Chapter 650: A Brother's Comfort

~ At Heavenly Star Enterprise ~

Grandpa Lu was preparing to release a statement to clear Andrew's and Alveena's names.

He would reveal that Hannah was the one who took Andrew for granted as she tried to chase after Tristan, seducing him when they were abroad. 

He would also tell the public that Hannah tried to kill his daughter-in-law and her baby because of jealousy.

But there was one problem. He had no proof that this happened. The public would still sympathize with her as she was the one who played the victim role.

Committing suicide and losing her eyesight,  these alone were enough to get the sympathy of the public.

Assistant Twig was standing next to Grandpa Lu. He didn't know if this was a good idea to release their statement to counter Mr. Miller's claim.

"Chairman Lu, I don't think this is the right time to release our statement regarding the issue. Maybe being silent will also be better?"

Grandpa Lu sighed deeply as he glanced at the printed material containing his statement.

"Have you consulted young master Andrew about this?" Mr. Twig asked Grandpa Lu again.

Grandpa Lu glared at Assistant Twig. 

"Why are you contradicting my plan? Are you sympathizing with the Miller family as well?"

Assistant Twig shook his head frantically.

"Of course not, Chairman Lu. Don't misunderstand! I'm on your side!"

"Where's Andrew?"

"He is on the way here now, Chairman Lu. It seemed that his talk with Mr. Miller didn't go well."

Grandpa Lu took another deep sigh. He somehow felt sorry for Alveena and Andrew. The breakup between Hannah and Andrew didn't end up the way they wanted.

If the Sy Family learned about this, Andrew would have a hard time getting the approval of Alveena's parents.

"Tell him to see me right away."

"Noted, Chairman."

It did not take long when Andrew arrived at Heavenly Star Enterprise. He proceeded to his grandpa's office.

"Grandpa, Assistant Twig told me that you wanted to see me."

"Yes, grandson. There is something I wanna ask you."

Grandpa Lu showed him the printed material of his statement. 

"What do you think about this? Should we release this statement?"

Andrew read it. It was written there that Hannah was the one who became unfaithful first. She tried to seduce his brother and she almost killed Zhen-Zhen during the fire incident abroad. She also tried to poison her and almost caused miscarriage.

But the absence of proof couldn't guarantee that people would believe them. Hannah looked pitiful right now. She lost her fiancee and now she lost her eyesight.

"Grandpa… Thank you for this. I know you are worried about me and Alveena. I made this mess so I will try to fix this. I will take full responsibility for this."

"What do you mean, grandson?"

"Let me handle this grandpa. I will be the one to give my statement to the media."

"Alright, grandson. I will respect your decision. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask me. I will be here to support you," Grandpa Lu said, tapping Andrew's shoulder.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Andrew's expression became solemn as he left Grandpa Lu's office. He didn't want to hurt Hannah further for the sake of their past relationship. But he needed to protect Alveena.

*****

Meanwhile, at Sy Corp, Clifford went to see Alveena after reading the news article about Andrew and her.

Clifford was not the type of person who would concern himself about someone else's problem. However, he didn't know what had gotten into him that he suddenly wanted to check on his sister.

"Why are you here?" Alveena asked her brother confusedly.

"Do you need anything?" she added.

"You didn't come home last night." Clifford plainly said with an expressionless face.

Alveena rolled her eyes skyward. "I am already an adult. There's nothing wrong if I can't come home once in a while."

"I mean… you should return the favor for covering you up last night. Mom and Dad didn't know that you didn't come home because I helped you."

Alveena was at a loss for words when he heard that.

"Dear brother, Seriously? Is that the only reason you came here to see me as early as this morning?"

"Okay, brother. Tell me what favors do you need?" Alveena said, smiling at her brother.

"Hmm, do you want me to set you up with someone?" Alveena added, teasing Clifford.

Clifford narrowed his eyes at Alveena. But seeing that she was in the mood to tease him, Clifford knew that Alveena was just doing fine.

"It looks like you don't need to be comforted. You are not that affected by the news article."

Alveena was taken aback when she heard that. Then she looked at her brother with disbelief.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Clifford asked Alveena with a deep frown on his face.

"Is that really you, brother? Are you not an impostor? Are you my brother? Or are you just sick or something?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Alveena burst out laughing seeing the confusion on her brother's face.

"I mean… I can't believe that you came here to comfort me? That is so unlikely of you, brother!"

Clifford looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment. If he just knew that Alveena would tease him, he shouldn't have come to see her.

Clifford turned around. He was about to leave when Alveena grabbed his elbow thus stopping him.

Alveena missed Clifford's old self. Before, they were really getting along very well. Clifford was very caring and supportive of her. He was acting like her big brother, protecting her. But everything changed after Olive's betrayal.

Clifford became grumpy and serious. The gentle Clifford was long gone. It was replaced by a cold-hearted, indifferent, and woman-hater Clifford.

Clifford turned around only to see the teary eyes of Alveena. The playful smile on her face already disappeared.

"Hey, brother… Why are you leaving? I thought you came here to comfort me?"

Deep inside, Alveena was still bothered about what happened to Hannah. She was having a hard time too. But she tried to hide it.

But it seemed that Clifford knew what's going on with her.

Without waiting for Clifford to say a word, Alveena threw herself at her brother, hugging him as she buried her face on his chest.

Clifford looked at her helplessly. He took a deep sigh before stroking Alveena's hair. He knew it. Alveena was bothered by those news articles.