CHAPTER 301: THE PRESS CONFERENCE

The next day, Nathan held a press conference. The hall was packed, cameras flashing. Reporters leaned forward, pens poised, recorders running.

As Nathan began recounting the events from the night before, the room grew still. The reporters noted down every detail, curious and shocked.

A reporter chimed in, "Why did Megan turn against the very family that raised her? Was it jealousy? Was she angry you cast her aside when the real daughter returned? Or is it something else?"

"We never meant to cast Megan aside," Nathan said clearly. "We treated her as one of our own. We gave her love, trust, and everything she could have wanted. But the truth is, she never saw us as family. She hated us from the start. Her goal was to take control and destroy the family. But that plan failed with Anne’s return. She tried to kill Anne twice to secure her position."

A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd.

"Why would she hate your family so deeply?" another reporter called out. "Was there some long-standing grudge?"

Nathan nodded, then launched into the deeper history of Hugo’s vendetta against Oliver. He narrated the years of scheming and betrayal.

"He is no ordinary man," Nathan added grimly. "He is a gangster. And I’ve got proof."

He held up a thick stack of documents before passing them to his assistant, who moved quickly, distributing them among the journalists.

The reporters grew solemn as they flipped through the pages. Within seconds, whispers of disbelief and astonishment spread through the hall. Some reporters were already noting down furiously. Others exchanged stunned glances.

Nathan continued with his steady voice, "The world needs to know who Hugo really is, and why he can never be allowed to walk free again. That’s why this press conference is today."

Nathan swept his gaze across the sea of reporters, who looked at him eagerly, waiting for what he would reveal next.

"My father had long suspected Hugo’s criminal dealings. He started gathering evidence quietly. When he finally handed that evidence over, it sent Hugo to prison. But that wasn’t the end. Hugo wanted revenge. He tore our family apart. He kidnapped my sister, planted Megan in our home like a weapon, and manipulated my parents until they turned on each other. He broke this family from the inside out."

Gasps and murmurs echoed through the hall yet again as the unexpected family scandal came to light.

What Nathan didn’t say was about Oliver’s past mistakes. He only revealed what Hugo had done back then and blamed him for destroying a peaceful family.

The revelations pinned everyone in their seats. Some remained silent while others whispered in disbelief. The idea that Hugo had abducted Anne and inserted another in her place to rot the family from within was something out of a crime novel. Yet it was all real.

Nathan’s voice pierced the air again. "I’m asking all of you to pray for us. My father is still in the ICU, fighting for his life. Everything we are going through—it’s all because of Hugo’s twisted need for revenge. This man should never set foot outside prison again."

A voice from the crowd erupted, "We are with you."

Others joined in with soft affirmations and nods.

Nathan exhaled, the tension easing from his shoulders. It was done. The narrative set. The evidence Augustine had provided was now in the hands of the press and the authorities. With the public now seeing Hugo for what he really was, there would be no sympathy left for him.

Hugo’s fate was sealed. There was no escape for him this time.

The moment Nathan’s press conference hit the internet, social media exploded. Everyone started cursing Hugo.

"This man is a monster. He belongs behind bars for life."

"He used his own daughter and lover for revenge? Disgusting."

"Lock him up."

"He should be punished severely."

While the majority condemned Hugo and called for the harshest punishment, another group of people praised Oliver. Within hours, he was being hailed as a hero. The man had put himself between his daughter and a blade.

Guests who had witnessed the attack firsthand began sharing their accounts, describing how he had stepped in and taken the blow meant for Anne. People couldn’t stop talking.

Already a respected figure in the legal world, Oliver’s reputation soared even higher. His name was trending as a father who put his life on the line to protect his pregnant daughter.

Support flooded in. His law firm couldn’t keep up with the constant phone calls. Bouquets and "get well soon" cards covered desks and countertops.

While the city seemed to stand united behind the Granets, Gabriel had no interest in knowing what was going on with them. His mind was already occupied with other things.

In his office across town, Gabriel sat stiff in his chair, a storm brewing beneath his eyes as he flipped through the report in his hand. He was already disturbed when he learned about Anne’s pregnancy. But what truly sent his blood boiling was his father handing over all the shares to that unborn child.

"That old fool," he muttered. "I’m his real son. I’m the rightful heir. And he gives everything away to an unborn baby? No. I won’t stand for this."

He shot up from his chair and stormed toward the door, seething in rage.

"Sir," his assistant called out, rushing after him. "You have a meeting with the board. What should I tell them?"

"Tell Denis to take care of it. I have something more important to deal with," Gabriel barked without slowing down.

He shoved the door open and vanished into the hallway.

His assistant stopped, watching him go, then let out a long sigh. "Here we go again..." he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

~~~~~~~~~~

Gabriel stormed into the family mansion with barely contained rage, his face set in a tight scowl. He headed straight for Dimitri’s room, fully expecting to confront his father then and there. But the room was empty.

He turned on his heel and came out of the room. "Dad... Where are you?" he shouted, his voice booming through the hall.

The servants flinched at the sound, freezing mid-task as they turned to Gabriel. The tension radiating from him swept through the house like a storm front. No one dared move or speak.

He stalked toward the study next, knowing Dimitri often spent his afternoons there, buried in books or listening to old records. But that old man wasn’t there either.

Gabriel stopped, his brows furrowed. "Where the hell is he?"