The press conference was held in the Garrett Automotive atrium at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
Cameras flashed like machine-gun fire. Every major network in Corban and Kretia had sent crews. The marble floor reflected a thousand lenses pointed at the long table where Reed Garrett sat alone, charcoal suit crisp, face carved from the same stone his great-grandfather had used to build the first factory.
Behind him, the company logo had been draped in black velvet.
Marcus Garrett stood to Reed's left, shoulders bowed, eyes fixed on the floor. Agnetha Blackwood stood to his right, radiant in mourning-white silk, the Phoenix Heart pulsing beneath her collarbone like a victory drum.
A single document waited on the table: the surrender of Garrett Automotive to Blackwood Holdings. Total. Irrevocable. Live
