My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 58: The Truth They Could Tell

The internet refused to let Liliana breathe. Every hour brought new posts, fresh accusations, and increasingly outrageous conspiracy theories. What had started as ordinary criticism had spiraled into something far crueler, spreading across every social media platform with alarming speed.

One photograph, in particular, refused to disappear. It captured nothing more than Liliana greeting Matthew St. Claire with a brief hug outside the company building, but the internet had already rewritten the story to fit its own narrative.

"She’s Matthew St. Claire’s secret woman."

"No wonder she’s getting all the contracts."

"Chris doesn’t even know his own father likes the same girl."

"She’s sleeping her way to the top."

The comments grew more vicious by the minute. Entertainment pages fueled the rumors, while vloggers released countless videos dissecting every interaction between Matthew and Liliana. Many confidently claimed she was receiving preferential treatment because of an inappropriate relationship with the chairman.

Inside the St. Claire Mansion, the mood was noticeably heavier. Emily slammed her phone onto the coffee table, her patience finally snapping.

"I’m going to fight the internet."

Nathan looked up from the couch.

"Can you?"

"I’ll try."

Mary sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "They’ve crossed the line."

Nicole’s expression darkened. "They don’t even know Uncle Matthew."

Rose nodded in agreement. "And they’re insulting Aunt Amanda too."

Liliana remained silent. She had long since grown accustomed to harsh comments and public criticism, but this felt different. The rumors no longer targeted only her—they dragged the people she loved into the mess, accusing the family that had welcomed her with nothing but kindness.

Amanda quietly set down her teacup and exchanged a look with Matthew. Neither of them spoke. After decades of marriage, words were unnecessary. One glance was enough for both of them to reach the same conclusion.

Matthew slowly rose to his feet. "Call everyone."

Half an hour later, the mansion’s conference room was filled with familiar faces. Pulse, the Sterling cousins, Robin, Amanda, and even the company’s legal team had gathered around the long conference table.

Matthew stood at the head of the room, calm as ever, but everyone could tell from the look in his eyes that he had already made his decision.

"I’ve declined interviews for years."

His gaze swept across the room.

"I won’t decline this one."

Robin blinked in surprise. "The national interview?"

Matthew nodded. "Yes."

Silence followed. Everyone understood what that meant.

Matthew St. Claire rarely gave interviews, and whenever he did, the entire country paid attention.

Chris looked at his father with curiosity. "What are you planning?"

Matthew folded his hands. "I’m ending this." His eyes shifted toward Liliana. "As much as I can."

Liliana’s heart skipped a beat. "You don’t mean..."

Matthew gave a single nod. "I’ll tell them who you really are."

The room fell silent.

Not the entire truth. But enough. Enough to destroy every lie the internet had created.

That evening, every major television network carried Matthew St. Claire’s interview live. Millions tuned in, including business executives, entertainment reporters, devoted fans, curious viewers, and even his harshest critics. Everyone wanted to hear the famously private chairman speak.

The interviewer greeted him with a warm smile.

"Chairman St. Claire, thank you for accepting our invitation."

Matthew returned the gesture with practiced professionalism.

"It’s my pleasure."

The interview began with familiar topics—the company’s remarkable growth, Pulse’s highly anticipated comeback album, Rhythm’s upcoming debut, and preparations for the overseas concert tour in France. Only after discussing business did the interviewer carefully steer the conversation toward the question everyone had been waiting for.

"Chairman..."

She hesitated briefly.

"There has been a great deal of discussion surrounding your newest talent, Liliana Walker."

Matthew nodded calmly. "I expected that question."

The interviewer continued cautiously.

"People have noticed your close relationship with her."

She paused before asking the question that had consumed the internet for days.

"May we ask... who is Liliana Walker to you?"

The studio fell silent.

Across the country, millions waited for his answer.

Inside the St. Claire Mansion, not a single person looked away from the television.

Matthew looked directly into the camera before offering a gentle smile.

"I think everyone deserves the truth."

The interviewer leaned forward slightly.

Matthew spoke slowly, choosing every word with care.

"First..."

"Her real name isn’t Liliana Walker."

The internet exploded. Social media nearly froze beneath the overwhelming surge of reactions.

Matthew continued without hesitation.

"Her real name is Liliana Sterling."

The studio became eerily quiet.

The interviewer blinked several times.

"Sterling..."

Matthew nodded. "She is the granddaughter of Lucia Sterling."

Another wave of shock swept across the internet.

"Lucia Sterling! I know her!"

"The elderly woman Chris had once visited in Sterling Village."

"The mysterious grandmother fans had been endlessly curious about."

Before anyone could interrupt, Matthew continued.

"She is also the daughter of my best friend."

For the first time during the interview, his expression softened.

"Edward Sterling."

Recognition immediately flashed across the interviewer’s face.

"The former chairman of Sterling Corporation?"

"Yes."

Matthew nodded once again.

"The same Edward Sterling who, together with his wife Vanessa, tragically died in an accident twenty years ago."

For a brief moment, it felt as though the entire nation had stopped breathing.

Sterling Corporation had once been one of the country’s most powerful companies before vanishing almost overnight after its founders’ deaths. Older generations remembered the tragedy well, and many had wondered what had become of the family left behind.

The interviewer looked genuinely stunned.

"So... you’ve known Liliana since she was a child?"

Matthew smiled warmly. "I’ve known her all her life."

Within seconds, social media erupted once again.

WAIT...

"Chris visited Grandma Lucia! Does that mean Chris and Liliana grew up together?!"

"THEY WERE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS?!"

"No wonder they’re so comfortable around each other!"

"Everything finally makes sense!"

News organizations rushed to replace their earlier headlines.

LILIANA WALKER REVEALED AS LILIANA STERLING

CHAIRMAN ST. CLAIRE CONFIRMS LIFELONG CONNECTION TO THE STERLING FAMILY

CHRIS ST. CLAIRE AND LILIANA HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE CHILDHOOD

Inside the St. Claire Mansion, everyone continued watching in silence until the interview ended.

Emily was the first to smile. "They finally know."

Nicole nodded. "At least part of it."

Chris quietly turned toward Liliana. She looked relieved.

Not because the entire truth had finally come to light, but because one devastating lie had finally been buried. No one could accuse her of being Matthew St. Claire’s mistress anymore. No one could claim she had manipulated the chairman for fame or success. The world now understood that she had never been an outsider.

She had always been family. They simply didn’t know just how close that family truly was.

One secret had finally been revealed.

The biggest one still remained hidden.