"Yes. I am-"
Bethany steps out of her sleek black car, her heels clicking and clacking confidently against the pavement as she strides toward the towering glass building of Worth Conglomerate. The late morning sun reflects off the windows, casting long shadows across the entrance. For a moment, she pauses, taking in the sight of the building that has always represented her family’s legacy. Today, it is going to represent her own strength and resolve.
Her first day back in the office since declaring herself interim CEO has drawn attention, and she can feel the weight of her employees’ eyes on her as she walks through the lobby, refusing to lock eyes with anyone and trying desperately to just put one foot ahead of the door till she reaches the elevators. Some offer polite nods, while others whisper in hushed tones.
Bethany ignores it all, her focus sharp. Her heels echo in the half silent lobby, against the polished marble floor as she steps into the private elevator. The doors close with a soft chime, cocooning her in silence.
She sighs in relief. She successfully avoided contact with anyone, hoping just that did not give a wrong impression to anyone. But as the elevators go higher and higher, she realizes slowly that the lobby was the least of her problems. Her thoughts swirl as the elevator ascends.
“This is it. My first public appearance as CEO. No room for error. No room for hesitation. Stay confident and stay in command. You’ve got this Bethany.” She forms her hands into fists and shakes them to herself, smiling at herself in the clear metal doors.
When the elevator doors slide open, Elaine, the company secretary, is already waiting for her right by the opening doors. Dressed perfectly in a tailored navy suit, Elaine is the picture of professionalism. She clutches a clipboard in one hand and a tablet in the other, her expression a mixture of focus and determination, and possibly nervousness. Bethany dismisses it as a mirror of her own feeling.
“Good morning, Ms. Worth.” Elaine greets her, her voice crisp.
“Good morning, Elaine,” Bethany replies with a faint smile, stepping out of the elevator.
Elaine falls into step beside her, speaking quickly and clearly as they head toward the conference room. “The reporters have been gathering for the past hour. They’re seated and ready to go. You’ll be addressing them from the podium in the center of the room.”
Bethany nods, glancing briefly at the notes Elaine hands over to her.
“I’ve prepared responses for the most likely questions.” Elaine continues, pointing to the highlighted sections on the tablet. “The main focus, of course, will be your father’s survival. They’re going to press hard for details about how he’s alive after being presumed dead.”
“Anything else?” Bethany asks, not bothering to scan the notes. “I know the best about his supposed resurrection so I think I have that part covered. I hope you don’t mind.”
Elaine hesitates for a moment. “Not at all ma’am. Also, there’s some inside chatter about your role as CEO now that your parents are alive. And…” She pauses, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“And?” Bethany prompts, raising an eyebrow.
“There’s been speculation about your engagement.” Elaine admits. “The press loves a good headline, and your personal life is supposedly an exclusive. They are wondering if the wedding will still happen since either or not you’ll be CEO, it wasn’t presumed to be a love marriage, just one that was supposed to seal your role as the CEO.”
Bethany pauses slightly. “Are you married?”
Elaine nods, caught off guard by the question. “Yes, I am ma’am.”
“Love… or to get this job?”
“I had to survive one way or the other ma’am, to have a choice at getting considered, I had my wedding registered. Its one of the reason why the press is so interested if you’ll be using what they have tagged the ruling family privilege.”
Bethany lets out a quiet sigh, her jaw tightening. “Of course they do,” she mutters. “Let’s get this over with. And, could be late but I am sorry on behalf of the buffoon who put that damn rule in place.”
As they approach the conference room, the hum of voices grows louder. Bethany takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.
Through the open double doors, she sees the crowded room: reporters with notepads and microphones, cameramen adjusting their angles, and photographers snapping test shots, it’s all just a large and noisy hubbub of activities. The air is thick with anticipation.
Elaine steps ahead, opening the door for Bethany before climbing the podium herself, raising a hand to quiet the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience.” She announces. “It is my honor to introduce the interim CEO of Worth Conglomerate, Ms. Bethany Worth.”
