Chapter 1045: Chapter 1045: This is a Banquet at Hongmen!
Everyone was looking at Mary, and Mary looked carefully at Bertha, finally sighing, “Let the Swift family reveal the identity, I know this will make you feel embarrassed, but right now it’s the best method we can think of.”
Bertha’s expression didn’t change, she knew Mary was right, but thinking of her father’s humiliation last night and her mother’s words, her emotions became very complicated.
She knew Mary was right, revealing her identity as the eldest lady of the Swift family, the online criticism would definitely die down, who would believe a rich lady of the Swift family went to a nightclub as a hostess? The rumors would break without a fight.
But this means she has to beg her father!
Bertha stood there pale, not speaking for a long time, he didn’t know how to respond to Mary’s words, she knew it was the best way and could quickly clarify the online rumors, but she really didn’t know how to broach this with her father, nor was she clear if she did, whether he’d agree.
Or, what kind of conditions she must offer to make her father relent, maybe continue to be a marriage tool for the Swift family, or willingly help them amass wealth.
Mary saw Bertha’s long silence and had a guess, she smiled and said, “It’s okay, we can think of other ways.”
“Let me try.” Bertha suddenly spoke, though she knew doing so would bring her great trouble, compared to her own trouble, she didn’t want to trouble the crew, after all, this issue started because of her, if revealing her identity as the Swift family’s eldest daughter could relieve the crew’s crisis, how could she selfishly only consider herself?
“No need.” Adam suddenly spoke.
Everyone turned to look at Adam, and Bertha also looked at him with confusion, not understanding what Adam meant.
“No need to reveal your identity as the Swift family’s daughter, I’ll think of a way to handle this, you all go and rest.” Adam said domineeringly.
Bertha frowned slightly, “What way do you have?”
“That’s my own business, you don’t need to worry about it.” Adam finished, and continued urging everyone to rest.
“But…”
“No buts, everyone go back to your rooms.” Adam interrupted Bertha.
Mary didn’t understand the Swift family’s situation, but seeing Bertha’s hesitation and Adam’s attitude, she guessed her suggestion troubled Bertha, and stopped speaking, turning to see everyone out of the room, but Bertha didn’t leave. She looked at Adam, “What method do you have?”
“I…”
“Throwing money around?” Adam was stopped by the question, after all, he had thought of everything he could, but David’s opposition was aggressive, and his slight hesitation was interrupted by Bertha.
“No matter how I do it, as long as the matter is solved, what’s wrong with throwing money around? I have money, so what?” Adam said arrogantly.
Bertha was speechless, “Is having money amazing? Listen to me on this, isn’t it just revealing identity? What’s the big deal.”
“But…”
“No buts, that’s the decision on this matter.” It was Bertha’s turn to interrupt Adam.
Adam wanted to say something but Bertha raised her eyebrows and glanced at him, “Aren’t you pursuing me? If I go back to the Swift family, isn’t that exactly what you want?”
If you’re unwilling, then don’t force yourself. Adam looked deeply at Bertha, in his view, pursuing Bertha was one thing, Bertha being forced by the Swift family to marry him was another.
“Who said I’m unwilling? Although I quite dislike my father, the Swift family is my home after all, and I’ll have to go back sooner or later, besides, my mother is still in the Swift family.” Bertha said reassuringly to Mary, “Okay, don’t worry about me, it’s decided.”
Bertha’s words interrupted the two people’s concerns, she wasn’t questioning anymore and directly returned to her room, but once she picked up her phone, to dial her father, her heart pricked with pain.
The feeling of shame from last night flooded back, making her feel extremely embarrassed.
But she had already spoken the words, naturally she couldn’t go back on them, moreover, the crew’s situation was critical right now, if she didn’t step forward it’d only make things worse.
Thinking of this, Bertha no longer hesitated.
Taking a deep breath, she dialed her father’s number.
On the other end, Milne was very surprised to see Bertha’s number, but soon he sneered, he thought she was very capable, but eventually still had to beg him.
After a while, Milne picked up the phone, his tone was unpleasant, “You still have the face to call me?”
Bertha’s expression changed slightly, but thinking of the matter at hand she held back, “Dad, it’s my fault for making you angry.”
After much restraint, Bertha spoke to apologize, but her apology did not bring Milne’s forgiveness, instead it brought his mockery.
