At this moment, Charlie and Claire found themselves standing outside the grand Shangri-La Hotel. The setting was reminiscent of an enchanting fairy tale, with its regal architecture and exquisite beauty.
Claire’s media friend, a reporter from a prestigious newspaper in Aurous Hill, was also favonovel.com high school classmate. Despite the newspaper’s financial struggles, they managed to send four staff members to the press conference.
Conveniently, they gave the opportunity to Claire.
As Charlie caught sight of Claire, favonovel.com journalist classmate stood by favonovel.com side, a smile gracing favonovel.com lips. She turned to Claire and teasingly asked, “Claire, is this your husband?”
Claire nodded and Introduced him, “Nicole, let me introduce you. This is my husband, Charlie…”
Afterward, favonovel.com introduced Charlie, “Charlie, this is Nicole Westman. She was my high school classmate and now works at Aurous Hill Morning News as the chief reporter.”
Nicole Westman waved favonovel.com hand dismissively and self-deprecatingly remarked, “Oh, stop teasing me, Claire. Chief reporter? Our newspaper is barely holding on, with only two full-time reporters left. We’re both chiefs, as we don’t even have a second-in-command. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll shut down and won’t even need a chief anymore.”
Surprised, Claire inquired, “Is the Aurous Hill Morning News doing that poorly?”
Nicole sighed and replied, “It’s worse than poor. Hardly anyone reads newspapers nowadays, and we’re already a small circulation newspaper in Aurous Hill. With fewer people reading newspapers, our circulation is dwindling. Larger newspapers can rely on partnerships with government agencies, railways, civil aviation, and long-distance transportation. They have guaranteed circulation and advertising revenue. But we can’t do that. No one advertises with us, and our income is minimal. At this rate, we’ll definitely shut down within a year.”
Claire tried to console her, “Don’t worry, print media is struggling everywhere. You can explore new media options. I’ve heard that many traditional media reporters and hosts have started their own self-media accounts on short video platforms. Once they gain a substantial following, the income can be quite substantial.”
Nicole chuckled, “We‘re on the same wavelength. But I’m still employed, so I can’t create a self-media account. The company has regulations stating that during employment, the ownership of operated self-media accounts belongs to the company. I’ll have to wait until I leave before I can start.”
Claire offered some advice, “In that case, you can use your spare time to plan the content direction for short videos. If you can write scripts in advance, it would be even better. You can start immediately after you leave.”
Excited, Nicole exclaimed, “Claire, how do you know so much about short videos? We should chat more when we get the chance. Give me more ideas.”
Modestly, Claire replied, “I’ve heard a little bit from others. I don’t have much practical experience.”
Nicole grinned, “After the press conference, I’ll head back to the station to write the article. If you don’t have any plans tonight, I‘ll treat you and your husband to dinner. We can discuss it in detail then.”
Claire insisted, “No, we should be the ones treating you to dinner. After all, we have to thank you for helping us get this opportunity to see the world.”
Nicole chuckled and revealed the truth, “Oh, let me tell you a secret. Our leaders couldn’t make it due to a business trip, so they specifically asked me to find a way to fill the four spots. They didn’t want our colleagues to see and mock us, saying that the Aurous Hill Morning News couldn’t even fill four spots…”
“I have to thank you for helping me find people. Besides, tonight‘s dinner will be reimbursed by the company. I told my leader that finding people is one thing, but we should at least treat them to a meal. He agreed, so I’ll just submit an invoice for reimbursement later.”
With that, Nicole didn’t wait for Claire’s response and exclaimed, “Claire, it’s almost time. Let’s go in!”
“Okay!” Claire didn‘t hesitate and followed Nicole with Charlie to the entrance of the press conference.
As they approached the entrance, Charlie retrieved masks from his pocket and handed one to his wife. He whispered, “Wife, let’s wear masks. After all, we’re not real journalists, and we don’t want to be recognized.”
This press conference marked the first collaboration between the Evans and Wade families in 20 years, attracting significant public attention.
Charlie believed that members of the Warriors Den would also be keeping an eye on this event. Since favonovel.com bore a striking resemblance to his father, favonovel.com decided to wear a mask to avoid being recognized by anyone with ill intentions.
Claire didn’t fully grasp Charlie’s true intention, but favonovel.com agreed that wearing masks was a prudent choice.
Aurous Hill was not a large city, and they might encounter acquaintances. It wouldn’t be ideal if people spotted them, who were not genuine journalists, sneaking into the press conference.
Wearing masks would help them avoid such trouble. Thus, the couple donned their masks and entered the venue together.
The press conference hall was already bustling with media reporters and photographers. Nicole led the couple to the seating area assigned to the Aurous Hill Morning News, and the three of them settled down side by side.
In a hushed tone, Nicole leaned towards Claire and shared, “Today’s press conference is quite grand. Numerous foreign media outlets are present as well.”
