Chapter 108 - While he was still engaged to me

Hashimoto Chisa takes a deep breath before going into the conference room full of the news reporters. She takes a look over everyone's faces, guessing the questions in their minds from their expressions and body languages. She is prepared for what is coming for her. 

Wearing in a simple deep neck white dress and a scarf that doesn't hide the bruises on her neck completely, she has an aggrieved expression on her face. If one looks at her, they won't be able to tell how many hours she spent with her makeup artist to make her look like she didn't wear any makeup. 

"I, Hashimoto Chisa, will confess my sins today." She announces with a hoarse voice.

The audience straightens their backs curiously, ready to bombard her with questions after she confesses the sins. The cameramen focus on her face. Her eyes are full of guilt and pain. 

"My mother worked as a hostess who entertained men. My father was a convict." 

A gasp escapes from the audience. Nobody likes to wash their dirty linens in public. Hashimoto Chisa is bravely admitting her past.

"My father..." A tear drops from her left eye. "He was an abusive man. My mother and I lived in hell. He would torture my mother and me every night. He tried to feed me alcohol when I was only 5. My mother wanted to leave with me, but he threatened to kill us. Every night, I prayed that someone would come and save us. When he was caught, I finally saw the light."

They know that much. Chisa's father has a criminal history. A few years ago, he was freed from the prison after finishing his prison sentence. Then, he was caught again for breaking into a house of a single woman for robbery, [email protected], and murder. He's in prison again. Everyone can guess what kind of man he must have been to his family.

Hashimoto Chisa isn't lying about his father. She is satisfied after seeing the sympathy on people's face. Not all people in the country can be swayed by her story. Her goal is to sway who can be swayed. 

"My crime is that I couldn't choose my parents," She speaks with a low voice. "I don't want to speak much about my mother. I didn't know what kind of jobs she did back then until recently. She was immensely hurt by my father. To make a living and raise me, she chose to do what was right. "

The tone of her voice and the tears in her beautiful eyes make their heart tremble with understanding. However, being understanding doesn't mean that they won't attack her with questions.

"Miss Hashimoto, is it true that you faked your school records?" A young reporter asks her with a loud voice.

"My mother found love again with my stepfather. Our life changed after that. After she married my father, we moved in with him. I didn't finish high school back then. He didn't want my past to hinder my future. He told me that a daughter of a convict could not marry into a good family. He couldn't use me for his business." She wipes her tears with her fingers once and sniffles.

"I felt that it was wrong to lie to the world. But, my stepfather wouldn't listen to me. He threatened to divorce my mother if I didn't go along with his plans. I didn't have much choice. I didn't have the power to change my school records. For the sake of my mother's happiness, I had to go along with his wishes."

She looks so miserable. There's silence. An underaged girl can't have the power to completely change the school records. Only someone like Hashimoto Hiro can do it. It is no secret that Hashimoto Chisa has been useful to him. She's the one who saved his company. Hashimoto Chisa's university degrees are already canceled. As of this moment, she's only a high school graduate. 

"Do you have anything to say about your stepfather's scandal?" Another reporter questions her.

"I have nothing to say." She lowers her head, trying not to cry. "I have been trying to save the family intact for so many years, but all of it amounted to nothing. My mother is heartbroken and sick. Both men in her life have betrayed her love. Please do not make it hard for her."

At this moment, her mother is enjoying her time at the spa. Her mother couldn't care less whether Hashimoto Hiro cheated on her or not. Since her daughter is the new boss, Hashimoto Hiro isn't needed.

"Why did Kamiyama Kiyohira break the engagement with you?" 

Chisa clenches her fists. Her head is lowered. Nobody can see the darkness forming in her eyes. 

"It is no secret that he chose someone else over me," She tells them with a grudge. "I don't want a man who cheated on me and i.m.p.r.e.g.n.a.t.ed another woman while he was still engaged to me."

They scribble down the spicy information. "Miss Hashimoto, how did you get hurt?"

The reporters glance at the bruises on her neck.

She pales and looks at them with fear, raising suspicions in people. "Thank you for giving me your precious time and hearing me out."

She rushes out of the conference hall before anyone could ask another question. When she passes by the door, a smile forms on her red lips. She's sure that people will be more interested in Kamiyama family that already been in news due to scandals. The new bride's identity will be dug up. Soon, everyone would know that Kiyohira married his adopted daughter of his stepmother. With the scandal of Kamiyama Shintaro and Kamiyama Hitomi, this new scandal will take care of her problems. She will make sure that everyone finds out who attacked her at the Kamiyama mansion.