Bertha wanted to hang up, but thinking of the crew’s predicament, she held back, “Dad, the online comments are all false, I’m your daughter, how could I do such disgraceful things, I hope you can help clarify using Swift’s name, no matter how you see it, I’m still the Swift family’s eldest daughter, a damaged reputation isn’t good for you or the Swift family.”
Milne already guessed Bertha called him for a request, hearing these words, after some cold mockery, “I thought you were very capable, still ended up needing to beg me.”
“Dad, I’m sorry! I was being immature before.” Bertha secretly took a deep breath and said.
Milne was more complacent hearing this, “To clarify for you, it’s not impossible, but last time you messed up the marriage with the Piers family young master, what’s your plan?”
Bertha’s face turned pale, she knew it.
“What do you want me to do, Dad?” Bertha asked enduringly.
“What do you mean what I want you to do? Saying it like I’m forcing you to do something. This mess is yours, you need to clean it up, now you know the Swift family’s situation. I raised you for over twenty years, it’s time for you to give back. Alright, I can issue the statement, but you need to come home this weekend, I’ll send a car to pick you up.”
Bertha didn’t know what Milne wanted her to go back for, but knew it definitely wouldn’t be something good, yet at the moment she had no choice but to agree to it.
After hanging up her father’s call, Bertha found her palm covered in a thin layer of sweat.
She went to the bathroom to wash her face, then washed off the sweat on her hand, before leaving her room.
Adam was waiting outside for her, Bertha glanced at him, “I’ve spoken to my father, the Swift family will issue a statement.”
“Milne didn’t ask for other conditions?” Adam looked at Bertha and asked.
“What conditions could he ask for? I’m the Swift family’s daughter, we share both honor and disgrace, my reputation damaged, what good could it do the Swift family? Not agreeing would be strange.” Bertha answered indifferently.
“That’s for the best.” Adam looked carefully at Bertha, saw nothing unusual, then nodded.
Bertha paid no more attention to Adam, turned and went to Mary’s room, to tell her about it, so Mary could be relieved.
In the afternoon, the Swift PR department issued a statement.
A lawyer’s letter was issued to all marketing accounts defaming Bertha Swift, and it was announced that accountability will be pursued against all accounts and individuals who slander Bertha Swift.
In coordination with Swift’s PR team, the official Twitter account released a clip of Bertha Swift auditioning, and also published a scene from during filming.
Yesterday, the team clarified to the public that Bertha Swift secured the female lead in “The Doctors” through a personal audition, but people refused to believe it due to malicious forces pushing the narrative, leading to attacks on Bertha Swift and the team.
With Swift’s PR statement and the audition footage and video from filming, everyone witnessed Bertha Swift’s talent, especially the scene where the female lead discovers the truth and breaks down into tears.
In the scene, Bertha Swift was fully immersed, transforming into the character; the brief 15-second video vividly portrayed the character’s joy and sorrow. Not only that, she was stunningly beautiful such that it made people’s hearts tremble!
Once the statement and video were released, attitudes towards Bertha Swift made a complete U-turn of 360 degrees, with comments full of apologies to her, but mostly admiration for her beauty and acting skills.
Many people didn’t understand; isn’t Bertha Swift a rich lady from Swallow City? Why is she not only beautiful, but also talented in acting?
Bertha Swift’s popularity skyrocketed, and many netizens quickly uncovered her resume, discovering that she was not a performing arts student but a fifth-year medical student who had achieved distinction in various medical competitions.
Many online expressed envy with tears, wondering how there could be such a beautiful and talented young lady in the world? More importantly, they found Bertha Swift had no prior acting experience, yet she successfully captured the role in “The Doctors” and earned Director Locke’s approval, perhaps she’s a genius?
In the video’s comment section, netizens marveled at the disappearance of scandalous rumors about Bertha Swift dancing boldly at night clubs or even selling herself. No one believed that a rich lady from a family of medical experts would go to a bar to perform provocative dances, let alone such an exceptional, beautiful person like Bertha.
The scandal was quickly suppressed, further promoting “The Doctors,” even in the wake of “The Geisha” premiering explosively, it added more buzz, making “The Doctors” directly one of the most anticipated films of the year.
The whole team breathed a sigh of relief, and Bertha Swift herself secretly felt grateful that the matter was finally resolved, but the thought of returning to the Swift family over the weekend made her anxious again.
In the coming week, Bertha Swift, under Adam Piers’ guidance, re-immersed herself into the role, and after dismissing reporters, filming went smoothly.
