Chapter 4

The man was still dressed in a bespoke black suit, no longer disheveled from the rainy night. His impeccable features were on full display: sexy thin lips and cold yet passionate eyes. Even a strand of hair on his forehead was subtly stirring the heartstrings of every woman present.

"It is Joseph Parker!"

"Joseph Parker?"

"The current CEO of the Parker Group, one of the top financial conglomerates in the country. He just made it into the top ten of the domestic rich list this year. He is also the youngest on the list so far."

"So it is him. I have heard about a low-profile and mysterious young master from the Parker family who settled in New York a couple of years ago. He rarely showed himself in public. Now I know why. Just think about Helen of Troy..."

"Look at you, you're practically drooling..."

The speakers were too excited and didn't control their volume. The whispers among a few reporters completely reached the ears of the people on stage.

How could such a big shot have appeared at such a small press conference?

Just as everyone was puzzled, they saw Joseph walk straight to Isabella and put his arm around her slender waist.

Isabella's beautiful eyes widened, filled with confusion and surprise. The next second, the arm around her waist tightened slightly, and the man's faint smile brought her considerable comfort.

The previous words coupled with this series of actions made it self-evident who the man in black in the photo was.

At that moment, the reporters who had reacted quickly aimed their cameras at Joseph.

"Mr. Parker, may I ask what is your relationship with Ms. Isabella Watson?"

"Mr. Parker, did you just say that Mrs. Parker is Ms. Isabella..."

"Mr. Parker..."

Joseph cast a cold glance at them.

The questioning reporters immediately fell silent.

Joseph's assistant Luke Cliff stepped in to mediate, "The Parker Group will soon release the engagement announcement of Mr. Joseph Parker and Ms. Isabella Watson. Please pay attention to the official blog announcement at that time, and do not be misled by those with ulterior motives!"

The whole room instantly erupted into an uproar.

The low-profile Joseph showed up with an explosive engagement announcement. The reporters were all excited.

However, at that moment, there were three people on stage looking nervous. Bruno's face darkened even more after hearing his assistant's whisper.

Suddenly, a grating voice came from the corner, "But Ms. Watson just admitted that she is still engaged to Mr. Sandall. How would Ms. Watson explain this?"

Isabella recognized him as the reporter with glasses and a mask from before.

Regardless of whether it was intentional provocation or not, his question successfully redirected everyone's attention back to Isabella once again.

Isabella didn't know what to say.

"Isabella and I have already dissolved our engagement privately. However, my mother has been unwell recently, so we agreed to announce it after her health improves in a few days. Ms. Watson's denial just now was to honor our agreement."

Isabella was shocked. The one speaking was Bruno? Unbelievable. She would have been grateful enough if this jerk didn't kick her while she was down, but he was actually willing to argue in her defense?

What on earth was going on?

"Any more questions?"

Everyone below was intimidated by the imposing aura of Joseph. No one dared to utter a word.

"If not, Luke..."

Receiving the eye signal from Joseph, Luke waved his hand, and the well-trained bodyguards dressed in black suits quickly formed two human walls.

Subsequently, under the astonished and envious gazes, Joseph, with a bewildered Isabella in his arms, walked out of the Empire Hotel...

The press conference ended hastily. Bruno and the reporters had already left, leaving only the frustrated and angry Jasmine and her mother.

"Jasmine, what on earth happened? What did Bruno say to you when he left? He looked so upset."

"Bruno said that his father called, saying that the Sandall Group's shares had fallen by 20%. He said someone was deliberately suppressing the Sandall Group and even threatened that if he didn't cooperate, the consequences would be more than just a 20% drop."

"Is it Joseph?!"

How could someone as astute as Amanda not guess who was behind this? However, Jasmine's affirmation still sent chills down her spine.

Amanda had long heard of Joseph's formidable abilities, but only after experiencing them firsthand did she truly understand how terrifying he was.

The Sandall family was already superior to most families in New York. Yet, to Joseph, it was nothing more than an ant being toyed with in the palm of his hand...

"However, how could that bitch know Joseph?"

The thought of that devastatingly handsome face stirred unrest in Jasmine's heart, yet she could only stay calm on the surface.

"How would I know? Damn, I originally planned to take advantage of your dad's business trip abroad to deal with her, but Joseph appeared and ruined it! It seems that I underestimated this damn girl before, but as long as we still have Ruth, she won't have a good time."

"Also," Amanda lowered her voice and continued, "you need to hurry up and get pregnant with Bruno's child. Once you have a child, wouldn't he marry you?"

"Mom, I doubt he's infertile..." Jasmine looked worried.

"You are so stupid. You didn't take him to the hospital?"

"How dare I? Every time I brought up the matter of the child, he would fly into a rage..."

At that moment, someone knocked on the door. They immediately stopped, alertly looking towards the door.

"What?"

"Mrs. Watson, Ruth wants to see you..."