Chapter 120
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The murmur started when Lana was already halfway to the stage. Angela was staring daggers at her, still couldn't find any words.
"Isn't that ms. Winterbourne?" - Came a loud voice from one of the reporters. The other quickly caught up spreading it between themselves.
"OMG! That's really is her! I saw her on the Charity Ball! Such a beauty hard to forget!"
"What is she doing here?"
"Isn't she a bride of Mr. Wells?"
"What's going on?"
Everyone was puzzled and full of anticipation of a good show. But Lana took her time slowly coming to the stage, halted only one step away from dumbfounded Angela.
"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?!" - Lana spit in her face with scorn. Angela's face distorted in a grimace for a second. But she quickly took herself in hands and made a fearful expression stepping aside.
"How can you say something like this?" - She replied in a shocked voice. - "You of all should know that all this is the truth!"
Angela threw a sideways glance at the audience, checking for the reaction, but caught only hungry stares waiting for the cat-fight.
"The truth you say?!"- Lana growled lowly, the sound vibrating in the back of her throat. - " Like the one you tried to frame me with? I see you really like to make photomontage. Is that your hobby or what?"
The image on the main display swiftly changed and everyone saw a pamphlet that was going around the company just a few weeks ago. The reporters were puzzled, looking through the new scoop. Those who belonged to the company already seen it but still were curious about the culprit.
And as if not to disappoint them the image quickly changed first to Angela, handing the prints over to the seven girls, who were now standing all proud and indignant by her side. And then to them sneakily spreading it throughout the corporation.
It was worth to see their faces, so swiftly changing from a blank and puzzled expression to the pure horror.
Lana looked around the room as if challenging at least anyone to oppose her in this. But the audience fell silent, not knowing how to take this information.
" As you all guessed, I am Ruslana Winterbourne." - proclaimed Lana in a firm voice that spread to all the corners of the room. - "But at this point, this woman didn't know this insignificant fact. She tried to frame me, as you all can see, calling me a prostitute, a golddigger and others dirty name that my upbringing doesn't let me say out loud."
Gradually the shushed voices started to make a buzzing around the crowd. But Lana didn't let them go too deep into their assumptions.
"Yes, I left my wealthy family a long time ago and decided to stand on my own two feet after a failed marriage, without running back home for help. That's why this ... person thought that I am a weak prey for bulling. She was jealous of our relationship with Greg that she never had! She lied to all of you about the proposal, about their dating. Did Mr. Wells ever state anything like this?" - Lana asked looking around. Reporters started to turn left and right, searching for at least someone who can prove otherwise.
"No! I never did!" - came a strong male voice from the doors.
Greg sauntered into the room, drawing all the eyes to his figure. He came onto the stage and stopped behind Lana's back, as if he was just her wingman, giving her room for action. Lana threw a glance at his and, seeing his glimmering eyes, chuckled.
" So as you can see, this woman already has the record of manipulating current information in her favor." - She continued, moving forward. - "Would you really believe such a person after she put together a bunch of photos from the time Greg served his duty in the army and some shady and questionable material?"
"But it looks quite genuine to me." - Carefully voiced out one of the reporters in the back raws. The buzzing started again.
But all the rackets instantly disappeared as a room was filled with a sound of some voice recording playing on full volume.
" Did you get those photos?" - everyone heard a female voice, in which they could recognize the main heroine today.
"Yea, don't know why you need them though. But here. That all I could gather from our time in the military." - Male voice returned. Only a few people from the company knew the deputy director of the security department. But this news spread around like fire.
"Good. Don't worry. You'll get what you want today in the evening. After I destroy this jerk and everything that he ever cared for!" - The woman's voice was full of acid. And many shivered hearing it, not expecting such a menacing tone from this gentle girl.
"Hehe, you one scary woman, Angela. Dealing with terrorists. Stealing from the company, even using your dad to cover your dirty deeds. Can you even sleep peacefully at night?" -mocked the man.
" I sleep just fine! I'm a businesswoman. And not some spineless sissy as Greg. I know perfectly well, that if some brainless apes want to kill each other, they will find a way to buy a gun. Stepping into the defense field, you can't keep acting like goody-two-shoes. Either you are selling to everyone, who wants to buy, or you're out of it."