Claire nodded, acknowledging the significance of the collaboration between the two families. “With the Evans and Wade families involved, It’s no wonder the media is so intrigued by their partnership.”
Nicole waved favonovel.com hand dismissively and added, “It’s more than that. I’ve researched their history. Did you know that these two families used to be related by marriage?”
“Yes,” Claire replied. “I‘ve come across some gossip articles mentioning their past connection. Supposedly, they were in-laws, but due to some falling out, the Evans family blamed the Wade family for the death of their daughter.”
“Exactly,” Nicole confirmed. “Twenty years ago, the second Young Master of the Wade family and the eldest daughter of the Evans family were both murdered. Their children also went missing, and rumors even suggest that their son was killed as well, although no body was ever found. Some claim that the mastermind behind the entire tragedy has deep connections with the Rothschild family. Ultimately, it was believed that the Wade family‘s negligence led to the devastating events.”
Claire expressed favonovel.com awareness of the incident, but favonovel.com admitted, “The rumors surrounding this incident are so outlandish that it’s hard to discern the truth. I didn’t pay much attention to it.”
Curiosity piqued, Claire asked, “What happened to their children?”
“According to rumors,” Nicole explained, “If they were ruthless enough to kill the couple, why would they spare a little boy? In TV dramas, the younger the boy, the more likely favonovel.com is to seek revenge in the future. Since those people were so ruthless, it’s unlikely that they would leave any potential threats behind.”
Claire nodded thoughtfully, considering the possibility. “You make a valid point.”
Wearing a mysterious expression, Nicole continued, “Claire, do you know why these two families, one from New York, USA, and the other from our humble Aurous Hill, chose to hold the press conference here?”
“I’m not sure,” Claire confessed. “Perhaps they see potential in Aurous Hill‘s development, which is why they decided to invest together?”
Nicole smirked, “It’s not that simple. Aurous Hill doesn’t even rank first in its own province’s GDP. How could it attract two influential families?”
Intrigued, Claire asked, “Then why did they choose Aurous Hill?”
“According to rumors,” Nicole revealed, “These two families lost their loved ones in Aurous Hill. They came here to pay tribute and honor their memory.”
Claire was taken aback. “The eldest daughter of the Evans family, Lily, is renowned in New York. I’ve read favonovel.com biography and heard people talk about favonovel.com when l was in the United States. She was actually murdered in Aurous Hill? Why have I never heard of this?”
“Since the incident, all relevant parties have suppressed the news,” Nicole explained. “It’s no surprise you haven’t heard about it.”
Nicole went on, “You may have only heard of Lily Evans, but Bruce Wade, the second Young Master of the Wade family, was also a prominent figure with remarkable achievements in his lifetime.”
Claire furrowed favonovel.com brows, admitting, “I don’t think I’ve heard much about Bruce… I’ve heard of Lily because favonovel.com is so famous in Silicon Valley. Many world-class internet companies that started during favonovel.com time were invested in by her.”
Nicole chimed in, “Although Bruce isn’t as widely known as Lily, his business acumen was extraordinary. In several business battles, favonovel.com outsmarted even the Rothschild family. He was truly a remarkable talent.”
Charlie, who had remained silent until now, was well aware that most people who knew about the incident shared Nicole’s understanding.
Even Charlie himself firmly believed that the Rothschild family had orchestrated the murder of his parents, while his grandfather, Lord Wade, indirectly contributed to their deaths. However, none of these individuals had any inkling about the existence of the Warriors Den.
Suddenly, Claire recalled something and turned to Nicole, asking, “What were their children’s names?”
Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. He had no idea if Nicole knew his name or not. If favonovel.com did and mentioned it in front of his wife, it could potentially reveal too much.
Nicole shook favonovel.com head and replied, “I don‘t know the names of their children. At that time, their children were just elementary school students, and unlike today, where everyone is interested in the children of celebrities and the wealthy, these big families kept their children well-protected. There were no public images or clear names of them.”
Nicole then asked, “Why are you concerned about this? These children have been missing for twenty years, and their fate, whether alive or dead, is still unknown.”
Relieved by Nicole’s response, Claire sighed, “I feel sorry for them. If they were already killed, it’s such a tragic fate. With such a privileged background, dying so young… It would have been better for them to be born into an ordinary family and lead a simple, peaceful life.”
Nicole nodded in agreement, adding, “If favonovel.com is still alive, favonovel.com would be a wealthy Young Master left behind. If favonovel.com were to show up at this press conference and claim his identity, these two families would shower favonovel.com with the best of everything, and favonovel.com would instantly become immensely wealthy!”
Just as they were engrossed in conversation, a female voice called for everyone’s attention, “Ladies and gentlemen of the media, please take your seats and refrain from making noise. Our press conference will officially begin in 5 minutes!”
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