Chapter 4

I went to the press conference.

I didn't have an invitation, but my dad had arranged for someone to save me a seat in the back.

It was the last row, near the door, out of the spotlight. A good place to watch.

The venue was packed.

Investors occupied the front rows. The media had their cameras set up. Suppliers and team representatives sat in designated sections.

Company employees stood along both sides, every one of them wearing an ID badge, their faces practically announcing that today was the day they would witness history.

I hadn't been seated for long when Lance spotted me.

He looked startled at first. Then he smiled. The look on his face practically said: you really have the nerve to show up.

Elina stood at the side of the stage, adjusting her microphone. She saw me, too.

From halfway across the venue, I watched her brow furrow. It was as if I hadn't come to attend the press conference, but rather to ruin her life.

The lights dimmed, and the host took the stage.

After a series of opening remarks, Elina walked to the center. The applause was thunderous. She really was beautiful, and she really did belong in the spotlight.

The giant screen played a montage of her past three years: working late into the night, reviewing team performance, livestream sales surging.

Her voice caught as she said, "A lot of people think that someone else handed me everything I have today."

The audience quieted.

I tapped my fingertips lightly against the armrest.

Here it comes.

Elina lifted her head and looked toward the cameras.

"But I want to make one thing clear. No one gets to where I am today just because they received a gift. Every achievement came from pushing through one event after another, fighting for every single project."

The applause erupted. Some people stood to clap.

Someone in the employee section even shouted, "Elina, you're amazing!"

Then Lance took the stage. He was even better than Elina at working a crowd.

Slide after slide flashed across the screen. The numbers looked impressive, the story was compelling, and even the company's projected growth over the next three years seemed as good as money already deposited in the bank.

At the end, he paused. "After this round of financing, we'll complete our transition to a fully professional operation."

His gaze cut through the crowd and landed on me. "We'll eliminate the historical baggage that doesn't participate in operations, creates no value, and continues to damage the company's image."

The cameras followed his gaze.

A close-up of my face suddenly appeared on the side of the giant screen. I had no idea when they'd arranged to film me.

The audience began to stir.

Elina's expression shifted, but she didn't stop him.

Lance smiled. "Mr. Hart, if you're only here to observe, please don't disrupt the order of the press conference."

I stayed seated.

He raised a hand toward security. "Please escort Mr. Hart out."

Two security guards approached me.

One was very young, his ears turning bright red with embarrassment. "Sir, could you please..."

I stood.

Everyone in the room was watching me. The media cameras were pointed at my face.

Some people whispered. Others laughed.

I looked at Elina.

At last, she spoke. "Bridger, don't make a scene here. We'll talk in private."

Make a scene.

I hadn't said a single word since walking in.

For a moment, I actually felt like applauding.

As I was escorted toward the door, Lance's voice rang out again. "Rest assured, the company's legacy issues won't affect its future."

The screen changed, and a document appeared. Its title was unmistakable: Core Asset Disposition Authorization.

My name was in the signature field.

Lance raised his voice. "With the appropriate authorization, the company will finalize new agreements with key personnel, facilitate the trademark pledge, and consolidate changes to the supply-chain contracts. Elina will serve as the person in charge of the new entity and lead the company into its next phase."

The applause started again, louder than before.

Elina stood onstage, her eyes welling up. She looked at me by the door, but she didn't call a halt. She didn't say there was anything wrong with the authorization.

I stood outside the venue, listening to the applause inside, and slowly pulled out my phone.

Right then, it rang. It was my dad. His voice was calm. "They brought out the fake document?"

"They did."

"How did Elina react?"

"She let it happen."

There was a two-second silence on the other end.

Then my dad asked, "Are you going back in by yourself, or do you want me to come with you?"

Holding my phone, I smiled faintly. "Come on over. I don't want them thinking I really have no one in my corner."