008 A SUDDEN TURN
1432 Words
CHAPTER 8
Alex hated press conferences. Hated the cameras, the reporters shouting questions over each other.
But Thomas had insisted. "The world needs to see you as CEO. Not just as the victim who inherited. You need to establish yourself as the man running Kane Industries."
So here he was, backstage at Kane Tower's main auditorium, watching two hundred reporters take their seats through a gap in the curtain.
"Ready?" Thomas showed up, messing with his tie.
"No." Alex adjusted his own tie for the third time. "But let's do it anyway."
Thomas almost smiled. "That's the spirit. Xavier's already seated on stage. Front and center, just like we discussed."
The monitor showed Xavier on stage already seated in one of the three chairs. The suit probably cost more than he'd seen in five years. He kept pulling at the collar like it might strangle him.
"And Emma?" Alex asked, though he wasn't sure why he cared.
"Front row, she arrived ten minutes ago." Thomas's expression was neutral. "She looks... unwell."
Good, Alex thought, then immediately felt guilty for thinking it.
"Two minutes," a production assistant called.
Alex walked onto the stage. The camera flashes started immediately. He took his position behind the podium while Thomas and Xavier flanked him.
The room settled. The microphone and cameras were readjusted.
"Thank you for coming," Alex started. His voice didn't shake. "I know the past few days have been unusual. The will reading was meant to be a private family matter. But It wasn't. And I understand there are questions."
Hands shot up immediately.
"I'm not here to answer questions about my family," Alex continued, raising his hand to stop them. "Or my ex-wife. Or what happens next to the people who were exposed during the reading. That's between them and their consciences."
He paused.
"I'm here to talk about what I'm doing with this inheritance. Because a few days ago, I was wondering if I'd ever matter to anyone again. I know what it's like to have nothing. To be invisible. To be treated like garbage just because you don't have money in your pocket."
The room went silent. Even the cameras stopped clicking.
"My father tested me because he wanted to know if I'd stay human when everything was stripped away. If I'd become bitter or cruel. I'd like to think I passed that test. But there are millions of people out there going through what I went through, and they don't have a secret inheritance waiting for them at the end. They're just struggling. Suffering. And nobody gives a damn about them."
Alex pulled a document from the folder Thomas had prepared and unfolded it.
"Today, I'm announcing the Phoenix Foundation. One billion dollars in immediate funding. Our mission is simple. To help people who've been forgotten. Who've been humiliated. Who've been told they don't matter. We're going to prove everyone wrong. "
The room exploded with murmurs.
"We'll provide job training, housing assistance, mental health support, educational opportunities. And we'll do it without judgment or conditions. Because I know what it's like to be judged for being poor. It's complete bullshit."
A few reporters laughed. Alex didn't smile.
"We're starting with programs for fifty thousand people. Within a year, we'll expand to half a million. And our director—" He gestured to Xavier, who stood slowly, looking like he might pass out "—will be Xavier. Some of you might recognize him from news coverage over the past few days. He was homeless and he helped me when I had nothing. Now he's going to help others who have nothing."
Xavier moved to the mic. His hands gripped the podium.
"Thank you, Alex." His voice was rough but carried through the room. "Months ago, I was nothing. Now I'm directing a billion-dollar foundation. If that's not proof that people can rise from nothing, I don't know what is."
Applause.
"What about your ex-wife?" A reporter in the third row stood. "Emma Williams was photographed outside this building multiple times this week. Any comments?"
Alex's jaw clenched. He could see her in the front row, head down, trying to be invisible. She looked terrible. Hair pulled back. The same black dress she'd worn to the will reading, wrinkled now like she'd slept in it.
"No comment," he said.
"Will you be pressing charges against anyone involved in your mistreatment?"
"That's between my lawyers and the people involved. Next question."
A woman near the back stood. "Mr. Kane, there are reports that Ryan Fletcher's company collapsed in the past seventy-two hours. sources claim Kane Industries was somehow involved in both its rise and fall. Can you comment?"
Alex glanced at Thomas, who gave a tiny nod.
"Fletcher Enterprises was built on investments from Kane Industries subsidiaries," Alex said carefully. "When we withdrew those investments after discovering irregularities in Mr. Fletcher's business practices, the company collapsed. That's all I can say while the matter is under legal review."
"What kind of irregularities?"
"Financial fraud. Misrepresentation of assets. False business credentials." Alex's voice stayed calm. Like he wasn't destroying a man's life. "Mr. Fletcher claimed experience he didn't have. He made business deals using capital that was never his. When the lie fell apart, so did his company."
More murmurs.
Emma had looked up, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Is Ryan Fletcher facing criminal charges?" someone shouted.
"That's a question for law enforcement," Alex said. "But I can tell you that Kane Industries is cooperating fully with multiple investigations into his business practices. Next question."
The conference went on for another fifteen minutes. Questions about Kane Industries' future. About his plans as CEO. Whether he'd ever consider politics.
"God, no," Alex said to that one, and got another laugh.
Finally, Thomas stepped forward. "Thank you all for coming. That's all the time we have today. More information about the Phoenix Foundation will be on our website by the end of business."
They walked off stage to more camera flashes. Alex caught one last glimpse of Emma in the front row, her face buried in her hands.
He felt nothing. That scared him more than if he'd felt satisfaction.
The elevator ride to the top floor was silent.
Thomas checked his phone. Again. Xavier stared at his reflection in the polished walls like he'd never seen himself before.
"You okay?" Alex asked.
"Yeah. Just processing." Xavier smiled weakly. "Five years invisible. Now I'm on every news channel. Life's weird."
"Tell me about it."
The elevator opened to Alex's office. His father's old office. He still felt like he was trespassing every time he walked through the door.
Thomas's phone buzzed. His face went pale.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"Nothing. Just—" Thomas cleared his throat. "We should talk later. You need rest, it's been a long day."
But his hand was shaking.
"Thomas."
"Later, Alex. I promise."
Xavier and Thomas exchanged a look Alex didn't understand.
"Fine," Alex said, though he didn't believe it for a second.
They left. Alex spent the next hour alone in his office, staring at the city below. At the empire he'd somehow inherited.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He almost ignored it.
But something made him open it.
The message was short: *"Don't think you've won."*
No signature. No context. Just a threat.
Alex stared at the words. His hands didn't shake but his heart was pounding.
He forwarded it to Thomas. "What is this?"
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Finally: *"I'll be there in ten minutes. Don't leave the building."*
Alex read it again.
Who the hell would send this? Logan? The Williams family? Some business rival his father had pissed off? Or someone he didn't even know about yet?
A knock at his door made him jump.
Thomas entered without waiting for permission.
"Show me," he said.
Alex handed him the phone.
Thomas read the message. His hands started shaking.
"Thomas, what the hell is going on?"
His lawyer dropped into a chair. For a long moment, he didn't speak.
"There are people who didn't want your father to succeed," Thomas finally looked up. "Powerful people. They've controlled certain markets for decades, and your father was trying to break that control."
" What people?"
"The consortium. Business leaders." Thomas's hands were still shaking. "Your father was careful about the inheritance because he knew they'd come after whoever got his company. That's why he tested you."
Thomas looked at him. "They killed him, Alex. Made it look like a heart attack."
The room felt unsteady.
"And now they're coming for you.”
- Writer
