697  Chapter 696

The room was buzzing with activity, and though it was impossible to pinpoint who had spoken, Keira Olsen’s sharp eyes quickly spotted someone in the crowd who wasn’t saying a word.

Her gaze darkened as she signaled to Lewis, who had followed her in.

Lewis immediately moved to circle behind the suspect while Keira advanced from the front. Within moments, they had the instigator—the reporter who had first stirred up trouble—cornered and apprehended.

The man’s eyes filled with panic as he was caught, but he quickly shouted, “Miss Olsen is here!”

That single shout turned every reporter’s attention toward Keira, their eyes locking onto her like heat-seeking missiles.

The crowd surged forward, shouting questions.

“Miss Olsen, why are you defending a traitor?”

“Miss Olsen, you were raised abroad, right? Did someone get to you? Otherwise, why are you protecting him?”

“What’s your stance on this? Olsen Group’s shares have taken a nosedive because of you. Any comments?”

The more restrained journalists were the ones asking these questions, but the situation quickly deteriorated as a few enraged individuals began hurling insults:

“Traitor! You should just drop dead!”

“It’s disgrace to Crera with people like you running businesses here!”

“Defending a traitor—is this a family tradition of yours? And why isn’t Uncle Olsen coming out? Is he trying to protect you?”

Each accusation stoked the fire of the crowd’s anger.

Keira knew they were all being misled, but she couldn’t explain much at the moment. All she could do was keep a tight rein on her temper. “I’m sorry, but I’m not Miss Olsen. I have something urgent to—”

Her attempt to deflect was futile.

Those striking, almond-shaped eyes of hers were too distinct, too memorable.

Even before the captured reporter could respond, another journalist pointed at her and shouted, “You are Miss Olsen! Stop pretending—I’d recognize those eyes anywhere!”

“Such a pretty girl, and yet so heartless?”

Insults rained down, but Keira’s focus was on the man who tried to slip away. She tightened her grip on him and handed him over to Lewis, murmuring, “Take him outside and interrogate him.”

Lewis nodded without hesitation.

He knew where the priorities lay.

Keira might be facing an angry mob, but she wasn’t in any real danger. The crucial thing was to extract information from this guy.

With the suspect now in Lewis’s custody, Keira headed toward the stage. “Alright, since you’re all eager for answers, let me tell you…”

The reporters, predictably, followed her lead, crowding around the stage.

With the commotion shifting in her direction, Lewis seized the opportunity to drag the suspect outside.

As Keira took her place on stage, she noticed Lewis successfully making his exit and finally allowed herself to exhale in relief.

But that brief moment of relaxation was quickly misinterpreted by the reporters.

“Miss Olsen, what’s with the smirk? Are you planning to double down on your lies?”

“Miss Olsen, the Olsen Group has always operated under a banner of patriotism. Don’t you think you owe us an explanation?”

“Miss Olsen, you need to apologize!”

Keira narrowed her eyes at their demands.

She was just about to respond when a powerful voice cut through the clamor, “This press conference was called by me. So why are you harassing my daughter?”

Keira froze and turned to see Uncle Olsen striding forward, his steps full of purpose. He immediately positioned himself in front of Keira, shielding her from the crowd.

He swept a stern gaze over the gathered reporters.

His presence was so commanding that, for a moment, the room fell silent, the tension thick in the air.

But someone quickly found their voice.

“Uncle Olsen, if you’ve been here all along, why did you delay the conference?”

“Was it just to mess with us? What’s the real reason?”

“And what’s this about not harassing your daughter? Didn’t you disown her? So, why is she still your daughter?”

“You claimed to kick her out, but was that just a PR move to stabilize your stock prices? Now you’re showing your true colors, aren’t you?”

“Uncle Olsen, where have you been? Why did you make us wait for half an hour? We demand answers!”

Keira quickly stepped forward. “Anything you need to know will be addressed in half an hour… No, make that twenty-five minutes. For now, there are things we can’t reveal.”

The reporters pounced immediately: “Why can’t you reveal it?”

“What shady business are you hiding that you can’t tell us?”