MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

"I have a better plan," Joshua looked at her profoundly, "But I need your approval."

"What's the plan?" Hazel hurriedly asked.

"We can give a reasonable statement to kill the rumor of a shady deal." Joshua's eyes flickered, "The best way is to give a story that everyone can accept. For example,…"

Hazel looked at him quietly.

"We had known each other long ago, and we fell in love, but we were separated for some reason. And we meet again in the surrogacy competition, and we are now together again." Joshua stared at Hazel.

Hazel's face changed.

She suddenly thought about the news that she saw on the Internet.

The media said that the message of a shady deal in the surrogacy competition came out of Denmark Group.

"Joshua is the president of Denmark Group. How can he allow such a thing to come out?"

Unless...he arranged that to happen.

Hazel suddenly felt cold. She clenched her fists and tried to keep herself calm.

"The story of the President and Cinderella meeting again after a long time?" Hazel said, "It's true that the so-called shady deal can be covered up, but what's next?"

Hazel stared at him, "In a short time, the media will not let us go. What are you going to do?"

"Hazel, let's be together," Joshua quickly said to ease her.

Her heart sank completely.

Did Joshua plan all these?

Did he pull all these strings just to tie her up in this way?

She turned him down yesterday, then later at night, the media exploded with information about her, and when she fled her dorm, he found her.

This was all too coincidental. If he was behind all this, then everything made sense.

Joshua had always been such an impenetrable person. He has the intelligence and the means to do these things.

"You don't hate me, do you?" He whispered, "Let's try to be together..."

"No!" Hazel abruptly interrupted him. Her intense reaction made Joshua panic.

"I don't hate you, but it doesn't mean I like you!" Hazel said coldly, "And I said I would never change my decision! If you can help me out with this, I'll be grateful to you. If you don't, I can just get expelled from the university and go home! But I'm not going to be with you because you helped me!"

Joshua frowned. He did not see that coming.

What did he say wrong?

"Hazel, I'm not going to blackmail you into helping." He looked at her gloomily, "Tell me, what the hell did you misunderstand about me? What made you resist me so much? Am I really that bad in your perspective?"

"There's no misunderstanding." Hazel exasperated, "I got in this trouble because I met you! What am I facing if we are together? You are Prince Charming, and I'm just Cinderella to take all the blame! "

"You don't have to worry," Joshua said, "I will deal with it..."

"You don't understand!" Hazel interrupted him furiously, "I don't need your protection. I want freedom! I only need you not to disturb my life. And only by leaving will my life return to normal. I will live happily ever after!"

Joshua was shaking. A trace of pain flashed in his eyes. Why did Hazel disgust him so much?

"Do you really think so?" He asked.

"Yes!" Hazel said firmly.

"I see." Joshua looked inconsolable. His eyes scanned the picture on the table. His heart held nothing but bitterness, "Hazel, whatever you want, I'll give it to you. I just want to see you happy, that's all,"

Joshua turned and walked out of the room. Hazel watched him leave, somewhat stunned.

Did he just...let her go?

Hazel was confused and absolutely stunned. She quickly went after him, but before she could catch him, he drove away.

"Hazel, breakfast is ready." Nanny Carter said kindly.

Hazel asked, "Nanny Carter, do you know where Joshua is going?"

"I don't know. Maybe he is busy with something."

Hazel was silent.

***

As the car stopped, Joshua got out. Jaxson welcomed him.

"Mr. President, where is Miss Crowe?" Jaxson asked in surprise.

"She didn't come." Joshua asked, "Are the reporters all here?"

Jaxson had already received a message from Joshua, knowing that he planned to open a press conference with Hazel to explain the so-called shady deal in the surrogacy competition.

But now he had informed the major media of the scene, and Hazel actually did not come!

Was there something wrong?

"The reporters have arrived," Jaxson said quickly. "Maybe I should tell them to come back tomorrow?"

"No," Joshua said calmly. "Let's go in."

"But..." Jaxson looked at him anxiously. Seeing that Joshua was approaching the hall, Jaxson followed him.

All the reporters were huddled in the hall, and they never thought that Joshua would personally hold a press conference to explain the surrogacy competition.

This was the first time Joshua appeared in public view.

For the past years,  only Denmark Group's PR team leader always appeared at every press conference to answer any news related to the company. What had happened that actually brought Joshua to come forward personally?

The anticipation of what Joshua would say when he took the stage was all the reporters discussed.

"Master Denmark, about the shady deal in this surrogate competition..."

"Master Denmark, what is your relationship with Hazel?"

***

The reporters in front of the stage yelled questions in total disarray.

Joshua raised his hand slightly, and everyone gradually calmed down.

"I know you have a lot of questions to ask," Joshua started, "But before you ask questions, I will explain everything clearly."

Joshua nodded to Jaxson. Jaxson pressed the button. A huge photo of Hazel was displayed on the large screen behind Joshua.

"This is Hazel, I want to clarify a few things first." Joshua calmly looked at the screen.

He pointed at the photos and explained one by one, "This photo, she is sitting in my car. This one, she is my assistant's car. And, of course, I arranged for my assistant to pick her up."

He went on to explain, "As for this one, she is in Isaac's car. At the time, the three of us were eating together. I had to leave in a hurry, so I asked Isaac to help by driving her back..."