The moment Martin Riley saw the video, he knew it was Crystal Foster's doing. After all, she was there when Hyland Riley accompanied Stella for her check-up. But what puzzled him was why she would do such a thing.
Martin couldn't figure it out, but that didn't stop him from adding fuel to the fire. "Henry, get more online influencers. I want this to be the top three trending topics."
Henry nodded, accepting his fate. "Yes, sir. I'll get right on it."
"Wait, also make sure to grease the palms of the media. Don't they want to know how Hyland Riley will try to explain this away?"
"I think so too. They'll all want the scoop. But the space outside the company is limited. If they don't get there early, the good spots will be taken," Henry replied with a smile. "I'll go handle these things now. Here are the documents you need to sign today, and there's a meeting later."
---
Crystal Foster was well aware that the media had surrounded Hyland Riley's company. If she weren't worried about leaving Otto alone, she might have joined the spectacle.
"Mommy, you seem really happy today. Did something good happen?" Otto asked with a cheeky grin, looking up at Crystal with his round eyes that turned into crescents when he smiled.
Crystal tilted her head. "Mommy's in a good mood today, so I'm going to make you something delicious. What would you like to eat, sweetheart?"
"Cola chicken wings!" He had always wanted to drink cola, but Daddy wouldn't allow it, so he settled for cola chicken wings to satisfy his craving.
But could Mommy really make them? Otto gave Crystal a skeptical look, sighed like a little old man, and said, "It's okay, Mommy. If you can't make them, I'll eat something else. As long as you make it, I'll love anything."
Crystal Foster couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Otto's adorable face. She pinched his chubby cheeks before getting up and heading to the kitchen. "It's just cola chicken wings, sweetie. Mommy can make that. You go watch some cartoons, and it'll be ready soon."
Crystal used to be a pampered young lady who never lifted a finger in the kitchen. But she had started cooking for Hyland Riley, only to find out he was a jerk. Thinking about her past foolishness made Crystal want to slap herself. How could she have been so blind to his true nature?
But now, Hyland and Stella weren't having a great time either. The media camped outside Hyland's company and even found Stella's address. Reporters blatantly stood at her doorstep, cameras ready, waiting for her to come out.
Stella, already struggling with a difficult pregnancy, felt both scared and wronged by the situation. She kept calling Hyland, hoping he would come and chase the reporters away. But Hyland was overwhelmed, unable to even leave his office, let alone help her.More and more investors were pulling out, leaving Hyland stressed and desperate. He had no choice but to call his father, Martin Riley, for help. Unfortunately, the Riley Family had lost its influence, and Martin, displeased with Hyland's affair with Stella, was in no mood to assist him.
For days, Hyland couldn't eat or sleep well, and he looked noticeably worn out. Crystal couldn't help but laugh when she saw the photos in the media. But then she turned to see Otto deep in thought, looking as cute as ever.
"Otto, what are you thinking about?"
"Mommy, Uncle Fang said Daddy hasn't been sleeping well and has insomnia. I was wondering if there's something I can do to help him."
"Insomnia? That's easy to fix."
She could make some calming aromatherapy oils and spices, which were particularly effective for insomnia. During her stay here, Hyland Riley had been quite nice to her, so this would be a way to repay the kindness. However, she didn't have those ingredients at home, so she needed to go out to buy them.
When Otto heard she was going out, he immediately grabbed her sleeve, "Mommy, I want to go with you."
Seeing Otto's pitiful expression, Crystal Foster couldn't bring herself to refuse and agreed to take him along. For safety, she also brought the housemaid with them.
Crystal went to the herbal shop while the maid waited with Otto at a nearby mall. After gathering the herbs, Crystal was heading towards the mall entrance when she heard an angry shout behind her.
"Sylvia Byrne, you witch! Did you record that video?"
The voice was all too familiar to her, one she had heard for many years. Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone, opened the camera, and started taking pictures of Hyland Riley running towards her.
"I warn you to stay away from me, or with a click of my finger, these photos will be trending online again."
Hyland was nearly consumed by his fury, glaring intensely at Crystal. "Sylvia Byrne, I have no grudge against you. Why are you framing me?"
Crystal crossed her arms, calmly looking at the enraged Hyland. "Ha, I don't understand what you're talking about. When did I frame you? Slander is a crime, you know."
Hyland's face turned a deep shade of anger. "Can you deny that you didn't take that video? You were the only one there at the time!"
Crystal Foster rolled her eyes at him. "Looks like you not only have bad taste but also poor eyesight. There were so many people at the hospital. Why do you think it was me who took the photo? Do you have any proof? Besides, I have no grudge against you, so why would I do something like that to frame you?"
Her words made Hyland Riley hesitate. Crystal put on an innocent face, as if she truly knew nothing about it.
"Was it really not you?" Hyland asked.Crystal shrugged. "If you don't believe me, there's no point in me saying anything more. If you really think I did it, go ahead and find the evidence."
With that, Crystal walked away, not giving Hyland any time to respond. She picked up Otto and headed home to prepare some spices for Martin Riley. She even made a small sachet, which Otto slipped into Martin's suit pocket.
When Martin entered the bedroom, he noticed the scent in the room was different, but he didn't think much of it, assuming the housekeeper had changed it.
After his shower, he lay in bed, expecting another restless night. However, the new aroma gradually lulled him into a deep sleep. When he woke up, he felt refreshed, the fatigue of the past few days completely gone. He even slept in later than usual.
"Sir, breakfast is ready," the housekeeper announced as Martin came downstairs.
"I'm skipping breakfast. By the way, where did you get the new scent? Let's use it in the house from now on," Martin instructed before heading out. The housekeeper paused, muttering to herself, "Scent? I didn't change it. That was made by the missus."
Unfortunately, Martin was already gone and didn't hear her last words.