My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 11: The Official Statement

Chris was called to return to the city because the rumors could not be stopped.

By the next morning, every major entertainment website was discussing the same topic.

Why was Chris St. Claire hiding in Sterling Village?

Who was he meeting?

Who was the mysterious woman?

Speculations multiplied every hour. Some claimed he was secretly dating someone. Others claimed he was preparing for marriage.

A few particularly imaginative reporters even suggested he was planning to retire and become a farmer.

Chris nearly choked on his coffee after reading that one.

"I don’t even know how to grow tomatoes," he muttered.

Liliana glanced at the article.

"They seem very confident about it."

"They included diagrams."

"They did."

Chris looked offended because the situation had officially become ridiculous.

Unfortunately, it was also becoming dangerous. His agency had already called three times that morning.

The rumors were affecting schedules. Brands were asking questions. Sponsors wanted answers. And reporters were becoming increasingly aggressive.

Inside the living room, everyone sat around the table.

Chris, Liliana, Chris’ manager, Emily and Grandmother Sterling.

The atmosphere was serious. For once, even Emily wasn’t joking.

Chris placed his phone on the table.

"The company wants an official statement."

"But you’re under St.Claire and that’s your parents company, right?" Emily asked.

Chris nodded. "Yes, so—"

Before he could continue, two luxury vehicles suddenly arrived outside Liliana’s house.

The moment Emily peeked through the curtains, she nearly screamed.

"Oh my God."

The manager immediately became concerned.

"What now?"

"It’s them."

"Who?"

Emily turned around dramatically.

"His parents."

The room instantly fell silent.

Liliana froze.

Chris looked toward the window.

Outside, Matthew and Amanda St. Claire stepped out of the vehicle.

The Chairman of St. Claire Entertainment and his wife. The two most powerful people in Chris’s life.

Liliana immediately stood.

Despite everything happening around them, she hurried toward the front door.

The moment it opened, she bowed slightly.

"Uncle Matthew. Aunt Amanda."

The couple smiled warmly. Then Liliana lowered her head. Guilt settled heavily in her chest.

"Sorry for causing trouble."

For a brief moment, Matthew and Amanda exchanged a look.

Then both turned toward her.

Amanda’s expression immediately softened. "Oh, you poor child."

Before Liliana could react, Amanda stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

A proper hug. Warm. Comforting. Motherly.

Amanda gently patted her head. "It’s not your fault."

The older woman looked toward her son.

Then narrowed her eyes. "It’s Chris."

The room froze.

Amanda pointed directly at him. "He messed up."

Everyone was shocked because nobody had expected that. Absolutely nobody.

Emily and the manager exchanged confused looks. Because they had assumed something entirely different.

They thought the St. Claire family disliked Liliana.

They thought the secret marriage existed because Chris’s family was ashamed of her not being in the entertainment industry.

They thought she had been forced into an unhappy arrangement.

Apparently, they were completely wrong.

Amanda released Liliana and immediately sat beside her.

Matthew sat at the head of the dining table and started discussing the current situation.

Liliana sighed. "They won’t stop, will they?"

"No."

"What if we simply ignore them?"

Emily immediately shook her head.

"Too late."

Everyone turned toward her. She pointed at the television.

News reporters were currently showing aerial footage of Sterling Village. Again.

Emily looked horrified. "They have drones now."

Liliana buried her face in her hands. "We’re doomed."

Grandmother calmly sipped her tea. "No."

Matthew St. Claire was surprised to see Grandma Sterling.

"Aunt Lucia." He said in an apologetic tone.

The old woman looked at Matthew. "We’ll talk later. For now, we have to find a solution to the rumor."

Everyone looked at her, and waited.

The old woman placed her teacup down. "We simply give them an answer."

Chris frowned. "An answer?"

"Yes."

"But not the truth."

Emily sat upright. "Oh."

The familiar expression appeared in her eyes. The expression that meant chaos was coming.

Grandmother smiled. A dangerous smile.

The entire family suddenly felt nervous. Especially Chris.

"What are you planning, Grandma?" Liliana asked carefully.

The old woman folded her hands.

"The rumors say you’re visiting a woman."

"Yes."

"Then give them a woman."

The room became silent.

Several seconds passed. Then realization slowly spread across their faces.

