Chapter 16 - The Unmasking
The morning of the press conference arrived with crisp, clear skies. Hundreds of reporters, camera crews, and curious locals gathered outside the diner. Despite the charred emergency exit in the back, the main dining room was spotless, bathed in warm sunlight.
Ethan stood at the podium in a tailored charcoal suit, his right sleeve discreetly covering his bandage. Beside him stood Sophie, poised and calm, while Emma and Chloe sat in the front row holding hands, surrounded by security guards and their teacher, Mrs. Gable.
Flashbulbs flared continuously as Ethan stepped up to the microphones.
"Thank you all for coming," Ethan began, his voice deep, clear, and commanding. "Over the past week, there have been numerous accusations regarding the legitimacy of Vance Global, the funding of my family’s foundation, and the integrity of this very establishment."
He gestured to Marcus, who projected a series of legal documents and financial audits onto a large screen behind the podium.
"Today, I am releasing full, unredacted financial records of every business transaction I have conducted over the last fifteen years," Ethan announced. "Every dollar has been independently audited by three top-tier international accounting firms. But more importantly, today we bring to light the person behind these malicious attacks."
The screen shifted, displaying a high-resolution photo of Julian Sterling alongside corporate registry documents of Erebus Holdings.
"Julian Sterling, my biological uncle, has spent the last month attempting to manipulate stock markets, bribe public officials, and last night, commit arson on this family diner," Ethan stated firmly. "He believed that by threatening my business and my family, he could force me to surrender."
A reporter raised her hand frantically. "Mr. Vance! Julian Sterling claims that your initial capital was stolen from his estate! How do you respond?"
Ethan looked directly into the camera lens, knowing Julian was watching.
"My initial capital was earned through a patent I registered at twenty-two years old—a patent Julian Sterling tried to steal from my late father," Ethan revealed, his tone dropping to a sharp, resonant pitch. "And as of nine o'clock this morning, Vance Global has acquired a controlling sixty-one percent stake in Erebus Holdings. Julian Sterling no longer controls his own company. I do."
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Gasp went through the crowd of reporters. The financial news tickers across the world immediately began updating, showing Vance Global stock surging upward by twenty-five percent in real-time.
"This family," Ethan continued, looking down at Sophie and the twins, "was not built on corporate power or unearned wealth. It was built on truth, sacrifice, and unconditional love. To Julian Sterling, I have one message: your game is over."
