......
Lowell only understood half of what was going on after they spoke on the phone, so he asked Heinz, "Did Janice ask these reporters to come here?"
"If not her, who would it be?" Gary asked in an agitated tone.
Sure enough, Lowell's expression changed drastically.
He looked at Gary apologetically and said, "I'll take responsibility for whatever happens later during the press conference."
Gary glanced at him and said, "What else can she say except that she's my girlfriend in front of the press? Being my girlfriend elevates her status immediately. If you tell everyone that Janice is your girlfriend, then it would be even worse as everyone would think that we're fighting over a girl."
That possibility existed, of course.
The media would just blow it out of proportion.
"Celeste is your girlfriend," Lowell replied.
"Lowell, you probably don't know this, but Celeste has left our house," Heinz said.