Chapter 172

Daniel's POV

The moment Sean and I stepped through the hospital doors, we were ambushed by a blinding wall of camera flashes and shouted questions. Despite the late hour—nearly eleven at night—the entrance to hospital was surrounded by reporters and social media personalities, their cameras and phones trained directly on us like weapons.

This wasn't random media attention—someone had orchestrated this circus.

"Are you in charge of Paradise Valley Estates?" A man with fashionable glasses shoved a microphone in my face, his tone dripping with accusation. "Reports say there's been a serious accident due to Shaw Corp's negligence. Care to comment?"

Behind him, livestreamers were already spinning their narratives, painting us as heartless capitalists who cared nothing for worker safety. The comments scrolling across their screens called for boycotts before we'd even spoken a word.

I stepped forward, taking the microphone from Glasses Guy. "I'm Daniel Davis, project manager for Paradise Valley Estates. First, I need to correct misinformation that's spreading online: the worker is not dead. He's receiving the best medical care possible. Please don't be misled by online rumors."

"Sources say no supervisors were on site when the accident happened," Glasses Guy pressed, not backing down. "Does Shaw Corp acknowledge their management failures? Who would buy homes built by a company that disregards worker safety?"

I had to fight to keep my expression neutral. This guy wasn't asking questions—he was making accusations disguised as inquiries.

"I completely reject your characterization," I replied, meeting his gaze directly. "My office is on-site. While the accident occurred after regular hours, security personnel were present. We had no safety management lapses whatsoever."

I leaned closer to him, my voice sharpening. "I'd like to ask this 'reporter'—were you present when the accident occurred? You weren't there, yet you're making baseless, leading statements? I stand by every word I say. Do you stand by yours?"

His confidence faltered momentarily. "I—I wasn't there, but the accident happened, didn't it? You can't deny that."

Sean stepped forward, his tone measured but firm. "As a journalist, your statements should be based on facts, not speculation. If we wanted to deny responsibility, why would we be standing here?"

He continued, his voice gaining strength. "After the accident, Daniel stayed at the site while I accompanied the injured worker to the hospital. And our CEO, Anna Shaw, despite being five months pregnant with twins, came immediately and has remained here the entire time."

Sean moved closer to Glasses Guy. "You know nothing about the facts, yet you're spreading rumors. I seriously question whether you're actually a journalist. Can you show us your press credentials?"

The man's face twitched, but he recovered quickly. "If your CEO has been here the whole time, why isn't she facing the public? Where is she?"

The livestreamers immediately joined the pile-on. "Yeah, bring out Shaw! Otherwise, how do we know you're not lying?" "Show us Shaw or admit you're deceiving everyone!"

My heart sank. Anna was exhausted and in no condition to face this mob. Sean tried to explain her condition, but Glasses Guy seized the moment.

"They're lying!" he shouted triumphantly. "Shaw Corp doesn't care about human lives! Paradise Valley Estates is a death trap! We should boycott everything Shaw Corp touches!"

I tried to remind everyone to lower their voices—this was a hospital, after all—but was immediately accused of trying to silence them. Glasses Guy grew even bolder.

"Why don't you bring your CEO out here? Because she left hours ago, right? We can't believe a word you say. Is the injured worker even still alive? Companies like yours never truly care about workers. We demand justice!"

As his tirade reached fever pitch, another reporter nudged him. "Hey, wait—someone's coming out."

Sean and I moved aside as Anna emerged, supported by Rachel with Clayton following close behind. Even in her loose coat, her pregnant belly was unmistakable. Her face was pale from exhaustion, but her expression remained resolute.

Glasses Guy's jaw dropped. "That's impossible. I was told she left hours ago..."

"Who told you our CEO had left?" Sean's voice was ice-cold. "Ms. Shaw has been here since we first received news of the accident. She hasn't even had dinner except for sharing food with the worker's family. Anyone here can verify that."

I noticed Glasses Guy trying to slip away through the crowd. I caught Sean's eye and nodded slightly toward the retreating figure. Sean and Rachel immediately moved to follow him.

Anna's POV

Daniel handed me the microphone with a subtle nod of encouragement. Camera lenses zoomed in on my face, their predatory focus making my skin crawl. I straightened my posture, one hand instinctively shielding my belly as I faced the media vultures circling for a story. All those hungry eyes, waiting for me to break.

*You've faced worse, Anna. This is nothing.*

"Through the livestream, I've already been made aware of what happened here tonight," I began, my voice steadier than I'd anticipated. "I'm here to tell you that Shaw Corp takes full responsibility for every project and every person involved. Paradise Valley Estates represents our commitment to creating an exceptional living community. When safety incidents occur, we don't hide—we act."

I paused, letting my gaze sweep across the gathered crowd. The twins shifted inside me, as if lending their strength.

"The injured worker is currently in surgery. I personally guarantee that Shaw Corp will spare no expense to ensure he receives the best medical care possible." My voice hardened as I continued. "However, I must strongly urge everyone not to believe the deliberately harmful narratives being spread online. Shaw Corp will gather evidence against media outlets and individuals maliciously spreading rumors, and we will pursue legal action."

I searched for a particular camera, staring directly into its lens, imagining my words piercing through the screen to whoever orchestrated this circus.

"Shaw Corp has already contacted law enforcement, as we suspect this incident may be deliberate sabotage and an attempt to smear Paradise Valley Estates. I trust the legal system will reveal the truth."

As I spoke, I watched the comment sections on nearby livestreams begin to shift. The paid trolls were scattering like roaches when the lights come on, their toxic comments overwhelmed by viewers expressing support.

Behind the camera's view, my mind raced. This wasn't just about Paradise Valley Estates—the real target was Skylake District. And I'd bet my entire fortune that George Simpson was pulling the strings. With the Murphy family backing me, who else would dare make such a desperate move?

My fingers tightened around the microphone. *I will not let them win. Not now, not ever.*

When the commenter tide fully turned, I allowed myself a small breath of relief. "Thank you for your concern. It's getting late, so please disperse and take care." I handed the microphone back to Daniel, maintaining my composure until the cameras finally lowered.

Catherine appeared at my side, slipping a supportive arm around my waist. "Those vultures," she whispered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Nothing but trashy tabloids doing dirty work for money."

"Can we trace them?" I asked, still riding the surge of adrenaline. "I want names."

"Difficult," Catherine sighed. "Some are just hired guns, and others aren't even real journalists."

My phone vibrated in my pocket. The screen displayed a name that made me pause: Phillip Murphy. Catherine's father rarely contacted me directly.