Episode 8: The first strike
744 Words
Ethan stepped out of Harrison Group headquarters, his expression calm despite Raymond's alarming call.
"Where is the press conference?" he asked as he entered the sedan.
"At the Grand Sapphire Convention Center," Raymond replied. "Every major news outlet is there."
Ethan loosened his tie.
"Let's go."
The car pulled into traffic.
---
At the Grand Sapphire Convention Center...
The massive hall was packed with reporters.
Camera flashes lit up the stage.
Microphones from dozens of television stations covered the podium.
Victor Kane stood confidently before them, wearing a tailored suit and a smug smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I regret to inform you that Carter Global is facing an internal crisis."
The reporters leaned forward.
"The man claiming to be the Carter heir disappeared for three years."
"He suddenly returned with documents no one has verified."
"I believe Carter Global is being manipulated."
A reporter raised her hand.
"Mr. Kane, are you accusing Ethan Carter of fraud?"
Victor sighed dramatically.
"I don't want to accuse anyone without evidence."
"But I believe shareholders deserve the truth."
The hall erupted with questions.
Just then...
The main doors opened.
Everyone turned.
Ethan Carter walked in, followed by Raymond and several senior directors.
The room instantly fell silent.
Victor's smile froze.
"So..."
"You came."
Ethan walked calmly toward the stage.
"You've been looking for me."
Without waiting for permission, he took the empty podium beside Victor.
"Good afternoon."
"My name is Ethan Carter."
"I am the Chairman of Carter Global."
Camera flashes exploded across the room.
Victor forced a laugh.
"Anyone can call themselves chairman."
Ethan smiled faintly.
"I agree."
He turned to Raymond.
"The documents."
Raymond handed him a leather folder.
Ethan held up the original will signed by his grandfather.
"This document has already been verified by the Carter family legal team and the national corporate registry."
He placed it on the podium.
"Anyone may inspect it after this conference."
The reporters immediately began taking photos.
Victor's confidence wavered.
A financial journalist stood up.
"Chairman Carter, why did you disappear for three years?"
The room fell quiet.
Ethan answered honestly.
"My grandfather wanted me to understand life outside wealth."
"I worked ordinary jobs."
"I lived as an ordinary man."
"I wanted to know the struggles of everyday people before leading a global company."
Several reporters nodded with interest.
Another journalist asked,
"Is it true you were living as a son-in-law in the Harrison family?"
Ethan smiled politely.
"Yes."
"I learned many valuable lessons during that time."
He didn't mention the humiliation.
He didn't insult anyone.
His calm dignity impressed the audience.
Victor interrupted.
"If that's true..."
"Why should anyone trust your leadership?"
Ethan looked directly at him.
"Because leadership isn't proven through speeches."
"It's proven through actions."
He turned toward the reporters.
"Before coming here today, I inspected one of Carter Global's business partners."
"I uncovered years of corruption."
"I've already begun cleaning it up."
The reporters quickly wrote down every word.
Victor clenched his jaw.
Ethan continued.
"As for Carter Global..."
He smiled confidently.
"The company is financially stronger today than it was a month ago."
"Our expansion plans remain unchanged."
"Our employees will keep their jobs."
"Our investors have nothing to fear."
One reporter shouted,
"Chairman Carter!"
"What will happen to Mr. Victor Kane?"
The hall became silent again.
Everyone looked at Victor.
Ethan answered calmly.
"Mr. Kane served this company for many years."
"I appreciate his contributions."
"But no one..."
He paused.
"...is above the law or the company's rules."
Victor's face darkened.
"You think you've won?"
Ethan stepped closer.
"I don't think."
"I know."
Just then, Raymond received a message.
He smiled.
"Chairman."
"The stock market has responded."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"Carter Global's shares have risen by twelve percent since you entered this room."
The reporters gasped.
Victor staggered backward.
His attempt to destroy Ethan's reputation had done the opposite.
Investors now trusted the new chairman even more.
The room erupted into applause.
Victor realized he had lost the media battle.
But as he quietly left the stage, he pulled out his phone.
He dialed a number.
"The public plan failed," he said coldly.
"It's time for Plan B."
A deep voice answered from the other end.
"Don't worry."
"If we can't destroy Ethan's reputation..."
"...we'll destroy the people he cares about."
Victor slowly smiled.
"Exactly."
Across the room, Ethan watched Victor leave.
He had won today's battle.
But something told him...
The real war was only beginning
.
- Writer
