The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1127 Fifty Million

But Sheryl's words didn't eliminate Charles' doubts. He grabbed her hand tightly and tried to see through what she was thinking.

"Mrs. Lu, are these erotic pictures real?"

"Mrs. Lu, you gave some details just now. Are you saying that all these pornographic photos are real? Would you like to tell us more about this?"

"Mrs. Lu, could you elaborate?"

"Please give us an explanation."

The reporters shot many questions simultaneously, and Sheryl was nearly encircled by them.

Their questions were all sharp. Sheryl didn't know which question to answer first. But she knew that despite the different types of questions, all they were truly interested in was the same thing.

"Yes. I understand that all of you want to know whether the woman in these photos is me. It is precisely what you thought it was. The pictures are real," Sheryl confessed according to the man's instructions. Hearing her words, Charles clutched her arm and pulled her towards him.

"Are you crazy?!" Charles yelled at her out of anger and surprise. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Sher, what are you doing? Are you trying to destroy yourself?"

Sheryl couldn't bear the grievance and hopelessness anymore. She looked at Charles, her eyes filled with tears and said in a low voice which only he could hear, "Charles, I was left with no other choice. They have kidnapped Shirley and Clark! I have no choice but to do as they say."

Charles was dumbfounded at the spot when he learned the truth. He had never expected them to use their kids to threaten them.

At that moment, he didn't have much of a choice either. He couldn't do anything in the present situation. After all, they must have hidden somewhere and were probably watching the live broadcast at that very moment.

They would keep their eyes on Sheryl to make sure that she had acted in line with their instructions.

Hearing Sheryl admit the porn-photo scandal, the reporters were as surprised as Charles. They became more excited and shot more questions at Sheryl. After all, she had just admitted to cheating on her husband.

Judging by Charles' unbelieving expression, the reporters concluded that he wasn't expecting this outcome either.

This was sensational news for them, even hotter than the scandal. After all, the press conference was held by Charles, and they were all invited by him.

They had assumed that he had invited them to clear his wife's name. But now, everything had turned upside down for him.

If he had known that his wife would make a confession, he wouldn't have held a conference in such a hurry. That was the general opinion.

"Mrs Lu, you are confirming that the reports are true?" They began to pump Sheryl for more information.

"Yes." Sheryl closed her eyes, seemingly acquiescing in their questions.

"Mrs. Lu, could you give us more details? Are you not on good terms with your husband? Is your marriage falling apart or are you just having an affair?"

Sheryl felt like she would drown in their indecent questioning.

More questions were shot at her, each reporter trying his best to dig out more information than the other. After all, this kind of sensational news was truly rare. If they didn't grasp the precious opportunity, all the read would go to their rivals.

Now that Sheryl had accomplished what the kidnapper had instructed, she wasn't planning to answer anymore questions.

She had no time to waste on their nonsense.

Sheryl quickly walked off the stage. In spite of the encirclement of reporters, she walked towards the backstage aggressively.

Charles hastily followed her.

"Where is Isla?" Sheryl looked around the area.

"I'm here, Sher," Isla showed up quickly and called out to her. Isla had seen everything that Sheryl had done. But she knew what Sheryl had done must have had something to do with that phone call. Although she couldn't hear the conversation properly, she heard Sheryl mention Shirley and Clark.

Isla guessed that someone must have been using the kids to blackmail Sheryl to confess.

"Isla, where is my phone? Hand it to me quickly!" Sheryl said hastily. This was the reason why Sheryl had rushed towards the backstage.

She had already done what that man had asked. She had to call him to ask whether he would release her children now.

"Here it is." Isla handed the phone to Sheryl.

Sheryl was trembling so violently that she couldn't unlock her phone.

Seeing Sheryl's frightened state, Charles grabbed her phone and unlocked it. He quickly handed it back to her so that she could call the kidnapper.

When the phone was unlocked, the screen was still on the recent calls page. She found the last number received and dialed it.

The ring went on for the longest time, but no one answered. Just when Sheryl thought that the call wouldn't be answered, a casual voice finally came through.

But the voice was still being modulated by a damned voice changer. Sheryl couldn't tell who was on the other end. "I have done what you asked. Please release my kids!" Sheryl begged. She was trembling in fear. She was worried about her children and their safety.

"I saw the live. I have to say, you are so beautiful on TV," the man said, ignoring her request.

"I beg you, please let my kids go. I did what you asked." Sheryl felt exhausted and her voice had turned hoarse. She had no patience for casual conversations with a kidnapper.

"Mrs. Lu, take it easy. Now that you have done what I asked, I will keep my promise. Don't worry," the man answered in a cold tone.

"What about my kids? What should I do now?" She wanted to see them as soon as possible.

"That's simple. Prepare fifty million dollars for me. I will call you again after you've prepared the money. I think one hour is sufficient, isn't it? And Mrs. Lu, please bear in mind that I need it all in cash," Duncan demanded. He originally hadn't planned on blackmailing her for money.

But Sheryl's begging voice aroused his ambition. He hadn't known the relationship between Charles and Sheryl earlier. But now, he pretty much knew what was going on. Now that he knew that the woman had Charles as her strong backer, he was sure that fifty million was easy cash for her. So, why not reap some benefits while he was already at it?

But he still didn't dare ask for more. He was a little afraid that Sheryl would call the police if he pressured her too much. Although fifty million dollars was the kind of cash Duncan would get after arduously working for an entire life, it was just profit of a small order for Charles.

He figured that it was a good bargain for Sheryl and Charles to use just fifty million to buy the safety of their kids.

It wouldn't be too risky for him because it was loose change for them and he didn't do anything bad to the kids.