36
"Just let me know if my mom is bothering you," William said.
Linda laughed. "And what good would that do? When she was abducted four years ago, didn't you immediately think I was behind it?"
The mention of the incident from four years ago made William's expression harden. "I misunderstood you
back then. I'm sorry, Linda-"
"That's enough," Linda interrupted sharply. "If a simple 'sorry' could erase the pain I've been through these
past four years and make up for all the suffering, I might as well be dead.
"William, I loved you for over a decade. During our four years of marriage, I dreamed countless times that you'd remember I was the one who saved you back then, but you never did. "Again and again, you took my words as attempts to manipulate you and treated my sincerity like dirt, trampling it underfoot.
"I remember it all clearly. I didn't return for revenge, and I have no plans to do anything to you.
"The years I spent loving you were my own foolish choice. The hardship I went through was what I
deserved.
"Saying sorry now doesn't make up for the past. Everything was too late by the time you remembered. Our relationship already ended on that winter day four years ago, amid that intense blaze." Linda sniffled, unsure whether it was due to her feelings or the breeze. "William, whatever you do now
means nothing to me. I wish you well, but I'm not accepting your apology."
She looked him straight in the eye while William stood there, dumbfounded. "Linda, I really didn't know about those things back then..."
"It doesn't matter now if you knew or not. It's all in the past."
Her love for him was gone, and he no longer mattered. Everything would eventually be forgotten. Linda
turned and walked away from him.
"Whether you accept it, I'll always care about you," William said,
"Do as you please.
It came to light that Vera had deliberately set out to create a scene at the gala. A video came out, showing Linda breaking Vera's finger.
The online community, which had once been sympathetic to Linda, now harshly criticized her again. Linda remained indifferent. She wasn't bothered by the negative comments from people online. However, William acted differently. He immediately released the full footage from that night and filed a defamation lawsuit. He also warned that he'd take serious action if similar issues arose again. Chapter 36
He had been acting erratically since Linda's return.
Linda ignored that, too, seeing it as his way to make himself feel better.
Linda and Samson were in the vice president's office, watching the live broadcast of Wilson Group's pressConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
conference.
Itching for information about the incident, the reporters were doing everything they could to pry details from William. Cameras of every kind focused intently on his face, which looked like a masterpiece chiseled by the finest sculptor.
"They're definitely asking questions about you," Samson said.
"So
what?" Linda replied dismissively.
"They're trying to take advantage of your popularity."
"True. We have an event next week, too," Linda said earnestly.
Samson couldn't help but be both amused and exasperated. They were on completely different pages.
At the press conference, reporters bombarded William with a slew of questions.
"Mr. Wilson, when you referred to Ms. Clinton as a 'lapdog,' were you serious or was it just said out of
frustration?"
"Do you still have lingering feelings for your ex-wife, Mr. Wilson?"
"Mr. Wilson, you've frequently defended Ms. Linda Felix. Aren't you concerned that your fiancée might be upset by your continued loyalty to your ex-wife?"
William looked directly into the camera and stated, "I'll support Linda Felix as long as I'm alive."