The weekend arrived quickly; the Swift family’s driver had parked the car outside the crew early.
Bertha Swift had to consider asking Director Locke for leave. Fortunately, filming had gone smoothly lately. As the lead actress, even though she had many scenes, she had been shooting continuously, so taking a day or two off wouldn’t affect progress. Director Locke graciously granted her two days off.
Adam Piers had hurried through a night shoot the evening before and woke up particularly late in the morning. By the time he found out that Bertha Swift had left the crew, it was already eleven in the morning.
Upon learning of Bertha Swift’s leave, his first thought was whether the woman was ill, but immediately got Director Locke’s denial.
Adam Piers found it strange; if Bertha Swift wasn’t sick, why did she ask for time off?
He dialed Bertha Swift’s number, but it rang for a long time without being answered. Adam Piers found it odd as they had been getting along quite well recently; even if she left the crew, there was no reason to ignore his call, right?
After dialing the number several times with no answer, Adam Piers’ patience ran out, and he simply had someone pull up the hotel’s surveillance to see where Bertha Swift had gone.
…
Shimmering Hotel.
Bertha Swift was picked up by the family driver from the crew but was not taken straight home. Instead, she was sent to a styling room.
It was a particularly well-known styling room in Swallow City, which made Bertha Swift extremely nervous!
She tentatively asked the driver, “Uncle Service, aren’t we going home? Why come here? There’s no need to style here for going home!”
The driver responded with no expression, “Miss, today is the old lady’s birthday celebration, don’t you remember?”
Bertha Swift blushed slightly; she truly didn’t remember.
In recent years, the Swift family had declined, not only because her father didn’t understand pharmacology and managed poorly, but also because the old lady of the Swift family favored her younger son early on, giving away a large portion of the family assets to her second uncle, weakening their already fragile financial foundation.
Moreover, the old lady had never favored daughters and treated Bertha Swift, this granddaughter, with little affection, often showing no kindness even upon seeing her. So in past years, Bertha Swift always avoided the old lady’s birthday celebration, not remembering the date.
It puzzled her how this year seemed to be such a grand affair, whereas the birthday feasts had always been simple.
But her father’s temper was known to her; he’s extremely concerned about appearances during gatherings, especially in front of her second uncle’s family.
Upon figuring these out, Bertha Swift’s initially tense mood relaxed.
She had worried that Milne Swift took her home today with some hidden agenda, but now it seemed she was overthinking.
Reassured, Bertha Swift let the stylist work on her appearance.
After it was all done, Bertha Swift glanced at the overly luxurious reflection of herself in the mirror, without much emotion, she followed the driver back into the car.
Thirty minutes later, Bertha Swift was brought to Shimmering Hotel.
Accompanied by the driver, Bertha Swift, dressed grandly, treaded on the hotel’s red carpet and walked inside.
Bertha Swift arrived neither too early nor too late, just as the event was bustling.
Looking at the luxurious banquet within the hotel, Bertha Swift frowned slightly.
In recent years, the Swift family steadily declined, outwardly appearing glamorous and prosperous, but internally it had become hollow, further ostracized by the major families of Swallow City. Yet today, at a glance, she saw many familiar faces.
Moreover, Shimmering Hotel was famously extravagant and costly.
So how, knowing the Swift family’s situation, could the old lady spend so lavishly today?
Could there be a joyous occasion today? With various doubts, Bertha Swift stepped towards the crowd.
At that moment, her second aunt spotted her and swiftly approached with warmth, eagerly holding her hand, “Bertha, why did you come so late? Everyone’s waiting for you.”
Bertha Swift was taken aback by this unexpected enthusiasm; since the split, their family hadn’t been close with her second uncle’s family, and her second aunt typically disliked her, yet today was so cordial?
The discomfort in Bertha Swift’s heart grew stronger; her eyes scanned the venue seeking her mother to clarify things, but her second aunt tightly held her hand, making it hard to break away. She could only feign a smile to steer the conversation, “Everyone’s waiting for me?”
“Yes, you are the protagonist today, of course we must wait for you.” Her second aunt from the Swift family beamed brightly.
Bertha Swift’s face turned pale; wait for her? She’s the protagonist? Why? Isn’t it the old lady’s birthday party?
Feeling the gazes from around her, unease surged in Bertha Swift’s heart; today she feared not attending the old lady’s birthday party, but rather she was here for a trap!