?Chapter 227:

    Vincent nodded with apparent indifference, showing little concern for the public scrutiny.

    “Just focus on your work and leave the rest to me.”

    As Katelyn nodded in agreement, she identally caught Vincent’s dark gaze. Despite his unreadable expression, Katelyn found an odd sense offort in his eyes.

    She dismissed her wandering thoughts and returned to her desk to concentrate on her work.

    Engrossed in her drawing, the only sound in the office was the stroke of her brush.

    By the time shepleted hertest theme around noon, Katelyn stretched her arms and checked her phone.

    She then realized that Vincent hadn’t made any public rtions efforts regarding the recent controversy. Instead, he seemed to be letting it unfold on its own.

    It was still unclear how Lise had convinced Neil that she was Iris. However, no amount of deception could transform a counterfeit into the real thing.

    Neil’s efforts were likely to intensify the controversy.

    Katelyn decided to disregard it and continued to focus on her designs.

    The next few days passed without incident. Neil was probably preupied with the conference and Lise’s pregnancy, leaving him no time to hassle her.

    Just when Katelyn thought she’d be left alone, a group of paparazzi ambushed her as she left work that evening. They had been hiding nearby and swarmed her as soon as she stepped outside, thrusting microphones in her face.

    Caught off guard by the sudden uproar, Katelyn’s eyes flickered with worry.

    g???????ν??????.????n – ???????? ???????????????? ????

    One of the reporters at the front eagerly asked, “Miss Bailey, could you respond to Wheeler Group’s statement about you using someone else’s identity for publicity?”

    Another reporter chimed in, “Reliable sources im Lise Bailey is the true Iris, and you are just impersonating her. How does it feel to take over her privileged life and now attempt to steal her professional identity? Don’t you feel any guilt?”

    “Miss Bailey, please respond directly. Many people online are eager for your answer.”

    Katelyn’s eyebrows knitted tightly together.

    She hadn’t checked her phone yet, but judging by the situation, it seemed Neil and Lise had likely devised a new plot.

    She fixed a cold gaze on the reporter in front of her and said, “When have I ever said I am Iris?”

    Her question struck at the heart of the matter, silencing the reporter, who had been vying for sensational headlines. Indeed, neither Katelyn nor the Adams Group had ever officially confirmed her identity as Iris.

    For a moment, the biting questions the reporters had prepared seemed to choke them.

    They exchanged nces, their expressions a mix of confusion and helplessness.

    ustomed to thriving on controversy, they had rushed here at the first whiff of scandal, only to have their aggressive questioning turn against them, leaving them dumbfounded.

    Upon seeing the reporters at a loss for words, Katelyn’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

    “Whether you’re here on your own or someone sent you, make sure to check your facts before you question me. Any further harassment or defamation will prompt a response from Adams Group’s legal team.”

    Katelyn’s warning was sharp and effective, sparking traces of fear in some of the reporters’ eyes.

    Those in the media knew well that Adams Group boasted a formidable legal team, renowned for their sess in court over the years.

    One reporter, gritting his teeth and refusing to back down, kept asking, “But some sources im that…”

    Katelyn didn’t let him finish his question but regarded him coolly. “You might be better informed than I am about the reliability of what’s posted online.

    In the past, the information people posted might have mostly been correct, but it often carried the author’s personal bias. In the fast-paced inte era today, though, even a single phrase can be twisted in countless ways.”

    Without altering her expression, Katelyn gave the reporters onest look and turned to walk away, leaving them to exchange confused nces.

    .

    .

    .