The last words fell into the pool of silence spreading through the room. The images on display kept changing, showing Angela in all kind of setting. At some gang place, showing some ammo to the dangerous looking guys. In the middle of the night, leading some workers to the company warehouse and secretly taking away a whole bunch of boxes, labeled as WGARM's property.
"Stop it!" - suddenly yelled general Leib, rushing in Greg direction.
Greg instantly pulled Lana behind his back, even though she tried to resist. But Frank was there first. He caught the old man over the shoulder, throwing him at the floor and twisting his hand behind. The general struggled, trying to free himself, but it was pointless. So he could only trash about, cursing like a madman.
"Dad?" - Squeezed out Angela, finally coming to herself. Her face was pale and utterly blank. She looked around the room, trying to find at least some support. But her girls already disappeared from the scene. Reporters were furiously snapping the pictures, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Why are you sitting here?" - she shouted in a hysterical tone. - "Don't you see? It's all a lie! It's their plot!"
But nobody moved to help.
" It's nobody's faults but your own." - came Lana's steady voice. - "You were so high and mighty, calling everyone else apes. But you're the only brainless, greedy beast in this room. Have at least some shame to admit your wrongdoings!"
At this moment the general with a roar twisted out of Frank's grip and slamming his fist into the big guy's stomach, sprung to his feet. The old guy whirled around and, finding Greg with his bloodshot eyes, charged at him like a raging bull. The long knife gleamed in his palm.
The expression on Gregory's face didn't change much, as if he was watching the attack in slow motion. One step forward, and he blocked the general's fist with a knife, turned and slammed his elbow in the old man's face with full force. The sickening cracking sound of broken bones made everyone wince.
"NO!" - A piercing scream slashed at the eardrum. Greg turned but was too late to react. Angela rushed at Lana in full speed. They were standing quite far from each other, but there was no way for Greg to make it in time.
However in the next moment, an unexpected happened. In the middle of the movement the crazy girl's face blanched, she stumbled and fell to the floor. Nobody could understand what caused it as Lana was standing still with her back to the audience. As if Angela just slammed into an invisible wall and tripped on her own.
Greg guessing the situation reached Ruslana first, covering his girl's half-transformed face from the side. Lana smile widened almost splitting her face in half. She licked her fangs, staring at Angela with her beastly eyes as on a juicy piece of meat.
The girl on the floor opened her mouth in a silent cry, her face distorting in pure horror. And at that exact moment, a wolf's howling blew over the room, starting everyone.
"Oh! Sorry, that's my phone." - announced Lana, in a calm voice, shifting her face back in a second and turning around.
"Such a stupid ringtone!" - she complained, turning it off.
"I like it though!" - Chimed in Tony, coming closer and secretly sticking his phone back to the pocket. He looked at Angela, who was sitting in an awkward position, trying to cover herself with trembling hands. A smelly puddle was already spreading around her.
"Oh My! Angela, sweety, you just pooped the reputation of this gorgeous Prada dress!" - Tony sighed in a tone full of regret. - " Such a shame!"
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The murmur started when Lana was already halfway to the stage. Angela was staring daggers at her, still couldn't find any words.
"Isn't that ms. Winterbourne?" - Came a loud voice from one of the reporters. The other quickly caught up spreading it between themselves.
"OMG! That's really is her! I saw her on the Charity Ball! Such a beauty hard to forget!"
"What is she doing here?"
"Isn't she a bride of Mr. Wells?"
"What's going on?"
Everyone was puzzled and full of anticipation of a good show. But Lana took her time slowly coming to the stage, halted only one step away from dumbfounded Angela.
"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?!" - Lana spit in her face with scorn. Angela's face distorted in a grimace for a second. But she quickly took herself in hands and made a fearful expression stepping aside.
"How can you say something like this?" - She replied in a shocked voice. - "You of all should know that all this is the truth!"
Angela threw a sideways glance at the audience, checking for the reaction, but caught only hungry stares waiting for the cat-fight.
"The truth you say?!"- Lana growled lowly, the sound vibrating in the back of her throat. - " Like the one you tried to frame me with? I see you really like to make photomontage. Is that your hobby or what?"
The image on the main display swiftly changed and everyone saw a pamphlet that was going around the company just a few weeks ago. The reporters were puzzled, looking through the new scoop. Those who belonged to the company already seen it but still were curious about the culprit.
