Chapter 2_ Accusations

When Vanessa reached the lobby of the hotel, reporters suddenly flocked around her. "Miss Sanchez, are the rumors true? Do you have a new sponsor? We heard that he's an old man?" A reporter quickly threw those questions at her. Vanessa struggled to walk through the crowd as they were creating a scene.

"Is he your sugar daddy? Is it true that you sleep with men for money to sponsor your dying career?" Another one threw a question at her. Vanessa's face turned red as anger boiled inside of her.

She clenched her fist tightly as she stopped to respond to their questions.

"I guess my senior colleagues feel threatened by me. That's why they're spreading these horrible rumors about me, "she stated.

"We do not understand you, miss Sanchez? Is anyone after you?" The reporter asked again.

"Who spread rumors about you?"

"The same person who paid you all to question me." She replied. Vanessa moved forward and approached the door.

As she pushed the door open, she felt a cold liquid splash all over her body and face. Vanessa was dumbstruck as she stared at the middle aged woman who looked at her with rage. The woman quickly threw the bucket away and attacked Vanessa.

"How dare you try to sabotage my marriage, you bitch? You think sleeping with my husband will help your fallen career?" The woman pounced on her and hit her.

Vanessa didn't fight back, but she defended herself and pushed the woman off.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Let go of me!" She demanded. The woman didn't relent on hitting her at every given opportunity.

The woman slapped Vanessa across the face and pushed her off to fall but she ended up in the arms of someone.

The bold arms grabbed Vanessa tightly and he pulled her to himself. Vanessa was shocked by the reaction of the man who saved her. She punched and pushed him off her. "Miss Sanchez, is this how you appreciate me for saving you?" She heard the man's voice speak.

Vanessa could tell that it sounded very familiar. She looked up at his face and saw him. Fear gripped her when she realized who he was. The man was none other than her ex-husband. Emmanuel Howells.

The same man she abandoned three years ago in order to face her career. Vanessa was embarrassed that he had to find her this way after three years of separation. She was scared that he saw she didn't even improve in anything. Nor was she rich or famous like she always wished to be.

Vanessa pushed him off her but he had his hands gripped on her dress. "Let go of me, Manuel!" She demanded, riveting her gaze from his face as his cold demeanor made her uncomfortable.

Instead of Manuel to obey her, he pulled her closer. "Mr. Howells, we have come to realize that this is your first meeting you miss Sanchez ever since your divorce. Is there anything you have to say about it?" A reporter stepped forward and asked.

Vanessa looked at him sternly, she felt like slapping him for asking such a question.

Manuel gave her a brief stare before he spoke

"What can I say? I am highly disappointed that she didn't even improve after so many years, "he answered. Manuel looked at Vanessa coldly, his lips curved into a smirk. He said that purposely to hurt her but she seemed to ignore him. Making his mission unsuccessful. When she didn't reply, he went on to ask.

"Am I right, Vanessa Sanchez?" His voice was cold as he spoke. Vanessas' cheeks turned crimson as she blushed in embarrassment. At that moment, she wished for the ground to open and consume her.

She was so ashamed of herself. Firstly, it was her sexual scandal, Marina's humiliation, the woman who claimed she slept with her husband and now, meeting Manuel.

"Hunny, what are you doing here?" They both heard Marina's voice speak from a distance. She soon reached where they stood and she tried to hug Manuel who had just let go of Vanessa. Manuel didn't seem to be interested in the hug but he let her hug him. He looked at Vanessa, hoping to see an emotion on her face but there was none. She didn't even care about them, even if they kissed.

"What are you doing here, Manuel? Shouldn't you be at a meeting?" She questioned him.

"Yes, Hun. I should. Coincidentally, the meeting is being held here in this hotel." He replied to her.

"Oh, " she gave a brief response and turned to Vanessa.

"You slut. You tried to seduce my fiance" she accused her. Marina raised her hand to hit Vanessa but Manuel stopped her.

"What are you doing, Hun?" She turned.

"I should teach this gold digger a lesson for trying to seduce you, '' Marina declared.

"There'll be no need for that." Manuel responded.

He soon turned to the woman who he met, hitting Vanessa earlier. "Madam, you claimed that Miss Sanchez seduced your husband, right?" He asked.

The woman nodded instantly. "It isn't a claim. I know she did. She also spent the night with him last night" she added.

Manuel was confused and he arched a brow as he stared at her. "Where did you get your information?" Manuel questioned her.

Miranda couldn't understand why he was interested in the issue, she was so uncomfortable with the whole situation already. And all she wanted was to leave the hotel with him. She didn't want to get exposed for setting Vanessa up.

"It's none of your business, Mr. Howell. Please stop meddling in my affairs" Vanessa warned him. She was frightened that her secret might get exposed. Indeed, she woke up beside a man whom she didn't bother to check who he was and had just left. She didn't want anyone to find out about it. I'll only add up to her problems. She was cold, wet, embarrassed and needed to return home to rest.

Vanessa wanted to leave but Emmanuel held her back. They both stared at each other. "Why are you leaving? Do you not want to vindicate yourself from their accusations?" He questioned her.

Vanessa glared into his crystal blue eyes that held dark emotions in them. She was so uncomfortable, especially with his touch.

"What does it matter to you? Please stay away from this" she warned him.

Manuel tightened his fist on her arm.

"You are indeed right, madam. But Miss Sanchez here spent the night with me" Manuel suddenly blurted out.

Everyone was stunned by his sudden confession. Vanessa looked at him in shock. Why did he lie just to defend her?

The reporters flashed their cameras at them, especially when he held her and looked at her so intimately.

"Miss Sanchez, is this true? Did you spend the night with your ex-husband again? Was it for a sponsorship?" They began to throw numerous questions at her.

Vanessa was so embarrassed by everything, her face turned red immediately. She grew more enraged and felt like slapping Manuel For doing this to her.

Miranda on the other hand grew more confused. No wonder the man she had set up with Vanessa called her to inform that she never showed up last night. It turned out that she had slept in Manuel's room last night and they probably slept together.

Marina was furious, she tried to slap Vanessa but Manuel stopped her immediately. "Don't you dare touch her!" He declared. Vanessa stared at him as he warned his girlfriend. She could recognize the emotions in his eyes. Manuel still had feelings for her.