Chapter 3

When it came to anything involving Emily, Julian always acted quickly.

Just hours after signing the divorce papers with me, he arranged a press conference and sent his assistant to invite me to attend and clarify things.

I hadn't even said a word yet.

The assistant thought I might refuse, but fortunately, he relayed Julian's message to me.

He said, "Ms. Buckley, you should attend this press conference. Even if it's not for Mr. Chapman, at least for your reputation."

I paused for a moment and then gave a cynical laugh.

Julian was threatening me.

He was trying to use the same tactics he had in my past life to force me into submission, to smear my name, and let me struggle under public opinion.

In the end, I would have no choice but to give in.

I still couldn't figure out whether Julian saw me as his wife or as his enemy...

Now, he wanted to publicly clarify his relationship with me.

I had no choice either.

The press conference was held in the grand lobby of Jymara's most luxurious hotel, with only the most influential reporters invited.

When Emily appeared in a dress, arm-in-arm with Julian, the reporters swarmed them.

Julian instinctively shielded Emily, stepping in front of her to block the microphones with a smile. "I'll answer all your questions one by one. Please give us some space."

His voice was gentle, and as he looked up, he happened to meet my eyes. I was surrounded by reporters.

At that moment, I actually hoped Julian would step in and help me out of this situation.

But the next second...

He calmly shifted his gaze away, his smile still present as he held Emily's hand and walked onto the stage as if he hadn't seen me at all.

I gave a bitter laugh.

The reporter closest to me seemed to be an intern, nervously handing me the microphone and asking.

"Ms. Buckley, is it true that you're divorced from Mr. Chapman?"

"Yes," I smiled and nodded in response.

The intern adjusted her glasses. "But you met Mr. Chapman in high school, dated for seven years, and were married for five.

"Mr. Chapman even bought you an island last month, spending a fortune, and named it after you."

I kept smiling, but it was not a warm one.

"That's what he owes me."

To make up for missing my birthday while caring for the sick Emily, he gave me that gift.

In my past life, I had even felt proud of that gesture, only to later learn that the idea was Arthur's, the island was picked by Julian's assistant, and Julian didn't even know where it was.

"Do you still love Mr. Chapman?"

She looked at me nervously, and the reporters around me fell silent. Even Julian, on stage, looked at me.

His brows furrowed slightly.

I met his gaze for a moment and then smiled and said, "Not anymore."