Chapter 87

Before coming over this morning, Melissa went specifically to a typing and photocopy shop, where she had several photos of Liam violently attacking Nancy colorfully printed out and placed them into a folder. "Here, take this too. These are the photos I had printed out just this morning." Melissa handed the folder to Murphy. All that was left was to upload these digital photos onto Murphy's mobile. The photos were all transferred in under five minutes, and it was time for Murphy to enter the conference area. "Alright, that should be everything. I'm going in now." Murphy didn't seem to care much about the day's mission. He already had his plan in mind. Now that he had his entrance pass, he could act as he pleased. Melissa noticed that there was a tiny scar on Murphy's face which was hard to spot if one did not look closely. Murphy was cool-headed and decisive in his actions. Melissa, holding a listening device in her hand, was really looking forward to the upcoming events at the press conference. "Go. You must let everyone see the hideous face of that scumbag, Liam!" Melissa clenched her fist, her chest boiling with indignation. She hadn't yet noticed that Murphy's attitude towards her today was quite cold, perhaps she was already accustomed to his icy demeanor. Without turning his head, Murphy walked out of the liquor store, heading straight to the press conference of the Humphrey Group. After passing through security, he walked into the venue. A sinister smile crept onto his face, and he thought to himself "Liam, your reputation is nothing, only by killing you can I truly help Nancy to get rid of her misery." Murphy, wearing a low-hanging cap, blended into the crowd in the front row. He could hear some activity through the earpiece. "Murphy, have you entered the venue?" Being in the liquor store, Melissa's expression turned serious. She had a gut feeling that something big was about to happen. There was no response from Murphy's side, even though he had tested the earpiece before leaving. The venue might be too noisy for him to hear her, Melissa thought, and listened to the sounds coming through carefully. Liam had already started to speak. "Welcome to all media to join Humphrey Group's press conference. The conference will have three main parts - achievements made by Humphrey Group over the past year, plans and goals for the next year, and the new areas of work we are venturing into…" Liam spoke confidently, while a meticulously prepared PowerPoint presentation was displayed on the screen behind him. Melissa has been sitting in the tobacco store for almost two hours now, and she can barely contain her excitement. Finally, it is time for the reporters from various media to ask their questions freely, and Melissa listens even more attentively. "President Humphrey, what is your blueprint for the new ventures in the transportation sector this year?" "President Humphrey, you've previously mentioned in the media that Humphrey Group may break into the world's top 500 in the next three years. Given the current state of affairs, it seems your goal might be reached ahead of schedule. Any thoughts on that?" "President Humphrey, there were rumors suggesting a rift between you and Mrs. Humphrey. Are these allegations true?" ....... As the journalists ask their questions, Nancy is sitting in the first row below the stage. Her presence at the press conference, alongside Liam, is meant to demonstrate that the rumors of their marital strife are just that - ungrounded gossips. Once Liam finishes his official remarks, applause breaks out among the audience. The press conference is about to end, and Nancy is waiting to go onstage for a joint photo with Liam. "If there is one more question, we will conclude today's conference. Any other journalists wishing to ask a question?" Murphy raises his arm among the crowd, and he is named and called upon by Liam's assistant. "Galaxy Network Media, please proceed with your question." Murphy rises slowly. Staring at Liam on the stage, he says in a low voice. "Liam, so you are a domestic abuser behind Nancy's back, truly a wolf in sheep's clothing!" Murphy's declaration sends shockwaves through the convention, which is about to come to a successful conclusion. The hall becomes an uproar, with the major media beginning to discuss amongst themselves. This is explosive news indeed! Murphy opens the file in his hands and raises it high for everyone to see, even placing it in front of the camera. This press conference was being live-streamed by six online media outlets, and Murphy's revelations left both the reporters present and the viewers stunned. Sitting in the tobacco store monitoring the situation, Melissa finally lets out an unrestrained smile. She has succeeded. Liam, the CEO of Humphrey Group, will see his reputation destroyed today. That should give him some headaches for a while. Upon seeing someone intentionally disrupting the meeting, the security guards at the venue increased their alertness and attempted to approach this unwelcome guest wearing a black baseball cap from all directions. "Liam, I am going to kill you!" Murphy leaped up from the crowd, stepping on the front row of desks and chairs, and rushed onto the podium, punching Liam to the ground. His nose seemed broken, bleeding profusely. Seeing the precarious situation, Nancy rushed to the stage to intervene. However, when she recognized the uninvited guest, she stumbled and almost fainted on the spot. "Nancy, she is my woman! If you dare to bully her, I will kill you!" Murphy's veins bulged on his forearm and forehead as he pinned Liam to the ground and rained blows onto him. The photographers dispatched from various news outlets all rushed forward to capture this chaotic and explosive scene. "What? Mrs. Humphrey is actually having an affair with this man?" "You can't judge a book by its cover…" "The industry is such a mess. Anything's possible!" The audience beneath the stage discussed fervently, and the security guards at the venue had already started to forcibly clear the area. Melissa laughed so hard she could barely breathe, she was holding back, not wanting to seem overly arrogant. She thought the situation at the venue must be quite lively. She calmly walked out of the restaurant/bar and towards the main entrance of the Humphrey Group press conference site. Since she had said all she wanted to, it was time to call the police. In the process of fighting with Liam, Murphy inadvertently pulled off his earphones and voice recorder. Melissa couldn’t hear anything outside, so she quickly threw the earphones and receiver in a nearby bin. After hearing the approach of the police sirens, she disappeared at the end of the street. Soon after, Melissa called Peter and in a cheerful tone, she asked him. "If you're free tonight, let’s visit Amy's home." Inside the venue, the reporters and photographers had been cleared away. Murphy stood on the stage, knife in hand, firmly grasping Liam's collar, glaring at him threateningly. "Today, I, Murphy, will drag you to hell even if it costs me my life!" "No!" As Murphy was about to swing his knife, Nancy, in a desperate effort, rushed onto the stage, attempting to shield Liam with her own body. Murphy was stunned, his mouth agape, and the knife fell from his grip. He didn't expect Nancy to risk her life to protect this man. Before the police arrived at the scene, Nancy hid Murphy's knife in a crevice below the podium. Looking at Murphy, with tears streaming down her face, she solemnly said "Let me handle this for a while, you don't have to say anything."