“Celeste, we have much to sort out. It will take weeks to unravel all of this, not to mention the criminal charges your uncle is facing. And you, as well.” He added nervously. Crap. That was right - the documents leaked meant that I’d initially been on the hook for the fraud, racketeering and other slew of crimes that had been done under my forged name. Luckily, the police and press seemed to be aware that there was more to the story, especially after seeing the video from the flash drive that Sterling had shown during the meeting. No one wanted to falsely accuse me of something now. We also had to let them know about Elijah’s involvement, and where we’d left him at the safehouse. They were on their way to collect him, and I wasn’t sure if we’d get charged for holding him there. Luckily, one of my family’s lawyers was already working with the police to resolve the matter. He worked with me, not my uncle, so I wasn’t worried about him handling things.
“Well Reginald, until we get things sorted, let’s take a pause on any major decisions, yeah?” I asked, and he quickly agreed.
“Yes, this will be quite the shakeup.” He said, shaking his head. “I’m so disappointed in Gideon. If I’d had any idea…” He said, his brow furrowing. I reached out, patting his arm.
“Even I didn’t know. And I want to thank you for always supporting me.” I said earnestly. Reginald looked at me, his face softening.
“Your parents would be so proud of you.” He said, and I felt a pang of pain at his words. My parents were likely killed by Gideon, and while I might never get solid proof, their loss felt new now that I knew that it wasn’t an accident. Dante gripped my hand, sensing my emotions. We were the same, me and him. Both orphans in our own way.
“Celeste!” A reporter yelled, practically bursting from the barrier the police had put up to keep them out of the hallway. “Celeste, any comment on your uncle’s arrest?”
“Celeste! Do you still intend to remain as CEO of Harringday after this scandal?”
“Was the livestream pre-planned or spontaneous? Who set it up?”
The questions came one after another, and I turned to face Liam, Vigo, Dante and Sterling. The police were done with questioning us at this point, and it was time for us to face the public. Without having to ask, Sterling took my other hand, and we marched toward the press, ready to tell the world the truth.
Chapter 45
Liam
The flashes were blinding as we stepped out to the waiting sea of the public, the press, and anyone who was nearby who had been watching the livestream from Celeste’s account.
The roar of voices blended together as the questions were thrown at us faster than we could answer. I planted myself at Celeste’s side, shoulders squared, a warning to keep distance rolling off me. Vigo and Sterling flanked the other side, and Dante stood guard behind her. Cameras surged forward despite the police barriers as every reporter attempted to get a reaction from us.
Celeste stood tall, calm in a way only she could manage after everything that had happened. She had just dismantled Gideon’s plans, reclaimed her seat, and now was a part of Manticore Tech.Even I had trouble keeping everything straight. I knew how much she’d been through in order to stand here, and I wasn’t about to let anyone bother her now.
“Celeste! Any comment on your uncle’s arrest?” someone shouted.
“How long have you known there was a conspiracy against you?” another added, each person trying to out-shout the others. The questions piled up, pressing down like waves.
“I think the livestream speaks for itself. We will be working with the authorities until all parties are held responsible. As of right now, I am still CEO and have no plans on changing that.” She said, her voice polished like she hadn’t just been through the most stressful twenty-four hours of her life.
“Pack Lockwood, did you really blackmail Miss Harringday into a fake relationship?” I cringed eternally. Deciding to out our contract was going to make us look bad, but in the grand scheme of things it seemed so small now.
I leaned forward, voice cutting through the noise. “We will make a statement soon. For now, Pack Lockwood stands by Celeste. We have complete trust in her and her capabilities as the newest stakeholder in Manticore Tech.”
Vigo smirked at the crowd, adding with that cocky edge of his, “And trust me, the story’s a lot juicier than what you’ve seen on your feeds. But that’s all you’re getting for now.”
A ripple of laughter went through the mob, but it didn’t ease the hunger in their eyes. Cameras kept flashing, pens scratching against paper, the air alive with speculation.
Celeste gave a small, steady nod. “There will be a time for full explanations,” she said, voice clear but short. “This is still under investigation. That’s all for now.”
And with that, we turned to leave. I pressed closer, protecting her as we passed the reaching microphones and flashing of cameras. Sterling cleared the way, and soon we were close to the SUV. We were almost there. I thought the worst was behind us, that is, until I felt her stumble.
“Celeste?” I asked, catching her elbow. Her pupils were blown wide, and her skin was flushed. I could feel the tremor in her body as she righted herself.
Vigo swore under his breath. “Oh, hell. Not now.”
The scent hit me a second later. The most beautiful, delicious, pheromone laced scent in the world. Her heat was here.
Dante’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he leaned closer to shield her. Sterling’s hand pressed firm at the small of her back, urging her forward faster.
“Liam-” Celeste’s voice broke, breathless and needy.
“I know, love,” I said quickly, pulling her tight against me as if my body alone could block out the scent, the stares, the danger of her unraveling here in public. “We’ve got you. Just hold on a little longer. We’re almost to the car.”
A rogue reporter had broken away from the crowd, rushing over toward us. The alpha in me bristled. They would not see her like this.