Emily gasped. "No."

Grandmother nodded. "Yes."

"No way."

"Yes way."

Emily looked impressed while Liliana looked stunned.

Chris frowned. "You mean..."

Grandmother pointed at herself. "I am the woman."

Silence.

Then Emily exploded. "THAT IS GENIUS!"

Grandmother looked pleased.

Chris leaned back in his chair. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

It was believable. Safe. Most importantly, it protected Liliana.

The public already knew he was staying in Sterling Village. Hiding that fact was impossible now.

But changing the reason behind his visit? That could still be done.

Grandmother continued.

"Twenty years ago, your father and my son were friends."

Matthew nodded. That part was true.

Matthew St. Claire and Edward Sterling had known each other for many years.

Long before Chris became famous. Long before Liliana’s parents died. Long before everything changed.

Grandmother smiled. "We tell them your father asked you to check on me."

Emily slapped the table. "Perfect!"

Grandmother continued. "And it’s good publicity for Chris. Imagine how busy he is, but he still managed to visit an old widow."

Liliana was slowly beginning to see the brilliance.

A family friendship. A grateful visit. An elderly woman living alone.

Nothing romantic. Nothing scandalous. Nothing exciting.

The internet loved scandals. The internet hated boring explanations. Which made this perfect.

Chris crossed his arms thoughtfully. He looked at his father.

"What do you think?" He asked.

Matthew nodded. "Believable. And a great idea. We’ll tell them half of the truth. You have known grandma since you were a kid, which is true. And you occasionally visit her on my behalf."

Grandmother rolled her eyes. "That part is not."

Liliana giggled. Chris scratched his head.

But for the first time in days, hope appeared. And maybe they could survive this. Maybe.

Matthew continued.

"We’ll release a statement this afternoon."

Relief spread through the room. Finally, an actual plan. Something concrete. Something they could work with.

For the next several hours, St. Claire Entertainment coordinated everything.

Photographs were selected. Statements were prepared. Background information was verified.

Fortunately, most of it was true. Matthew St. Claire had indeed known Edward Sterling.

Chris had indeed visited Grandmother countless times when he was younger. And he genuinely cared about her.

The only thing omitted was one small detail.

The fact that he was also married to her granddaughter.

By four o’clock that afternoon, the official statement was released.

Within minutes, the entire internet exploded. Again. But this time for a different reason.

Chris St. Claire was not secretly dating anyone.

He was visiting Grandmother Sterling. An elderly family friend. A woman he had known for most of his life.

According to the statement, Matthew St. Claire had asked his son to check on her while he was in the area.

Photographs accompanied the announcement.

Pictures of Chris helping Grandmother in her garden.

Pictures of them drinking tea.

Pictures of Grandmother feeding him snacks.

One particularly embarrassing photo showed Grandmother pinching his cheeks.

Emily laughed for ten straight minutes.

The comments changed almost immediately.

"WAIT THAT’S THE GRANDMA?"

"This is unexpectedly wholesome."

"She adopted him."

"Grandma Sterling is adorable."

"Protect Grandma at all costs."

Even major news outlets began changing their headlines. The scandal gradually transformed into a heartwarming story.

Exactly as planned.

That evening, everyone gathered in the living room watching the reactions unfold.

For the first time in days, the pressure seemed lighter. The storm hadn’t completely disappeared but it was weakening.

Liliana finally relaxed against the sofa.

A long sigh escaped her lips. "We survived."

"Maybe," Chris said.

Emily narrowed her eyes.

"Why do I feel like you’re jinxing us?"

Chris looked innocent. That alone made everyone suspicious. Then his phone buzzed.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Messages poured in.

Chris opened one.

Then another.

Then another.

His expression became increasingly strange.

Liliana noticed immediately. "What is it?"

Chris slowly turned the screen toward them.

The headline read:

"Fans Declare Grandma Sterling the Luckiest Woman in the World After Chris St. Claire Personally Visits Her."

Below it were thousands of comments.

Many were demanding to meet Grandma. Some were asking for cooking videos. Several were proposing marriage to Grandma.

Emily nearly fell off the couch laughing.

While Grandmother looked deeply confused.

Chris rubbed his forehead. Liliana burst into laughter.

For the first time in days, the house filled with genuine happiness.