Chapter 323

Eva's Point of View

The Brown Enterprises conference room buzzed with barely contained hostility. Camera flashes popped like lightning as reporters jostled for position, their hungry eyes fixed on the empty podium. Behind the scenes, I watched Sara pacing, her face pale but determined.

"You don't have to do this," she told me for the tenth time. "It's my mess. My parents' crimes shouldn't drag you into the spotlight."

"They're dragging my sister's name through the mud." My voice came out fiercer than intended. "That makes it my fight too."

Josh hovered near Sara, his protective instincts visible in every tense line of his body. Max squeezed my hand, lending silent support as we prepared to face the media storm.

"Remember," my father counseled from his position by the door, "no questions about the ongoing investigations. This is about defending Sara's reputation, nothing else."

I nodded, squaring my shoulders as Helena's PR team gave the signal. Show time.

The explosion of camera flashes nearly blinded me as I stepped up to the podium. Max and Josh flanked me while Sara remained backstage - we'd decided her presence might create too much chaos.

"Thank you all for coming." My voice carried clear and strong through the speakers. "I'll make a brief statement regarding the recent allegations about Sara Brown's connection to her parents' crimes."

Reporters leaned forward, recorders raised. I caught sight of Victoria Stone's smug face in the third row and my blood boiled.

"Let me be absolutely clear," I continued, letting my anger fuel my words. "Sara Brown is as much a victim of Emily and Louis's crimes as anyone. She was an innocent child who knew nothing of their schemes. To suggest otherwise is not only false but maliciously defamatory."

A reporter shot up. "But she lived in the house while her mother was scheming her evil plans. How could she not know?"

"Sara was a innocent victim." My knuckles whitened on the podium. "A girl who trusted her parents, just like any child would. Do you blame children for their parents' sins?"

"Sources say she helped them gain access to your family," another voice called out.

"Those sources," Max stepped forward, his CEO authority radiating, "will be hearing from our legal team. As will any publication that prints such baseless accusations."

Victoria's hand rose. "The fashion industry has certain standards. Can luxury brands really risk association with-"

"With what?" I cut her off. "A talented young woman who overcame tremendous trauma to build her own success? Who chose love and honesty despite being raised by people who chose darkness?"

Josh's quiet voice carried unexpected power. "Sara Brown has more integrity in her little finger than those trying to destroy her have in their entire beings."

The personal nature of his defense raised eyebrows. I noticed several reporters scribbling notes about his obvious protective stance.

"Let me be perfectly clear," I addressed the room again. "Sara is my sister. Not by blood, but by choice - which makes our bond even stronger. She has spent years proving she's nothing like her parents. Years building an honest career while carrying the weight of their crimes."

My voice cracked slightly with emotion. "When I lost my mother, Sara lost her chance at a normal life. Emily and Louis poisoned her childhood as surely as they poisoned their victims. But Sara chose to rise above their legacy. Chose to become someone who brings beauty into the world instead of pain."

The room had fallen silent, even Victoria's smug expression faltering.

"So here's what's going to happen," I continued, steel entering my tone. "Anyone who continues to spread lies about my sister will face the full legal and financial might of the Brown and Sinclair families. Any brand that drops her contracts based on her parents' crimes will find themselves explaining their discriminatory practices in court."

Max stepped closer, his presence lending weight to my words. "Graves Enterprises stands firmly behind Sara. Anyone attempting to destroy her career will find themselves facing a formidable opponent."

"And for those wondering about my personal feelings," I met Victoria's gaze directly, "I love Sara more than I hate what her parents did. She is family. And the Browns protect their own."

Questions exploded like fireworks:

"Is it true Josh Matthews is more than just her manager?"

"Will Sara continue modeling after this scandal?"

"How does this affect Brown Enterprises' public image?"

I raised my hand for silence. "Sara Brown is a survivor, an artist, and my sister. Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me personally." I smiled, channeling Helena's shark-like business expression. "I believe that concludes today's statement. Our legal team will be in touch with several of you shortly."

The chaos erupted anew as we left the podium, but I didn't care. Behind the scenes, Sara waited with tears streaming down her face.

"Eva..." She stepped forward hesitantly. "I don't deserve-"

I pulled her into a fierce hug, cutting off her words. "Don't you dare finish that sentence. You're my sister. Nothing else matters."

Josh watched us with naked longing before his professional mask slipped back into place. Max wrapped his arms around us both while my father looked on with pride.

"Well said, sweetheart," Helena's voice came from the doorway. "Though perhaps we should have mentioned the new fashion house I'm launching. With Sara as the face, naturally."

We all turned in surprise.

"What fashion house?" Sara asked.

Helena's smile could have frozen fire. "The one I'm building from the ashes of Victoria's former employer. I believe it's time the fashion world learned what true beauty looks like - inside and out."

Fresh tears spilled down Sara's cheeks, but this time they held hope instead of despair.

"Thank you," she whispered. "All of you. I don't know how to-"

"Family," I reminded her firmly. "This is what family does."

The word hung in the air, healing old wounds and building new bridges. Josh's hand brushed Sara's briefly, almost unconsciously, before he caught himself.

Outside, reporters still clamored for more, but in this room, surrounded by real love and support, their voices couldn't touch us.

Sara Brown wasn't just surviving anymore. She was about to thrive.

And God help anyone who tried to stop her.