Chapter 225 · My Hockey Roommate’s Filthy Desires

Chapter 225

ARIA'S POVThe next morning, the sun rose over the city like a brilliant, sharp blade. I sat in the back of the sleek black car, my fingers laced tightly together in my lap.The media hall was only ten minutes away, and my phone was already exploding with notifications.The internet was still completely on fire from yesterday's leak, but inside my chest, the panic had completely dried up. There was only a cold, hard focus left behind.Brandon sat right next to me, his presence large and comforting in the quiet car. He didn't say a word about Julian. He didn't ask me if I was sure about doing this alone.Instead, he reached across the leather seat, took my hands in his, and brought them up to his lips. He pressed a warm, lingering kiss against my knuckles."You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Aria," Brandon said, his deep voice carrying a wave of absolute certainty. "But I know you want to prove yourself today. Just remember, no matter what happens inside that room, I am standing right behind you. My legal teams, my security, and my entire heart are yours. Use my strength if yours starts to shake."I looked into his dark eyes and felt a sudden rush of warmth. He wasn't trying to take over. He was simply the solid ground beneath my feet. "Thank you, Brandon," I whispered, squeezing his hand back. "I won't shake."When the car pulled up to the venue, the scene outside was chaotic. Dozens of news vans were parked along the curb, and reporters were already crowding around the entrance.Brandon stepped out first, his tall body instantly blocking the view of the flashing cameras. He reached back to help me out, keeping his arm firmly around my waist as his security team pushed a clear path for us through the shouting crowd.Backstage, the air was thick with stress. Chloe was pacing back and forth, her face incredibly pale as she clutched her tablet."Miss Aria, thank goodness you are here," Chloe gasped, rushing over. "The room is completely packed. Every major financial network, gossip channel, and local newspaper is out there. They are looking for anything that could ruin you after yesterday. Are you sure you don't want to release a written statement instead?""No," I said, my voice completely flat and steady. "A written statement looks like a shield for a coward. I am going out there."I walked over to the backstage mirror. I wore a sharp, snow-white suit today, a striking contrast to the dark storm the media had been painting around my family name.I touched the gold necklace that used to belong to my father, drawing one last breath of courage from his memory. Brandon walked up behind me, resting his large hands on my shoulders.Our eyes met in the reflection. He didn't say anything. He just gave me a firm, solid nod. It was all the reassurance I needed. I turned away from the mirror, held my head high, and stepped through the heavy curtains onto the stage.The moment I appeared, the hall erupted. The sound of dozens of camera shutters clicking at maximum speed sounded like a swarm of angry insects.Flashlights blinded my eyes, but I didn't blink. I walked with slow, deliberate steps up to the podium, adjusting the microphone with a calm precision that made the room slowly fall into a tense silence.I looked out at the sea of eager, aggressive faces. I could see the doubts in their eyes. They expected a crying victim, or a defensive, angry executive. I gave them neither."Good morning," I began, my voice echoing through the speakers with a sharp, clear resonance. "Yesterday, a collection of stolen internal documents from our company was illegally leaked to the public. These files were manipulated and presented in a way to suggest that my late father's legacy was built on fraud, and that this institution is crumbling. I am here today to give you the absolute truth."I opened my folder, sliding a set of certified documents onto the podium."The records leaked yesterday were outdated, incomplete drafts from an old project over four years ago. They do not reflect our current financial standing, nor do they reflect the legitimate, hard-earned success of my father's work," I said, looking directly into the main television cameras."I have already submitted our fully audited, legally verified financial statements from the past three years to the federal regulatory boards. By noon today, those official records will be fully accessible to the public."A reporter in the front row immediately shouted out, "Miss Aria, if the files are fake, who leaked them? There are rumors it came from someone close to you—an act of personal malice."A tiny, icy smirk touched the corner of my lips, but I kept my face professional. Julian wanted a war.He wanted me to scream his name, to drag him into the spotlight, to show the world that he still had the power to affect my life. I was going to deny him that satisfaction completely."The source of the leak is currently the subject of an active criminal investigation by our cyber-security and legal teams," I replied coldly, dismissing the question with a wave of my hand."But frankly, the identity of the thief does not matter to the future of this company. A thief can steal a file, but they cannot steal our value. They cannot shake the foundation that my father built, and they certainly cannot intimidate me."The room went completely quiet. The reporters looked at each other, stunned by the sheer confidence radiating from the podium."I took over as CEO because I am fully capable of leading this company," I continued, leaning slightly forward, my eyes locking onto the crowd. "We are not failing. We are not hiding. Our legacy is legit, our numbers are real, and under my leadership, we will continue to grow larger than any bitter detractor could ever imagine. That is all I have to say today. Thank you."Without waiting for the inevitable barrage of shouting questions, I calmly closed my folder. I turned around and walked off the stage, my spine perfectly straight.The moment I stepped behind the heavy curtains, the noise of the media hall faded. Brandon was waiting for me right there. The intense, protective look on his face broke into a wide, breathless smile of pure admiration.He didn't care about the cameras or the staff watching. He stepped forward, caught me by the waist, and lifted me completely off my feet, pulling me into a fierce, tight embrace."You were magnificent," Brandon whispered against my hair, his voice thick with pride. "Absolutely magnificent, my queen."I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder as he set me down gently. For the first time in twenty-four hours, I let out a genuine, happy laugh.The battle wasn't entirely over, but as I looked back at the stage, I knew one thing for certain.Julian Vance had thrown his best punch, and he had completely missed. I had won.

Chapter 225