Chapter 8 - The Shadow's Last Stand
Although the corporate battle in Manhattan had ended in a decisive victory, the dark embers of resentment had not completely died out.
Sterling Croft, stripped of his executive position and facing personal bankruptcy, had allied himself with Victoria Vance—who had been formally fired from Child Protective Services following Maxwell’s legal exposure of her systemic abuses of authority.
Desperate for revenge and seeking a massive financial payout, Sterling and Victoria hired a disreputable tabloid journalism firm to run a smear campaign against Maxwell Rothschild.
On a Tuesday morning, headlines across national gossip outlets blasted:
"BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET ORPHAN SNATCH: Did Maxwell Rothschild Use Wealth to Bypass Adoption Laws?"
The article accused Maxwell of using his immense fortune to circumvent state custody procedures, fabricating biological claims, and isolating two young orphans on an guarded estate away from public scrutiny.
Arthur Pendelton rushed into Maxwell’s study at 7:00 a.m., holding a tablet displaying the viral news articles.
"Mr. Rothschild," Arthur said anxiously. "The story is trending nationally. News helicopters are attempting to fly over the perimeter of the Bellevue estate. The board is nervous, and several public advocacy groups are demanding an official state audit."
Maxwell sat at his large oak desk, calmly sipping his morning tea. On the wall behind him hung a framed drawing that Lily had made that morning—a picture of a big house, a golden sun, a plastic horse with a shiny metal leg, and three figures holding hands.
"Arthur," Maxwell said calmly, setting down his teacup. "Do the girls know about the news helicopters?"
"No, sir," Arthur replied. "I had the estate staff draw the blinds in the east wing and take them to the indoor pool."
"Good," Maxwell said. "Call a national press conference."
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Arthur blinked, surprised. "A press conference, sir? You’ve avoided the media for twenty years."
"I avoided them when I had nothing to say, Arthur," Maxwell smiled softly, standing up and adjusting his suit jacket. "Now I have everything to say. Set it up at the Seattle Convention Center for 2:00 p.m. Today."
