“My uncle, Harrison Vance, and the board will oversee the transition,” Jonathan continued.

“My sole focus from this moment on is protecting my children and supporting Mariana.”

“The allegations against her are entirely false, fabricated by individuals who wish to see this family destroyed.”

“Thank you. I will take no questions.”

He stepped away from the podium.

The reporters surged forward, their voices a wall of noise.

Jonathan did not look back as he walked out of the frame.

A minute later, the door to my holding room opened.

Jonathan walked in, loosening his tie with one hand.

He looked as if a massive physical weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“You did it,” I said, standing up to meet him.

“I did what I had to do,” he said.

“You gave them the empire,” I said. “Harrison has exactly what he wanted.”

“He has the title,” Jonathan said. “But he doesn’t have the power. Not yet.”

Benjamin entered behind him, his phone buzzing in his hand.

“The stock is already dropping,” Benjamin said. “But the media is shifting. The narrative is changing from a custody scandal to a corporate coup.”