Chapter 4. Press Conference

Blake’s POV

The cameras went berserk as soon as I made an appearance. I’m sure I looked as composed and confident as a CEO would look, but deep down, I was a nervous wreck.

“You’ve got this, Blake. You’ve got this.”

I told myself repeatedly.

I walked to the podium and smiled confidently at the team of reporters.

“Hello,” I said into the mic.

The questions rolled immediately.

“Miss Blake, how does it feel to be the new CEO of a multi-million company?”

I remembered all the lectures Judy, the head of the company’s PR team, had given me.

Always take a moment before answering.

“Frankly, I’m still in shock, considering the circumstances that led to this.”

I was tempted to turn sideways and look at Judy for her approval, but I couldn’t risk appearing unsure of my environment.

Another reporter threw a question at me. “How do you intend to head the company? This would be the first time you would be even involved in the affairs of the company. Do you believe you are truly capable of keeping up to the standards of your father and late brother?”

If I were a celebrity, this would have been the perfect opportunity to feed into the emotion and make a very good show to gain public sympathy. But Judy had warned me; this was one of the numerous questions she had groomed on. She warned that although I could show a pinch of sorrowful emotion, I must also appear like I was handling everything quite well.

I had to appear like someone who knew how to take any blow.

Sympathetic but yet composed with great confidence.

All for the shareholders.

“My brother and I are different people.”

Emphasis on my brother and not my late brother. It was disgusting, yet Judy had insisted on it so the public could see our family was still grieving.

This world is a world of games, I wonder just how many Dan had to play.

I continued. “We are different people, and certainly, no one would expect us to use the same leadership methods. I may have been absent for years with the help of my father and our family of staff, but I am confident I will make up for the lost years. This company has been my family’s legacy for years, and I plan on making it stay that way.”

“Even when you have not heard any contact with your family for ten years. For someone who seems to want to keep the family legacy alive, you don’t show that you value family. I mean, you only just returned after your brother’s death.”

What the hell was happening? This question was not supposed to be there.

I knew all eyes were on me, and the cameras were directly zoomed in on my face. Any sight of wrong emotion and I was toasted.

I controlled the panic rising inside of me.

I smiled bitterly. “I assure you that I have been in contact with my family for the past ten years. And both my brother and father made visits to me. We may always be in the center of the spotlight, but not all of your personal life is public knowledge. Please disregard the rumors.”

“Including rumors that your father disowned you after you became a dr*g addict.”

There was silence for a minute, and then a sound erupted from my system.

I was laughing, and I didn’t give a damn that the whole world was watching.

“I am so sorry. I just can’t…oh my goodness…” I laughed. “Dr*gs? Judy, did you know about this?”

Judy was smiling. “I am as surprised as you are, ma’am.”

“Wow. Apparently, I was a drug addict without me knowing. Oh boy. Dan would have had a good laugh at this. Is there any other thing I need to know about myself?”

A male reporter replied. “Yes. You’ve been in rehab all these years. And you were brought back to the public eye after your brother’s death.”

I’m sure an astonished look was plastered on my face. Some of the reporters seemed to have realized how ridiculous the propaganda sounded.

“Didn’t all of you dig into my whole life? My college and work?”

The same guy answered with a chuckle. “Clones of you, to keep the secret in.”

“Well, I guess y’all better watch out. This might be a clone standing right in front of you.”

The crowd chuckled.

“Okay, any more ridiculous rumors I need to address?”

Another reporter shot another question at me. “What do you have to say concerning the rumors that most shareholders disagree with you being the CEO?”

“I’m yet to meet anyone who does. And you would agree, it’s normal for anyone to have doubts. Plus, can you blame them for worrying about their money?”

The way I said the last line caused a crackle among the crowd.

I smiled genuinely.

“I would be worried too if the fate of my money was tied to the return of the ‘crackhead daughter.’ Wouldn’t you?”

If I didn’t know the media well, I would have said I had bought them over forever. But I knew that whatever impression I had managed to make was only going to last till the next big scandal.

“It’s perfectly fine for anyone to have doubts, but I assure you that those doubts will be cleared soon. Tarvex is more than just a company. It’s a community and family for our shareholders, staff, and clients. It’s always been our legacy to ensure the satisfaction of our community. I, Blake Sinclair, will continue to uphold this legacy just like my ancestors did.”

“Perfect. You were born for this life, Blake.”

I felt high with all the praise Judy heaped on me.

“Thank you, Judy.”

“Now, don’t get too high on your success. The press can still spin this however they want. But I doubt they will, as there is not much to spin. You were collected and calm, and you handled all the questions very well. A few minutes from now, we’ll see what the papers print. I will call a few friends.”

“Yeah, keep me updated.”

Grace stepped beside me. She was my brother’s assistant when he was helping me adjust to my new position.

“Where have you been?”

Like me, Grace is blonde with quite the features that can place her in the category of pretty women.

She smiled apologetically. “I’m so sorry. I had to go use the bathroom.”

“What’s next on my schedule?”

She scrolled through her tablet. “Umm, a meeting with Mr. Barnes and then…”

A voice cut Grace short.

“Blake Sinclair?”

Both of our eyes sought the owner of the voice.

A man in a well-tailored cream suit smiled at me. Yet I could see his smile didn’t reach his eyes, and I didn’t fail to miss the condescending look in it.

It wasn’t a surprise as the reporters hadn’t been wrong about the resistance against me.

And I knew the man before. Part of my training for the past week had been getting acquainted with the faces of the shareholders.

Stephen Edwards is an avid shareholder in the company and a huge influencer on the board. In summary, he has a very good ownership stake and is my biggest opponent.

Regardless, I smiled at him, “Mr. Edwards.”

“Oh, you do know me. I’m honored, but still, I will introduce myself. Stephen Edwards at your service.”

I took the man’s extended hands.

“Blake Sinclair.”

His hands were firm, almost as if they didn’t belong to a man who was well past his forties.

“That was a very good press conference. You handled it quite well; I must say I’m surprised. I wasn’t expecting that, but again, Sinclair’s are always surprising. I guess ten years away doesn’t change the family blood.”

I smiled.

“Indeed, family bloodline is family. Distance can’t change that.”

“Your brother was a good man and a good leader. I hope you don’t disappoint. You never know who might be lurking around to snatch the family’s legacy.”

A direct indication that he meant war, and there was no hiding it.

“Believe me, Sinclairs never disappoint. You had an emergency during the last board meeting; I hope you won’t miss the next.”

“I certainly won’t. See you around, Blake.”

He walked away.

Grace spoke as soon as he was out of earshot.

“I have never liked that man, and your brother didn’t. Always said he was trouble.”

I agreed with my brother. That man was bad news, and I could feel it in the way his eyes challenged me.