Never Judge

Chapter 61

Island's Inc. had decided that aside from the traditional media they would invite bloggers as well, so there were over a hundred members of the press and bloggers in the venue by the time Adrianna and Cedric arrived.

Uncle Matthew was already there when they got to the waiting room.

"Are you nervous?" Matthew asked Adrianna.

"Just a little uncle Matthew." Adrianna said with a smile.

"Adri did you see this? It's the latest rumor about the Reyes Heir!" Margaret said, waving her phone.

"Not yet? What is it?" Adrianna asked.

"Well it says that according to a source close to the Reyes Heir, the young man has quite an appetite, not unlike his good friend the young congressman Alexander Sebastian. Someone who knows the Reyes Heir says he likes to rotate women. What a shock Adri!" Margaret gasped as she read the news.

When Cedric heard what Margaret said he wanted to give Ayanna and Veronica a call and scold them.

"That's why I'm glad I have Cedric." Adrianna boasted. With what Adrianna said he had half the mind to forgive Ayanna and Veronica.

"Do you think the press will ask about this?" Margaret asked her cousin.

"They probably will." Adrianna answered.

"What will you answer?" Margaret was worried that the cheating rumors would be brought up because of this.

"I'll say that every day and every moment I choose Cedric. He can be poor and ugly but I will always choose my Cedric." Adrianna answered as she stared into Cedric's eyes.

"You better say it that way! It gave me goosebumps just watching you two! Also Cedric nice get up, you actually look passable today." Margaret interrupted the moment as Adrianna giggled at what she had just said.

"Matthew, Adrianna, Cedric, it's time." Cathy Hernandez came in and called them.

The host welcomed everyone and called Cathy Hernandez up to the stage, Adrianna's aunt Cathy then spoke about how the family will be investigating the cases filed against Fredrik and John Hernandez and how the father and son duo will be taking some personal time off.

"Due to this sudden change, the family has decided to put Matthew Hernandez as the new President and CEO of Island's Inc." At that the crowd applauded. Many of the employees that had come to the press conference were people who had in the past worked with Matthew Hernandez and were loyal to him.

Matthew stood on the podium and thanked everyone for their support. He gave a quick speech before finally getting to the part where he announced Adrianna's promotion.

Adrianna was very nervous with the announcement. She was worried that people would think she was too young or too inexperienced for her role. She held Cedric's hand tightly.

Cedric could sense his wife was nervous. He knew she had nothing to be worried about. Aside from her being more than capable of her new role, she also had him. He would move mountains just to see her succeed, and he wanted the world to see how incredible a woman his wife actually was. To increase her credibility Cedric had planned a little surprise with the sisters. It was also a way for him and his friends to show that Island's Inc. was not the problem, rather it was Fredrik Hernandez and his son.

When they heard Matthew Hernandez announce Adrianna as the new VP for Marketing and Sales Adrianna and Cedric slowly climbed up the steps smiling.

"Who's that, he's so good looking!" Some of the female employees exclaimed as they saw Cedric go up on stage. For the first time in quite a while Cedric had dressed up and fixed himself up.

"That can't be Miss Adrianna's husband. When did he become so good looking?"

"He looks like some rich heir, that can't be him!"

"It is him. Look, same smile and same look when he looks at Miss Adrianna."

The press were enjoying the comments of the employees as they took photos of Cedric and Adrianna up on stage together. Adrianna gave a quick speech thanking her family and promising the employees that she will work hard with them.

After Adrianna's speech they were led to some seats on the stage for the question and answer portion of the press conference.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure all of you are excited to ask your questions. So we will be opening the floor to them. We would also like to request that everyone avoid any personal questions."

The first person came up to the mic, Adrianna couldn't see who it was clearly due to the lights on stage, but she could hear the members of the audience gasping and whispering among themselves.

"First of all Adrianna, congratulations!" Adrianna adjusted her position and was surprised to see four extremely well dressed young ladies. It was the sisters, less Ayanna who couldn't come home in time. No wonder the audience was confused, just this morning Katerina Sebastian had practically declared Fredrik and John Sebastian as persona non grata and now she was holding a microphone congratulating Adrianna.

"Thanks Katerina." Adrianna was inclined to say.

Nicole suddenly grabbed the mic from Katerina and spoke "We just wanted to say that whatever Katerina did does not involve you or Island's Inc. We just believe that women should have a safe and comfortable workplace and that men who put women in harm's way at work should be responsible for their actions. Also Saints Hospitals will be ordering all of our uniforms and patient gowns from Island's Inc. I hope for a fruitful partnership in the future."

Nicole looked proudly to the stage, everyone thought she was looking at Adrianna, in reality it was like her telling Cedric "see I can do it". Nicole then handed the mic to Veronica who wanted to laugh at her friend.

"As a gift to my good friend Adrianna, I'd like to offer a collaboration with Island's Inc, I will design all of its flagship stores, and although I am not a fashion designer I am also open to houseware collaboration." The audience was shocked. Adrianna had not only secured a partnership worth millions with Saints Hospitals, the largest private hospital chain in the country, but a collaboration with Veronica. And anything you placed Veronica's name on was sure to make a fortune.

After Nicole and Veronica said their part the four sisters just left and everyone was silent. Cedric noticed Jon in the crowd and nodded to him, the reporter quickly understood what Cedric meant and took the mic.

"Mr. Matthew, what are your plans for Island's Inc. in the future?"

Jon's question seemed to wake the audience up from their daze and the reporters finally began to ask questions about the plans for Island's Inc in the future. Until one reporter suddenly asked about the rumors.

"Miss Adrianna, please enlighten us on the status of your marriage."

"As you can see, I've brought my husband with me, we would actually like to issue a joint statement." Adrianna said looking at Cedric.

"Adrianna Hernandez and I have been happily married for the past five years. Our marriage was not initially published as we did not see the need to. What mattered and what still matters is that we love each other. I have complete faith and trust in my wife." Cedric had prepared his speech in advance and it was even checked by the Reyes Group's PR head.

The reporters however continued to probe. "What is your reaction to the rumors regarding the Reyes Heir having a lot of women?"

Adrianna smiled, it was a question Margaret asked earlier. She looked at her husband and answered.

"There has always been only one man that has mattered to me. Every day and every moment I choose Cedric. He can be poor and ugly but I will always choose my Cedric. As for the man you are asking me about, he is nothing but a business partner and I wish him the best."

When everyone saw the way Adrianna and Cedric looked at each other, they knew that there was no point in questioning Adrianna's loyalty to her husband.