Bethany steps forward, her steps gentle as she claims the podium. The flashes of cameras are blinding, but she keeps her head high, her expression calm and composed and tries not to blink too much, knowing reporters, they might decide to use the worst for their articles. Her fingers graze the edge of the podium as she steadies herself.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.” She begins, her voice steady despite the tension within her and in the room. “Thank you for being here today and for honoring our call. As many of you know, the past few weeks have been incredibly challenging for my family and for this company. But today, I’m here to share some important updates.”
The murmurs fade, and silence covers the room.
“First and foremost,” Bethany continues, “I want to address the news about my parents. I am pleased to inform you that both my father, Paul Worth, and my mother, Anastasia Worth, are alive and safe. My father is recovering from a major surgery and is currently unconscious, but the doctors are optimistic about his recovery. My mother, while still on bed rest, is doing equally well.”
A wave of whispers ripples through the crowd. Hands shoot up, and Bethany gestures to a reporter near the front.
“Ms. Worth, can you explain how your father survived? It was widely reported that he was killed in the attack at your home. Even you appeared live on the day of his funeral, was it just a trick to make people pity the company?”
Bethany looks at the reporter, her face composed. “No, this was not a trick, I think we all saw the crime scene pictures on the television. I understand the confusion. My father’s survival is nothing short of a miracle even I can say. Just yesterday morning, he mysteriously wandered out of the forest at the back of our property. We’re still trying to piece together what happened, but for now, we’re simply grateful to have him back with us.”
Another reporter interjects. “If your father is alive, then who was the person found dead and shot in the face? Who died and was buried?”
Bethany’s expression turns somber. “That’s a question we’re still trying to answer. The authorities are investigating to identify the deceased individual. I can’t answer that question since I am just as curious as you are. What I can say is that this is no longer a murder criminal investigation but rather an effort to find closure for the family of the deceased and to know if the attacker was the one who died or just someone who has yet to be identified as present that night.”
“Ma’am, you said your mother, Anastasia Worth is on bed rest but is quite fine. Why can’t she identify if there was a third party present that night? Could the deceased have been a visitor of your father or mother’s?”
“This brings me to the announcement that my mother has been diagnosed with amnesia. Whether it is regressive or not, we don’t know yet but we can only hope that Dad wakes up and is able to answer the pending questions but for now, Mum, Anastasia Worth can’t answer any of those questions.”
A fourth reporter stands, his voice cutting through the air. “Ms. Worth, given this revelation, will your role as CEO be re-evaluated now that your parents are alive?”
Bethany straightens her spine, her voice firm and sure since she’s been awaiting the question. “No. My parents are in no condition to resume their roles. I will continue to lead this company to the best of my ability. Oh, this is me asking for your cooperation as well, I’ll need your help, alongside the company’s able staff to do the job right.”
The tension in the room loosens, but Bethany doesn’t falter from her female boss position. She scans the room, her gaze landing on the last reporter still standing, meaning he has another question for her.
“Ms. Worth,” the reporter starts, his tone sharp, “Now that your family crisis is resolved, are you still planning to get married?”
The question does not catch Bethany off guard but something about a scornful tone of voice does, and for a split second, she freezes. She knows the cameras are on her, knows that somewhere, Mandall is probably, most likely, watching the live broadcast.
Her heart pounds in her chest, but she keeps her expression neutral. Everything that Anastasia said to her before comes swirling in her head and she wonders if she still wants to sacrifice her company for the man that she has come to trust.
Her gaze flickers to the cameras, a faint glimmer of openness in her eyes. “Yes.” She says, her voice clear and unwavering. “I am still getting married.”
The room erupts into chaos as reporters clamor for more. Bethany steps back from the podium, bows, signaling the end of the press conference. Elaine quickly steps in, herding the reporters towards the exit as Bethany slips out through the side door.
In the quiet of her office, Bethany finally allows herself a moment to breathe. She sinks into her chair, her mind replaying the press conference. Her final answer lingers in her thoughts, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. She has done it, and now there is no going back from this point.
She gazes out the window, the city sprawling below her. “I hope
you’re watching, Mandall…” She whispers loudly. “…Because that was for you.”