BXBX NOVEL Chapter 207
While Ronan lay restless at night thinking about the mate who was miles away from him, his PR team assembled that very night to discuss the best way to fight the heinous article that was published the same night.
After they came up with a few solutions, the PR Head, Mara Keenthorne, asked to meet with Ronan just after Ronan had his first morning coffee.
She brought with her the printed-out magazine cover and the article, which she politely shoved toward Ronan just in case Ronan wished to pore over it.
Ronan merely threw a glance at it.
“I read it yesterday night.”
The PR Head pushed the gold-rimmed glasses up her nose and gave the Alpha a report.
“Yesterday night, our team already contacted Glamvision and asked them to take off the whole e-magazine temporarily. They did after much persuasion. We have until noon to come up with a proper response, otherwise the e-magazine will be back online.”
“Very well. What do you suggest?”
.....
Mara took out another file that contained the proposal that the whole team worked on for the entire night.
“We have prepared three different responses: most aggressive, mildly aggressive, and least aggressive.
The most aggressive response entails a PR statement from our company to call out Woodland Enterprise for its shameless lies.
The mildly aggressive response requires us to release a non-committal statement about the article.
The least aggressive response would be approaching the Woodland Enterprise for direct communication purpose.”
Ronan left his desk, straightened his suit, and walked toward the huge window behind his desk.
“I do not wish to go against Lillian Woodland,” he said, crossing his arms before his chest.
Despite her lack of understanding, Mara Keenthorne knew not to question her Alpha.
“Of course. Then, shall we go with the least aggressive path?”
“No,” Ronan said. “I wish to make no comment. Wrap that in whatever package that you deem necessary.”
“Very well, Alpha. Then, allow me to excuse myself.”
Mara collected her proposal from Ronan’s desk but left the Glamvision cover and article behind.
After Mara left, Milroy walked in with his notebook and stylus.
“Yes, Mr. Silverback?”
Ronan turned to look at him with his hands clasped behind his back.
“I wish to meet with Miss Lillian Woodland alone today. Be discreet about the time and place.”
Milroy bowed, “Right away, Alpha.”
Ronan put an arm against the window and pressed his forehead against his arm.
Lucien...
Lucien, I miss you.
I need you.
My mate...
After half a day had passed, Milroy managed to set a lunch appointment between Ronan and Lillian.
The meeting was to take place in a private chamber, away from unwanted glances and whispers.
Dashing as always, Lillian Woodland wore a minx fur coat on top of a high-end maternity gown.
Ronan gallantly pulled the chair for her to sit on.
After exchanging small talks and ordering some refreshments, they proceeded to talk about the matter at hand.
“I reckon that you saw the article,” Lillian remarked.
“Yes,” Ronan confirmed.
“My family believes that you are indifferent about the fact that I am carrying ‘your’ baby, hence they feel the need to make a public statement. Besides...”
Lillian rubbed her belly affectionately. “The pup is growing bigger. It is getting more and more difficult to conceal it.”
“What do you need me to do?” Ronan asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman before him. “I am a mated man. There are limits that I cannot cross.”
Lillian chuckled.
“Honestly, when I first met you, I thought that you copied your father’s mannerisms. Did he not have children before he married your mother? Should you not consult him about what to do?”
Ronan scoffed.
“Those were low-born rogue she-wolves. Would you like to be treated similarly?”
A sour smile spread on Lillian’s face.
“I don’t think so. So, how did it go with Lucien Clearwater?”
Ronan heaved a sigh.
“I hope you didn’t tell him anything. Otherwise, the plan might as well crash and burn.”
“No,” Ronan said. “Of course not.”
Lillian exhaled with relief. “Alright. Right now, the fact that I am pregnant with ‘your’ baby is widely circulated while your relationship with Lucien is not known by many.
I need you to respond properly to the article.”
“What kind of proper response do you want?”
“Do you need me to teach you? What would you do if the woman you love is pregnant with your baby?”
Ronan chuckled.
“The one I love is Lucien and he cannot become pregnant.”
To Ronan’s greatest chagrin.
Lillian rolled with her eyes. She pinned the Alpha in front of her with two lines of scorching glare.
“Just imagine what you would do if I were Lucien. In a weird alternate universe.”
Ronan shook his head.
“I can’t teach you what to do,” Lillian said. “It needs to be something that bears your seal of approval.”
“Basically, you need me to court you.”
“Yes, because the end goal is to have me marry into your pack.”
Three knocking sounds were heard at the door before two waiters rolled in with a trolley. On top of it were a plate of finger foods and a jug of Honey Rosemary Iced Tea.
Ronan poured himself and Lillian two glasses of iced tea.
“We need to pretend to have a romantic relationship for five months,” Lillian remarked. “I need you to take initiative as well, don’t just wait for me to make my moves.”
“Ah. Sure, but don’t you think you can share your finding every time we meet up?”
“No problem,” Lillian agreed. “I do not intend to keep you in the dark anyway.”
Ronan picked a truffle cheese baby potato and bit into it.
“Why don’t you start telling me about what happened to Shayla Plainheart?” He asked without losing Lillian out of his gaze.
The woman’s lips curled up into a smile.
“That one is quite easy. She died about two weeks ago.”