The Overnight Billionaire's Revenge

Chapter Eight: THE INTERVIEW

Like Marcus planned, the world was on fire. Not literally but the news and media outlets had spread not only the story but the video of the footage that Marcus had released at the conference. It had only been three days and so far, the story had been topping all the charts on the blogs. No one could believe it. How could Victoria Wong of all people falsely accuse her own husband? It was unheard and definitely a story to gossip over by everyone. And although the videos were now being taken down and tagged as adult material, the intrigue behind it never died down. 

Victoria and her family had not been seen in public since the news broke and James went on a short vacation to the Maldives to clear his head. Well, that’s what the tabloids say anyways. No one had seen him too so everyone chose to believe that he had run away with his tail tucked between his legs. 

As for Marcus, while the world spun out of control, he reveled in the vindication. News outlets and blogs reached out to him for his own scoop, his own version of events. How he was betrayed and how he survived the social assassination caused by his wife. Hell, he had even been offered his own television show due to the publicity. All of which he turned down but there was one interview he didn’t push to the side. An interview with the woman who started it all. The woman who interviewed Victoria and spread the lies of infidelity on his part. Marisa Clear. 

She had reached out to him with an apology, a fruit basket and a note begging him to come on her show to clear the air. Marcus had thought of turning her down too but he decided against it. With Victoria and James working behind the scene, no doubt to pull the video from the internet completely, he had to create more buzz on his own and who better to use than Victoria’s first pawn. 

Now, he stood in front of a mirror with a make up artist touching his face and a costume designer, adjusting his outfit. He stayed still for a few seconds before silently waving them off, gesturing that he was all right. As soon as they walked off, the producer stepped up to Marcus with a clipboard in hand.

“Are you ready to go on Mr. Wong?” He asked.

Marcus winced at the name, not wanting to be associated with that family any longer.

“Please, call me Chen. And yes, I’m ready.” He replied, touching his tie one last time. 

The producer gave him a nod and then gestured for Marcus to follow him. Marcus followed his lead and was taken to an open floor but with a stage to the left where all the cameras in the room pointed to. Marisa Clear was already sitting in one of the chairs, putting on her lipstick by the time Marcus approached her and took a seat across from her. 

Marisa handed the lipstick in her hand to an assistant and faced Marcus.

“You ready to go on?” She asked him, her eyes gleaming with excitement. 

“I sure am.” Marcus managed to say before the producer shouted out.

“We’re live in three, two, one! Rolling!”

“Good day Los Angeles and welcome to another interview with ‘What happened?’. I’m your host Marisa Clear and I want you to join me as I interview the man behind the story buzzing worldwide, Marcus Chen.” Marisa said with a pep as the cameras pointed to Marcus. 

Marcus only smiled at the camera before turning his attention back to the host. 

“So, I know the last time that you watched my show it was an episode of me blasting you to my watchers. I was fed lies. Lies that I helped that woman share to the public and for that I am sorry Mr. Chen.” Marisa apologized, her smile crumpling, giving way to a frown. 

“It’s fine. If I was deceived for years by her, I didn’t expect anyone else to see through her facade.” Marcus said, waving off the apology. 

Marisa smiled at his words and continued. 

“Fortunately, the truth was revealed at the conference two days ago. Now, I’m led to believe that by the number of videos I’ve seen floating around that you are responsible for that little show.” She asked him in a curious tone, prompting him to answer. 

“All I did was get evidence to clear my name. That was it. I mean the Wong’s had already cut me off from everything. My work, my account, the world. What else did I have to lose?”

Marisa crossed her legs and frowned. 

“It sounds like you lived a hard life. Can you tell us a bit about that?”

“About my time with the Wongs?” Marcus tried to clarify to which Marisa gave him a nod. 

“It was horrible. Marrying into a family like that has to be one of the worst way to torture a person. I mean I married Victoria because I loved her and even though I had a well paying job, it was never enough. I was never enough. I worked for her father, day and night without a salary. I catered to her mother’s every need even though they had very capable staff and then the most recent one happened when I caught my wife having an affair with my so-called best friend. It’s been a rollercoaster to say the least but I can finally say that I’m now free. I mean everything happens for a reason.” Marcus said, giving them the rundown of what mostly happened in that family. If he were to go into detail then they would have to do a series on this interview. 

“Talking about the affair. The video that went viral is now nowhere to be seen. People believe that the Wong’s are taking them down from all the sites. What do you believe?”

Marus shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter what I believe because I still have it.”

Marisa sat up straight, a shocked look on her face. 

“Wait, you still have the damning video?”

“Why wouldn’t I? After all, it’s proof that Victoria Wong and James Parker did the unthinkable behind my back. Do you want it? I’m willing to share.” Marcus offered, knowing fully well that he was about to start the apocalypse for Victoria and James once more. 

“Well, since you’re being generous, I’ll take it. But before we get to that, I hear that there’s talk of you getting a divorce from Victoria Wong.”

“Yes, I am. We haven’t set a date yet but hopefully it’ll happen within the week. I can’t wait to be rid of that family.” He answered with a bright smile on his face. 

“One last thing before we end here today. If you had the opportunity to speak to Victoria and James right now, what would you say to them?” Marisa asked, leaning in for the scoop.

Marcus took a deep breath. He already knew what he wanted to say. Hell, it had been the only thing on his mind for some time now but he couldn’t say that on public television. Not yet anyway. Hence, Marcus going for the milder version.

“All I’ll say is that I wish nothing but the best for Victoria and James. Karma’s a bitch they say.” He spoke with a stoic face while his hands balled into fists. What he really wanted to say was ‘I hope the both of you rot in hell after what you did to me but not after I make the city hell on earth for you first.’. Harsher words but fairly factual.

“All right then. It’s been a pleasure speaking to you Mr. Chen. Thank you for your time.” Marisa thanked him with a handshake.

“Thank you for having me.”

“And we’re done!” The director shouted out as the staff began to disperse and clean up. 

Marisa shared one last shake with Marcus and shot him a smile before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Marcus alone. 

“Right this way Mr. Chen.” A random assistant walked up to lead him away from the chaos and back to the car that would take him home. 

While they walked out of the building, Marcus’ phone buzzed. He took it out of his pocket just as the car pulled round and checked the message that he'd received. 

BE AT THE COMPANY BY NOON TOMORROW

LET’S BE DONE WITH THIS FARCE OF A MARRIAGE

The door opened and Marcus got in with a smile on his face. The message was from Victoria. Marcus chuckled, tucking the phone back into his pocket. With the phone out of the way, Marcus stared out the window as the car began to move. 

“Ah, don’t you just love it when a plan comes together.” He said under his breath, revelling in his most recent win.