(Quinn corporate group)
"Mr. Quinn, you owe us an explanation. Our shares dropped 8% overnight!" One of the shareholders, who had a bald head and looked around the early fifties said grumpily.
Adrian sat leg-crossed in the main chair in the meeting room.
He glanced at the shareholders, who had a worried expression.
"You have always kept a clean image. Who would have thought it would get damaged in a matter of seconds?" Another voiced his displeasure.
Yet, Adrian didn't utter a word.
His eyes were as cold and sharp as blades, deep down he wondered if this was the right time to clean the house.
"Mr. Quinn, do you realize what this scandal has done?" Another said, slamming his hand on the table.
"We invested in your untouchable image, and now the internet calls you the 'fallen bachelor.'"
Adrian's eyes darkened, he loosened his tie, and his jaws clenched tightly.
"Derek," Adrian called out.
His secretary walked beside. "Yes, boss."
"Have you contacted all the media? If there is any more news about this incident, they'll face my wrath." He said calmly.
Derek nodded his head and went outside the meeting room to make some calls.
Adrian cleared his throat. "I'm quite surprised the reason you invested in my company was because of my image." He chuckled. "I thought it was because the company is number one in the country." He relaxed his back on his chair.
The shareholders looked at one another with a knowing look.
"Mr. Quinn, what we mean is our shares are taking the hit because of your scandal." One of them said bluntly.
"Is that so?" Adrian smirked, his eyes fixated on the shareholder.
Murmurs broke out around the table. Some shareholders slammed their tablets down, and others frantically refreshed stock tickers.
A few of them exchanged nervous glances, whispering about emergency press releases. The room smelled of sweat and tension, a far cry from the calm Adrian demanded.
Before he could part his lips to continue talking, the door burst open. Derek hurried to him and whispered in his ear.
"What!" Adrian rose to his feet. His brows furrowed dangerously. "Let me see the news."
Derek brought out his tabloid and showed it to Adrian. On the news were multiple reporters surrounding a girl with a small frame.
She wore a tailored milk suit and a pair of trousers, she wore pearls to accompany the look. Her hair cascaded down her back.
"I apologize for causing trouble… I didn't mean to cause any trouble." She said with her head bowed sobbing.
"Who is that?" Adrian asked, though he had an idea who it was, he couldn't bring himself to believe it.
Derek remained quiet, afraid for his life.
The other shareholders brought out their phones, watching the news.
"How do you feel knowing you have become famous for kissing Mr. Quinn?" One of the reporters asked.
"I didn't mean to do it… I was drunk and he looked… so stunning." She muttered, biting her lower lip.
The shareholders gasp hearing her words, while Adrian's nails dug into his palm. He felt like breaking something.
"But Miss. Red dress, don't you know that is an assault?" Another reporter asked.
Snow rose her head up, her makeup smudged over her face, she looked like a joker in a circus. The reporters bit their lips to stop themselves from bursting into a fit of laughter.
"How is it an assault when the person in question is my husband?" She blinked innocently at them.
Everything went silent for a moment. The reporters stared at her like she had gone crazy.
Then, gasps rippled through the crowd as if the words were registering in their heads. A few reporters exchanged stunned looks, while others scribbled furiously, eyes gleaming at the headline gold they'd just been handed.
Cameras zoomed in closer, capturing every wobble of her lips and every tear clinging to her lashes.
"Wife? Can you stop fabricating stories… we all know how Mr. Quinn is known as the most desirable bachelor in the country, and you are spinning lies. Do you know you can get sued for defamation?" A female reporter snapped at her.
Snow's lips stretched downward, she sobbed. "He really is my husband. We have been married for a week now…" Sob. "We decided to keep silent for now, but I ruined it when I got drunk, and went to the charity event." She pitifully wiped her tears away.
"Are you married?" Derek bit his lips in regret immediately after the word left his lips.
"Married? When did you see me get married?!" He slammed his hand on the table, seething with fury.
"What a venomous lady! I can't believe she had the guts to spin lies after assaulting me last night." Adrian muttered under his breath.
He turned to Derek. "Call the police, I want to see her behind bars."
"Yes, boss." Derek stepped out of the room. While Adrian continued watching the news.
Adrian's chest tightened as he watched her sob on screen. Every fake tear clawed at his nerves. The more pitiful she looked, the louder the reporters leaned in, and the more suffocating his fury became.
His reputation, built over years, was unraveling in minutes at the hands of a stranger who dared to call herself his wife.
"What evidence do you have to show to support your claim?" A male reporter pushed his mic closer to her lips.
"Evidence?" Snow tilted her head.
"Yes, evidence."
Snow covered her mouth delicately with her fingers. She sniffled, crying. "Will this affect the image of my husband?" Worry marred her face.
"No it will not."
Hearing their words, she reached into her bag, searching for the evidence.
Adrian leaned closer into the tabloid, as if he was about to enter it. His fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
Snow brought out a marriage certificate. "Here is my evidence."