Chapter 5 - The Fall of the House of Cross
The grand hall of the city’s convention center was packed with journalists, photographers, and anxious investors.
Damian stood at the podium, trying to look confident despite the dark circles under his eyes. Evelyn sat front and center, wearing her remaining diamonds, trying to maintain a facade of dignity. Beside her, Vanessa smiled for the cameras, basking in the attention.
"I assure everyone," Damian spoke into the microphone, "our partnership with Hale Industries is solid. This minor market fluctuation is temporary. Cross Enterprises remains as powerful as ever—"
BOOM.
The heavy double doors at the back of the hall swung open.
The chatter in the room died instantly. Flashbulbs began firing rapidly as a woman walked down the center aisle.
It was Isabella.
She wore a stunning white pantsuit that radiated power, her long dark hair falling in perfect waves over her shoulders. Behind her walked a team of sharp-looking lawyers and security guards, led by Logan.
"Isabella?" Damian gasped into the microphone, his face turning pale. "What are you doing here? This is a private press conference. Security, escort her out!"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Damian," Isabella said, her voice carrying effortlessly through the room. "Seeing as I own this building. And the bank that financed your podium."
"Don't be ridiculous, you penniless thief!" Evelyn screamed from her seat, pointing an angry finger. "You stole my heirloom! You have no right to be here!"
Isabella didn't look at Evelyn. She nodded to Logan.
Instantly, the massive projector screen behind Damian flickered to life. The security footage played on a loop, showing in crystal-clear high definition Vanessa stealing the necklace and planting it in Isabella's bag, while Evelyn watched and nodded in approval.
A collective gasp rippled through the press corps. Cameras began flashing furiously, capturing the terror on Vanessa and Evelyn's faces.
"That... that's a fake! A fabrication!" Vanessa shrieked, backing away from the stage.
"It is raw, legally certified security footage," Isabella stated coldly. "And the police are already waiting outside to arrest you both for grand larceny, defamation, and conspiracy."
"Isabella, please..." Damian stammered, stepping away from the podium, his voice cracking. "We can talk about this. Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because you asked me to make an effort, Damian," Isabella said, taking a step closer. "So I did."
She turned to the crowd of journalists.
"As the sole owner and CEO of the Vanguard Group—the entity you know as 'The Arch'—I am officially announcing the complete acquisition of Cross Enterprises. As of ten minutes ago, their debt was foreclosed. Damian Cross is no longer the CEO. He is officially bankrupt."
The room exploded into chaos.
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Reporters shouted questions, pushing their microphones forward. Two police officers entered the hall, heading straight for a screaming Vanessa and a weeping Evelyn, slapping handcuffs on their wrists in front of the live television cameras.
Damian fell to his knees on the stage, staring at the woman he had treated like a ghost, realizing that she had been his god all along.