And as if not to disappoint them the image quickly changed first to Angela, handing the prints over to the seven girls, who were now standing all proud and indignant by her side. And then to them sneakily spreading it throughout the corporation.
It was worth to see their faces, so swiftly changing from a blank and puzzled expression to the pure horror.
Lana looked around the room as if challenging at least anyone to oppose her in this. But the audience fell silent, not knowing how to take this information.
" As you all guessed, I am Ruslana Winterbourne." - proclaimed Lana in a firm voice that spread to all the corners of the room. - "But at this point, this woman didn't know this insignificant fact. She tried to frame me, as you all can see, calling me a prostitute, a golddigger and others dirty name that my upbringing doesn't let me say out loud."
Gradually the shushed voices started to make a buzzing around the crowd. But Lana didn't let them go too deep into their assumptions.
"Yes, I left my wealthy family a long time ago and decided to stand on my own two feet after a failed marriage, without running back home for help. That's why this ... person thought that I am a weak prey for bulling. She was jealous of our relationship with Greg that she never had! She lied to all of you about the proposal, about their dating. Did Mr. Wells ever state anything like this?" - Lana asked looking around. Reporters started to turn left and right, searching for at least someone who can prove otherwise.
"No! I never did!" - came a strong male voice from the doors.
Greg sauntered into the room, drawing all the eyes to his figure. He came onto the stage and stopped behind Lana's back, as if he was just her wingman, giving her room for action. Lana threw a glance at his and, seeing his glimmering eyes, chuckled.
" So as you can see, this woman already has the record of manipulating current information in her favor." - She continued, moving forward. - "Would you really believe such a person after she put together a bunch of photos from the time Greg served his duty in the army and some shady and questionable material?"
"But it looks quite genuine to me." - Carefully voiced out one of the reporters in the back raws. The buzzing started again.
But all the rackets instantly disappeared as a room was filled with a sound of some voice recording playing on full volume.
" Did you get those photos?" - everyone heard a female voice, in which they could recognize the main heroine today.
"Yea, don't know why you need them though. But here. That all I could gather from our time in the military." - Male voice returned. Only a few people from the company knew the deputy director of the security department. But this news spread around like fire.
"Good. Don't worry. You'll get what you want today in the evening. After I destroy this jerk and everything that he ever cared for!" - The woman's voice was full of acid. And many shivered hearing it, not expecting such a menacing tone from this gentle girl.
"Hehe, you one scary woman, Angela. Dealing with terrorists. Stealing from the company, even using your dad to cover your dirty deeds. Can you even sleep peacefully at night?" -mocked the man.
" I sleep just fine! I'm a businesswoman. And not some spineless sissy as Greg. I know perfectly well, that if some brainless apes want to kill each other, they will find a way to buy a gun. Stepping into the defense field, you can't keep acting like goody-two-shoes. Either you are selling to everyone, who wants to buy, or you're out of it."
The last words fell into the pool of silence spreading through the room. The images on display kept changing, showing Angela in all kind of setting. At some gang place, showing some ammo to the dangerous looking guys. In the middle of the night, leading some workers to the company warehouse and secretly taking away a whole bunch of boxes, labeled as WGARM's property.
"Stop it!" - suddenly yelled general Leib, rushing in Greg direction.
Greg instantly pulled Lana behind his back, even though she tried to resist. But Frank was there first. He caught the old man over the shoulder, throwing him at the floor and twisting his hand behind. The general struggled, trying to free himself, but it was pointless. So he could only trash about, cursing like a madman.
"Dad?" - Squeezed out Angela, finally coming to herself. Her face was pale and utterly blank. She looked around the room, trying to find at least some support. But her girls already disappeared from the scene. Reporters were furiously snapping the pictures, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Why are you sitting here?" - she shouted in a hysterical tone. - "Don't you see? It's all a lie! It's their plot!"
But nobody moved to help.
" It's nobody's faults but your own." - came Lana's steady voice. - "You were so high and mighty, calling everyone else apes. But you're the only brainless, greedy beast in this room. Have at least some shame to admit your wrongdoings!"
At this moment the general with a roar twisted out of Frank's grip and slamming his fist into the big guy's stomach, sprung to his feet. The old guy whirled around and, finding Greg with his bloodshot eyes, charged at him like a raging bull. The long knife gleamed in his palm.
