Chapter 194
Samuel didn't look at him again. Instead, he turned on the TV and stared at the frozen image on the screen.
It was a shot of Emily from a news preview.
She sat at the press conference podium looking dignified, confident, and determined.
Staring at that face, a cold glint flashed in Samuel's eyes.
"Emily..."
He muttered under his breath, his voice extremely low.
Brian stood nearby watching Samuel's back, feeling like something was off but unable to put his finger on it.
He sneaked a glance at Emily's smug face on the TV screen, and anger burned in his heart again.
"Bitch, don't get too cocky! One day, I'll make you understand what happens when you cross me!"
Brian swore silently to himself, his smile becoming even more flattering.
"Samuel, the news says Emily is holding a press conference tomorrow to officially take over the Johnson Group. Should we do something about it?"
He asked cautiously, but Samuel rejected his suggestion without even turning around.
Brian opened his mouth to say something, but seeing Samuel's unapproachable demeanor, he swallowed his words.
"Alright, whatever you say."
He obediently stepped aside, picked up a broom to clean up the broken glass on the floor, and secretly observed Samuel's expression while cleaning.
Samuel stood by the window, looking at the vineyard outside, his eyes deep and unreadable.
Brian felt increasingly uneasy but didn't dare ask more questions. He could only nervously put on a smile, afraid of upsetting Samuel somehow.
Meanwhile, in a cheap hotel in Shadow City.
Sophia lay on the bed, holding her phone. The screen showed news about Emily's upcoming press conference.
Her face was pale, her eyes red and swollen.
"Emily... why do you get everything?"
She gritted her teeth hard, clutching her phone tightly.
Why did Emily get to be in the spotlight, become William's fiancée, move into the Brown family, and take over the Johnson Group?
But she was like a stray dog, humiliated by James, abandoned by everyone, stuck in this shabby hotel barely surviving.
It wasn't fair.
It was so unfair!
Sophia suddenly sat up, her eyes gleaming with madness.
She picked up her phone, opened her contacts, and found the numbers of some media reporters she used to know.
These reporters had once sucked up to her and received favors from the Johnson family.
Although the Johnson family had fallen now, surely someone would remember old times!
The call connected, and Sophia's voice was eerily calm.
"Patrick, it's me, Sophia."
The person on the other end was clearly stunned. "Ms. Johnson, how are you..."
"Cut the crap, I need your help with something."
Sophia interrupted him directly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Emily is holding a press conference tomorrow. I want you to bring some people and ask her some 'interesting' questions."
Patrick sounded intrigued and asked curiously.
"What kind of questions?"
"Like, ask her where her father Brian is, ask her why she never mentions her mother. Also, doesn't she have a sister? Why isn't that sister at the press conference? You should know how to ask these questions, right?"
Sophia smiled, her eyes full of malice.
The person on the other end was silent for a moment, then a low laugh came through.
"Ms. Johnson, you're stirring up trouble."
"Just tell me if you'll help or not."
Sophia rudely cut him off, not wanting to waste time.
"Help, of course I'll help. But you know, these days when you ask people to do things, there's always..."
How could Sophia not understand what he was hinting at?
She replied coldly, "Money's not a problem. Twenty thousand per person after it's done. The trickier the questions, the more money you get."
"Deal!"
After hanging up, Sophia made several more calls, saying the same thing.
After finishing all this, she leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling, a vicious smile on her lips.
"Emily, you want to be in the spotlight? Well, I won't let you have your way. Tomorrow, I'll make you lose face in front of everyone."
The next day, at the press conference.
The large conference room at Johnson Group headquarters had been set up as a press conference venue.
A row of tables and chairs sat on stage, with a backdrop reading "Johnson Group Press Conference" in large letters.
Below the stage sat media reporters, their cameras aimed at the podium.
Emily stood backstage, took a deep breath, and straightened her business suit.
She wore a well-tailored black suit, her long hair pinned up, makeup perfect, looking sharp and elegant.
This was her first public appearance - she absolutely couldn't show any weakness.
A message appeared on her phone, from William.
[Something came up at the company, I'll be there later. Good luck.]
Emily smiled and replied "okay," then handed her phone to her assistant and walked onto the stage.
As soon as she appeared, camera flashes went off.
Emily calmly walked to the center of the podium, bowed slightly to the reporters below, looking composed.
"Dear media friends, hello! Thank you all for coming to the Johnson Group's press conference today."
Her voice was steady and strong, neither humble nor arrogant.
"I've called this press conference to announce two things. First, starting today, I will officially take over the Johnson Group as Chairman and CEO. Second, the Johnson Group will undergo a complete reorganization, replan our development strategy, and aim to return to the top of the industry within three years."
As soon as she finished speaking, hands shot up below.
Emily glanced around and randomly picked a reporter in the front row.
"This reporter, please ask your question."
The reporter stood up with a professional smile, but his eyes held some ill intent.
"Ms. Johnson, I'm from Burn Financial. First, congratulations on taking over the Johnson Group, but I'd like to ask a rather personal question. Would you mind answering?"
Hearing this, Emily knew this person was coming after her.
But her expression didn't change, her voice remained calm.
"Go ahead."
"May I ask where your father Brian Johnson is now? Why didn't he attend today's press conference? As far as I know, Mr. Johnson was previously at the helm of the Johnson Group. His sudden disappearance - does it have anything to do with you taking over the Johnson Group?"
As soon as this question came out, the atmosphere at the scene became awkward.
Many reporters whispered among themselves below.
But Emily remained calm, even showing a faint smile.
"Thank you for your question. Regarding my father Brian's whereabouts..."
She paused slightly here.