Chapter 111

The media room on the first floor was designated exclusively for press conferences. Its design was genius.

With a separate, hidden exit on the stage area, it was designed to allow a spokesperson from the company to give a statement and then leave immediately afterwards without going near the reporters.

Victor and I waited behind a door with a two-way mirror watching dozens of reporters file into the press conference room and take their seats.

My stomach was in knots as I watched the room full of people buzzing with curiosity. They all had video cameras and their phones ready to record me as I read the prepared statement.

Geez, it meant there would be recordings of me speaking on the evening news. I didn’t want to be on TV.

I wanted to ask Victor to do the presentation, but I knew he was right. It was my family’s company and my father who was ill. I had to do it.

I sent a prayer to the goddess to let me be able to speak clearly and not make a fool of myself in front of the entire city.

I took a minute to do my calming deep-breathing exercises and cleared my mind.

Victor gave me a side hug. “Are you ready?” He was being super supportive, and I was grateful to him.

“I think so,” I replied.

I was scared, but I was also determined. I was learning that it was better to face the things that scared you rather than let them continue to terrify you.

“You can do this, Daisy,” he told me. “I’ll be right there with you.”

“Okay,” I said. “Let’s get this over with.”

Victor opened the door, and we walked out onto the stage. With a hand on my lower back, he guided me to the podium, where I was blinded by camera flash.

All sound and movement stopped suddenly, and the room went silent as they waited for me to speak.

I laid the tablet on the podium and cleared my throat as my heartbeat thundered in my ears. Then I began to read the statement.

“Um. Good afternoon. My …my name is Daisy Wilson.” I took another deep breath and imagined that I was still in my office, reading the statement to Victor, and I felt myself relax a little.

“I am Alex Wilson’s daughter. I understand that many people are concerned about my father’s health. Even though I will not go into the details of his illness, I can assure you that he is very much alive.”

I was doing it! As long as I didn’t look out over the crowd, I could read the statement without stuttering. By the time I was finished, I was feeling pretty darn proud of myself.

Then came the questions, and my bubble of confidence popped.

“Miss Wilson, how long does your father have to live?” an older male close to the podium shouted.

It was appalling that the reporters were more concerned about covering Alex‘s death than all the good things he had done in his life.

“Um, I… I don’t know. The …the doctors haven’t said.” It was the truth. “Only the Goddess knows how long any of us have left in this world.”

“Is it true that you were being trained quickly to take over the company?”

“Yuh …yes,” I replied, cursing myself for being unable to control my stutter.

I was letting these people unnerve me. I had to try harder to stay calm. Victor was beside me, and I was safe.

The same man asked another question. “What makes you think an inexperienced young woman like yourself will be able to run a large company like Wilson, Inc.?”

“I …I am be …being ….” The words wouldn’t come from my mouth any longer. My face flamed with embarrassment as I mutely shook my head.

Victor leaned toward the microphone, and I gratefully stepped back.

“The fact that Miss Wilson is young and a female has no bearing on her ability to run a business of any size,” Victor began.

“My fiancée is learning everything she needs to know and will be capable of running her family’s business when the sad day comes that Alex passes away.”

“Mr. Klein, are you teaching her?” a female reporter asked.

Victor smiled at me as more camera flashes lit up the room. “Yes, I am. And I’m proud to say she learns quickly and has a natural understanding of business matters.”

The first man shouted again. “Will Miss Wilson take over for her father as leader of the United Association of Alphas?”

I felt a jolt of anger. It seemed like they were looking for something to be outraged over.

My anger made Diana stir in my mind. “You must not let them get away with this. You must speak out, Daisy, and you must set them straight.”

“That question is absurd,” I replied. “Everyone knows Victor Klein was approved by the association to be my father’s successor. He has been groomed for the position for a long time.”

“Excellent, Daisy,” Diana said. “You set them straight.”

“I can speak better when I’m angry,” I told her.

“Then stay angry, and don’t let them intimidate you,” Diana advised.

“Miss Wilson,” another man called out. “Can you bring the company the same profits your father has over the years?”

“Absolutely,” I replied. “I will be following my father’s business plan with a few modern tweaks. Everything, even businesses, must evolve with the times to remain solvent and remain the best in their area.”

“Wilson Inc. will unveil a new product line and services in the first quarter of next year,” I revealed. “However, our current products and services will remain available.”

The room buzzed again, and the questions came hard and fast.

“Can you tell us more?”

“Will your plans create more jobs?”

“How long until we hear more?”

“Were these ideas yours or your father’s?”

I put up my hand until the room grew quiet.

“All your questions will be answered in time,” I said. “Now I must get back to work.”

Victor escorted me through the door with the two-way mirror and to a private elevator that took us down to the parking garage.

We climbed into the Lamborghini, and Victor started at the engine.

“That was excellent. I’m so proud of you,” he said as he drove us out of the garage. “Some of those reporters were going for blood, and you shut them right down.”

“I’m sorry. I should have spoken to you about my plans for the company before mentioning them to the reporters.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you have been thinking about such things,” he said. “The company and your mother’s charity will be in good hands with you.”

“I’m flattered you think so,” I said. I looked up at the sky and smiled. “But I’m glad the press conference is over with. Dealing with reporters is never going to be my favorite thing.”

But I felt exhilaration for having survived it. Facing the things that scared me the most was making me stronger and more confident. I felt like dancing.

“You need some downtime,” Victor declared. “I’m taking you home to change and see Alex for a few minutes.”

I looked at my skirt and blouse. “Why do I need to change my clothes?”

“You need some fun for a change. I’m taking you out to dinner and to do some dancing,” he replied. “Are you up for some good food and doing the tango?”

I clapped my hands with glee. Victor must have read my mind. “That’s almost worth having to deal with dozens of reporters.”

Victor patted my hand. “The place I’m going to take you to is extraordinary. I’m sure you’ll love it.”