The expression on Gregory's face didn't change much, as if he was watching the attack in slow motion. One step forward, and he blocked the general's fist with a knife, turned and slammed his elbow in the old man's face with full force. The sickening cracking sound of broken bones made everyone wince.
"NO!" - A piercing scream slashed at the eardrum. Greg turned but was too late to react. Angela rushed at Lana in full speed. They were standing quite far from each other, but there was no way for Greg to make it in time.
However in the next moment, an unexpected happened. In the middle of the movement the crazy girl's face blanched, she stumbled and fell to the floor. Nobody could understand what caused it as Lana was standing still with her back to the audience. As if Angela just slammed into an invisible wall and tripped on her own.
Greg guessing the situation reached Ruslana first, covering his girl's half-transformed face from the side. Lana smile widened almost splitting her face in half. She licked her fangs, staring at Angela with her beastly eyes as on a juicy piece of meat.
The girl on the floor opened her mouth in a silent cry, her face distorting in pure horror. And at that exact moment, a wolf's howling blew over the room, starting everyone.
"Oh! Sorry, that's my phone." - announced Lana, in a calm voice, shifting her face back in a second and turning around.
"Such a stupid ringtone!" - she complained, turning it off.
"I like it though!" - Chimed in Tony, coming closer and secretly sticking his phone back to the pocket. He looked at Angela, who was sitting in an awkward position, trying to cover herself with trembling hands. A smelly puddle was already spreading around her.
"Oh My! Angela, sweety, you just pooped the reputation of this gorgeous Prada dress!" - Tony sighed in a tone full of regret. - " Such a shame!"
The murmur started when Lana was already halfway to the stage. Angela was staring daggers at her, still couldn't find any words."Isn't that ms. Winterbourne?" - Came a loud voice from one of the reporters. The other quickly caught up spreading it between themselves."OMG! That's really is her! I saw her on the Charity Ball! Such a beauty hard to forget!""What is she doing here?""Isn't she a bride of Mr. Wells?""What's going on?"Everyone was puzzled and full of anticipation of a good show. But Lana took her time slowly coming to the stage, halted only one step away from dumbfounded Angela."Aren't you ashamed of yourself?!" - Lana spit in her face with scorn. Angela's face distorted in a grimace for a second. But she quickly took herself in hands and made a fearful expression stepping aside. "How can you say something like this?" - She replied in a shocked voice. - "You of all should know that all this is the truth!"Angela threw a sideways glance at the audience, checking for the reaction, but caught only hungry stares waiting for the cat-fight. "The truth you say?!"- Lana growled lowly, the sound vibrating in the back of her throat. - " Like the one you tried to frame me with? I see you really like to make photomontage. Is that your hobby or what?"The image on the main display swiftly changed and everyone saw a pamphlet that was going around the company just a few weeks ago. The reporters were puzzled, looking through the new scoop. Those who belonged to the company already seen it but still were curious about the culprit. And as if not to disappoint them the image quickly changed first to Angela, handing the prints over to the seven girls, who were now standing all proud and indignant by her side. And then to them sneakily spreading it throughout the corporation.It was worth to see their faces, so swiftly changing from a blank and puzzled expression to the pure horror.Lana looked around the room as if challenging at least anyone to oppose her in this. But the audience fell silent, not knowing how to take this information." As you all guessed, I am Ruslana Winterbourne." - proclaimed Lana in a firm voice that spread to all the corners of the room. - "But at this point, this woman didn't know this insignificant fact. She tried to frame me, as you all can see, calling me a prostitute, a golddigger and others dirty name that my upbringing doesn't let me say out loud." Gradually the shushed voices started to make a buzzing around the crowd. But Lana didn't let them go too deep into their assumptions."Yes, I left my wealthy family a long time ago and decided to stand on my own two feet after a failed marriage, without running back home for help. That's why this ... person thought that I am a weak prey for bulling. She was jealous of our relationship with Greg that she never had! She lied to all of you about the proposal, about their dating. Did Mr. Wells ever state anything like this?" - Lana asked looking around. Reporters started to turn left and right, searching for at least someone who can prove otherwise. "No! I never did!" - came a strong male voice from the doors. Greg sauntered into the room, drawing all the eyes to his figure. He came onto the stage and stopped behind Lana's back, as if he was just her wingman, giving her room for action. Lana threw a glance at his and, seeing his glimmering eyes, chuckled." So as you can see, this woman