve.
“You’re not blaming yourself because you hurt her, Professor Cornwell? "You're not telling me everything, are you? There's more to this than you're admitting."
Selby remained silent, his clenched jaw and trembling hands betraying his emotions.
“Was it someone else who caused her pain? Perhaps… your family?” she pressed, her voice calm but probing.
“Did your family intervene after the incident? Did they force her to disappear?”
Her questions hit like arrows, but Selby refused to answer.
His face darkened, and he barked,
“That’s enough, Mrs. King! I don’t have anything more to say. Please leave!”
Without waiting for her response, he stood abruptly and stormed toward the stairs, his shoulders stiff with tension.
Arianna’s voice followed him, steady but filled with quiet determination.
“You love her, don’t you, Professor Cornwell? And she loved you too.”
Selby froze mid-step, his back still turned to her. His hands clenched into fists at his sides before he spun around, his red-rimmed eyes blazing.
“Shut up! You don’t know anything about it! Stop pretending you understand!”
Unshaken, Arianna met his gaze, her expression calm and resolute.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
Selby staggered slightly, as though her words had struck him like a physical blow. His shoulders slumped, and a hollow laugh escaped him.
“It’s irrelevant now,” he said with a bitter edge, his voice trembling.
"Knowing the truth won’t make a difference.
What’s done is done, and it’s far too late to alter the outcome...It’s already too late”
Selby’s words lingered heavily in the air, and Arianna’s instincts flared. Something felt off. Her pulse quickened as she pulled her phone from her bag and opened the social media app GossipNet.
Her breath hitched when she saw the top trending topic: #ProfessorCornwellApology.
Fingers trembling slightly, she clicked the hashtag.
The leading post was from Selby. It had been uploaded barely thirty minutes ago—right before he had opened the door to her.
In the attached video, Selby appeared onscreen, his expression sombre and resigned.
Facing the camera, he confessed to the allegations that had been circulating online, including the harassment of a former student and the more recent claims involving Linda.
He apologized to the public, the former student, and Linda by name.
He also extended his remorse to Starlight TV and Arianna. Selby went on to declare that he would take full responsibility for his actions, cover all of Linda’s medical expenses, and accept any legal consequences if Linda chose to sue him.
Arianna’s heart sank as she processed his words. Despite his innocence, he had shouldered the blame entirely.
Selby, standing nearby, noticed her watching the video. Bowing deeply, his voice cracked as he said,
“I’m sorry, Mrs. King. This was the only way…”
The weight of his decision was evident in his strained voice. He had sacrificed himself to protect someone he cared deeply for, even if it meant betraying the trust Arianna had placed in him.
Without waiting for her response, Selby turned and began ascending the stairs, his movements slow and heavy.
Arianna’s grip tightened on her phone as she watched him retreat. She understood there was no point in following him or trying to argue. Selby had made up his mind, and nothing she could say would change that.
.........
In a large conference room at Silverdale, a crowd of reporters buzzed with excitement, their cameras focused on the stage, ready for the big moment.
Xander was seated at the front of a long table next to Michael Holt, the CEO of SVD Group. They were about to wrap up their innovative partnership agreement.
The atmosphere was tense as they carefully signed and stamped their copies of the contract. After finishing the formalities, they passed the signed documents to their assistants for secure safekeeping.
Xander and Michael rose from their seats, clasping hands in a firm handshake that exuded both confidence and mutual respect. Their expressions reflected a blend of pride and professional determination. The room buzzed with the sound of cameras snapping, capturing this pivotal moment for the media.
The alliance between King Corporation and SVD Group marked a significant milestone for both companies, reinforcing their influence on the global stage. This partnership promised to unlock new opportunities and elevate their standing in the highly competitive business world.
Michael, nearing 60, exuded an energy and optimism that belied his years. He held great admiration for Xander’s leadership.
Over the years, many prominent corporations in Silverdale had approached Michael with proposals for collaboration, yet Xander stood out as an exceptional partner. Despite having spent less time with him compared to others, his vision and acumen left an indelible impression.
Known as one of the fastest-rising business magnates, Xander had built his empire with remarkable precision and strategy. His youth never detracted from his capabilities; instead, he often displayed wisdom and foresight that rivaled, and at times exceeded, those of seasoned leaders like Michael.
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