Chapter 18 - Elara's Stance
While Julian waged war in the boardroom, Elara was not sitting quietly at home waiting for the fallout.
Inside the Vance Foundation headquarters, Elara stood before a battery of news microphones gathered in the media briefing room.
She wore a simple, tailored navy suit, looking every bit the poised, unshakeable matriarch of a modern family.
Behind her sat the directors of three major children’s hospitals and five prominent community outreach centers funded by the Vance family.
"For the past seventy-two hours, certain individuals have attempted to turn our family into a tabloid circus," Elara began, looking straight down the main news cameras.
The room grew quiet as the reporters leaned forward to record every word.
"They have attacked my character, questioned the legitimacy of my newborn daughter, and attempted to weaponize our wealth to inflict emotional cruelty."
Elara paused, her hands resting flat against the podium, completely steady.
"I grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Queens," Elara continued, her voice resonating with fierce conviction.
"I learned early on that family isn't defined by corporate shares or centuries-old pedigree. It is defined by loyalty, protection, and unconditional love."
A reporter in the front row raised his hand. "Mrs. Vance, what is your response to Mrs. Victoria Vance's claims of parental alienation and corporate manipulation?"
Elara leaned closer to the microphone, her eyes burning with an authority that left no room for doubt.
"Victoria Vance was exiled from our lives because she physically assaulted a pregnant woman in her own home," Elara said bluntly, laying the truth bare before the entire world.
A collective gasp rippled through the press corps.
"She does not want a granddaughter," Elara declared. "She wants a trophy to control. But she will never touch my child again."
She stepped away from the podium without answering further questions, leaving the press room erupting into chaotic shouting.
Waiting in the wings was Ross, holding his encrypted phone.
"Ma'am, that was magnificent," Ross said, handing her a bottle of water.
"Did Julian win the vote?" Elara asked immediately, her hand trembling slightly as the adrenaline peaked.
"He did more than win, Mrs. Vance," Ross replied with a rare, grim smile. "Marcus Vance was arrested by federal agents ten minutes ago on the board floor."
Elara let out a breath she felt she had been holding for days.
"And Victoria?"
Ross’s smile instantly vanished, his face clouding over with renewed alarm.
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"She slipped past our security detail at the Plaza Hotel," Ross said, his voice dropping to a tense whisper. "She’s vanished."
***