already has the record of manipulating current information in her favor." - She continued, moving forward. - "Would you really believe such a person after she put together a bunch of photos from the time Greg served his duty in the army and some shady and questionable material?""But it looks quite genuine to me." - Carefully voiced out one of the reporters in the back raws. The buzzing started again.But all the rackets instantly disappeared as a room was filled with a sound of some voice recording playing on full volume." Did you get those photos?" - everyone heard a female voice, in which they could recognize the main heroine today."Yea, don't know why you need them though. But here. That all I could gather from our time in the military." - Male voice returned. Only a few people from the company knew the deputy director of the security department. But this news spread around like fire. "Good. Don't worry. You'll get what you want today in the evening. After I destroy this jerk and everything that he ever cared for!" - The woman's voice was full of acid. And many shivered hearing it, not expecting such a menacing tone from this gentle girl."Hehe, you one scary woman, Angela. Dealing with terrorists. Stealing from the company, even using your dad to cover your dirty deeds. Can you even sleep peacefully at night?" -mocked the man." I sleep just fine! I'm a businesswoman. And not some spineless sissy as Greg. I know perfectly well, that if some brainless apes want to kill each other, they will find a way to buy a gun. Stepping into the defense field, you can't keep acting like goody-two-shoes. Either you are selling to everyone, who wants to buy, or you're out of it."The last words fell into the pool of silence spreading through the room. The images on display kept changing, showing Angela in all kind of setting. At some gang place, showing some ammo to the dangerous looking guys. In the middle of the night, leading some workers to the company warehouse and secretly taking away a whole bunch of boxes, labeled as WGARM's property. "Stop it!" - suddenly yelled general Leib, rushing in Greg direction. Greg instantly pulled Lana behind his back, even though she tried to resist. But Frank was there first. He caught the old man over the shoulder, throwing him at the floor and twisting his hand behind. The general struggled, trying to free himself, but it was pointless. So he could only trash about, cursing like a madman."Dad?" - Squeezed out Angela, finally coming to herself. Her face was pale and utterly blank. She looked around the room, trying to find at least some support. But her girls already disappeared from the scene. Reporters were furiously snapping the pictures, their eyes gleaming with excitement."Why are you sitting here?" - she shouted in a hysterical tone. - "Don't you see? It's all a lie! It's their plot!"But nobody moved to help. " It's nobody's faults but your own." - came Lana's steady voice. - "You were so high and mighty, calling everyone else apes. But you're the only brainless, greedy beast in this room. Have at least some shame to admit your wrongdoings!" At this moment the general with a roar twisted out of Frank's grip and slamming his fist into the big guy's stomach, sprung to his feet. The old guy whirled around and, finding Greg with his bloodshot eyes, charged at him like a raging bull. The long knife gleamed in his palm.The expression on Gregory's face didn't change much, as if he was watching the attack in slow motion. One step forward, and he blocked the general's fist with a knife, turned and slammed his elbow in the old man's face with full force. The sickening cracking sound of broken bones made everyone wince. "NO!" - A piercing scream slashed at the eardrum. Greg turned but was too late to react. Angela rushed at Lana in full speed. They were standing quite far from each other, but there was no way for Greg to make it in time. However in the next moment, an unexpected happened. In the middle of the movement the crazy girl's face blanched, she stumbled and fell to the floor. Nobody could understand what caused it as Lana was standing still with her back to the audience. As if Angela just slammed into an invisible wall and tripped on her own.Greg guessing the situation reached Ruslana first, covering his girl's half-transformed face from the side. Lana smile widened almost splitting her face in half. She licked her fangs, staring at Angela with her beastly eyes as on a juicy piece of meat.The girl on the floor opened her mouth in a silent cry, her face distorting in pure horror. And at that exact moment, a wolf's howling blew over the room, starting everyone."Oh! Sorry, that's my phone." - announced Lana, in a calm voice, shifting her face back in a second and turning around. "Such a stupid ringtone!" - she complained, turning it off."I like it though!" - Chimed in Tony, coming closer and secretly sticking his phone back to the pocket. He looked at Angela, who was sitting in an awkward position, trying to cover herself with trembling hands. A smelly puddle was already spreading around her."Oh My! Angela, sweety, you just pooped the reputation of this gorgeous Prada dress!" - Tony sighed in a tone full of regret. - " Such a shame!"
