Chapter 7 - The Desperate Morning Press Conference
By 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, the financial world was in a frenzy.
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg ran front-page headlines detailing the dramatic coup at Aurelia Systems:
BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS AUDREY VANCE REVEALED AS MAJORITY OWNER OF AURELIA SYSTEMS; CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER TERMINATED FOR FRAUD.
In a desperate, chaotic bid to save herself, Camilla Price held an impromptu press conference on the steps of the Boston Federal Courthouse, surrounded by her private defense attorney.
"I am a victim of corporate retaliation and domestic jealousy!" Camilla sobbed into the bank of microphones, wearing a modest black dress, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "Audrey Vance is an abusive, insecure woman who used her billions to destroy my career because her husband fell in love with me! I never stole any earrings! I never embezzled any funds! This is a malicious smear campaign!"
Before her attorney could finish reading their prepared statement, Northstar Holdings' communications team released a synchronized digital press packet.
Included in the packet were three devastating pieces of evidence:
High-definition security footage from my Beacon Hill master bedroom, showing Camilla rummaging through my jewelry safe and slipping the Cartier earrings into her handbag.
The certified bank transfer records showing $350,000 monthly payments flowing directly from Aurelia Systems into Camilla’s mother’s offshore account.
Audio recordings of Camilla and Julian laughing on a private jet, discussing how they would "bleed the company dry before Audrey figures it out."
The reporters on the courthouse steps immediately turned their screens toward Camilla, shouting questions:
"Miss Price! Is that you in the bedroom video?!"
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"How do you explain the Cayman Islands bank transfers?!"
Camilla’s face twisted in sheer terror. She pushed past the microphones, covering her face with her jacket, and sprinted toward her lawyer’s car as the media swarm chased her down the street.
