Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 135

The press conference was held at a mid-range hotel.

Isabel arrived early, carrying the data and drug samples, and waited.

Staff were bustling about in the main hall.

Amanda kept her company in the waiting room.

A little while later, old Mr. Foster came in, a troubled look on his face.

"What's wrong, Mr. Foster?" Isabel asked.

Old Mr. Foster showed her a live stream on his phone.

Isabel opened it, and the top recommended video was Selena's press conference.

Her brow furrowed slightly.

This was too much of a coincidence.

She could understand if Selena held her launch before hers, or if she showed up to cause trouble afterward.

But on the exact same day?

The live stream showed it was taking place at the Carter family's hotel, the best in Westbridge, every detail screaming luxury and expense.

The venue was nearly set up, and every reporter of note in Westbridge was waiting.

Selena hadn't even appeared yet, but the live stream already had over a hundred thousand viewers.

And yet, there had been no prior announcement, not a single leak.

The number of viewers, the sudden trending popularity of the conference—it was all questionable.

But Isabel didn't dwell on it.

"It's fine. We'll just proceed with our launch."

Amanda worried, "If the Blackwell family helps her build momentum, my friend, that accusation of plagiarism is going to stick to you for good."

Isabel wasn't concerned. "My drug is different from hers. It can't be considered plagiarism. If they insist on causing trouble, I have the means to prove my innocence."

But no matter how frantic things got outside, Isabel remained as calm as a mountain.

Amanda, who wasn't even the one at the center of it, was pacing anxiously while Isabel simply provided the evidence.

Due to confidentiality, she didn't release extensive data, only pointing out the differences from Selena's drug.

If Selena had any sense, this would be enough to quell the controversy.

Clearly.

Selena had no intention of letting her off the hook so easily.

"Isabel was once a very good friend of mine. We used to talk about going to Crownbridge University together to study pharmacology and chemistry. But because of some misunderstandings, our friendship didn't last. What surprised me was that when I returned to the country and joined a lab, Isabel was there too. I thought it was fate giving me a chance to mend our friendship, so I often discussed my work with her. But I never expected..."

"Please, don't blame Isabel. She was just... desperate."

"After all, of the dreams we agreed to pursue, I was the only one who achieved them. She had to drop out of university to get married. So I can understand that seeing my success might have sparked some darker feelings. I don't blame her."

"I only blame myself for leaving the country in a fit of anger back then, for not being there to stop her from giving up her dreams for marriage. So please, if you have anything to say, direct it at me. Isabel has been busy at home these past few years, taking care of her husband and child. She hasn't been out in the world much. I'm afraid she won't be able to handle this. If something happens to her, I'll feel even more guilty. I'm begging all of you."