The next morning, Mrs. Gladstone stepped out of a small café after having tea, completely unaware that a group of reporters had been waiting nearby.
She had barely taken a few steps toward her car when one of them recognized her.
"Mrs. Gladstone!"
She stopped and turned towards the voice, thinking it was an acquaintance, only to realize it was a reporter. Before she could react, several reporters hurried toward her, cameras already recording and microphones being pushed in her direction.
"Mrs. Gladstone, is it true that Loretta Goodman is dead?"
"Have you been able to speak with your daughter?"
"Why hasn't the Goodman family made an official statement?"
"What can you tell us about the video circulating online?"
Mrs. Gladstone's expression tightened, "please, I don't have anything to say," she replied, attempting to move toward her car.
The reporters followed.
"Mrs. Gladstone, you've been avoiding the media since the rumors began. Why?"
"Is Loretta alive?"
