SAUNDERS INC

I made eye contact with a few familiar faces in the crowd, nodding in greeting. There was Rachel Truscott from the Los Blancos Times, her sharp jawline and piercing gaze unmistakable. Next to her, Ben from the Daily Scoop looked like he'd just rolled out of bed, his rumpled suit and sleep-deprived eyes a testament to the chaotic world of tabloid journalism.

"So Charlee, you are saying you weren't actually dead?" Rachel asked, her fake blonde bob moving as she spoke.

"Nada, I was comatose for one day," I replied with a sarcastic tone, "I wouldn't be here if I was dead, now would I?" The paparazzi erupted into laughter at my attempt at humor, but Rachel's expression remained stern.

"My sources led me to understand that a Lorraine Falconeri, a mortician at St. Theresa, had pictures of you, very much dead," Rachel said, her eyes narrowing.

I raised an eyebrow. "Then your sources were very much in the wrong. Lorraine Falconeri is a nurse who worked with the plastic surgeon to fix up my face. I'm sure you must have done your research?" I asked, my tone dripping with skepticism.

Rachel's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she scribbled some notes on her pad. "I see," she said, her tone dripping with skepticism. "And can you explain why Lorraine Falconeri would have photos of you on her phone, if she was just a nurse who worked with your plastic surgeon?"

I smiled, anticipating this question. "Lorraine is not just a nurse, she's also an amateur photographer. She took some before-and-after photos of me for her portfolio. I'm sure she'll be happy to clarify that for you, if you bother to reach out to her."

Florian Winchester, a journalist from Daily News, spoke up, his voice smooth and confident. "Charlee, can you confirm or deny rumors that you've been involved in some shady dealings? There are whispers of you being connected to some pretty unsavory characters."

I laughed, trying to appear nonchalant. "Shady dealings? Unsavory characters? Dude, you've been watching too many movies. I'm a rapper, not a mafia boss. My only 'shady dealing' is trying to make it to the top of the charts without losing my mind."

The room erupted into laughter again, and even Rachel cracked a small smile. But I knew she wasn't going to let up that easily. She was like a dog with a bone, and she wouldn't rest until she'd uncovered every last secret.

Ben Jackson's expression remained neutral, the only one in the room who didn't look shocked. We had discussed this moment, planned it down to the last detail. It was the only way to prove that he, a paparazzo, had landed the job at the Daily Tribune without arousing suspicion that I was behind it.

I had taken care of everyone at St. Theresa, ensuring their loyalty and discretion. Lorraine Falconeri, in particular, had been well rewarded. I had paid her $100,000 and covered her student loans. In return, she had been promoted to a nurse working with a plastic surgeon. It was a win-win situation. Everyone was happy, and I was happy.

Now, as I watched the room erupt into a flurry of questions and camera clicks, I felt a sense of satisfaction.

Ben, sensing an opportunity, jumped into the fray. "Charlee, do you have any idea who may want you dead?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

I paused, pretending to consider the question. "Well..." I started, "I've got an enterprise worth over a hundred billion dollars. All my business rivals would normally want the CEO of Saunders Inc... I'm a genius, after all." I replied, intentionally dropping the bombshell.

For a moment, the room fell silent, with all eyes on me. Then, I feigned embarrassment, covering my mouth with my hand. "Damn, I said it out loud, didn't I?" I asked, looking around the room with a sheepish grin.

But I had done it intentionally. I needed to know who my enemies were, and sometimes, the best way to flush them out was to make a provocative statement. Now, I just had to wait and see who would take the bait.

Jordan's POV.

Ben, sensing an opportunity, jumped into the fray. "Charlee, do you have any idea who may want you dead?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

I paused, pretending to consider the question. "Well..." I started, "I've got an enterprise worth over a hundred billion dollars. All my business rivals would normally want the CEO of Saunders Inc... I'm a genius, after all." I replied, intentionally dropping the bombshell.

For a moment, the room fell silent, with all eyes on me. Then, I feigned embarrassment, covering my mouth with my hand. "Damn, I said it out loud, didn't I?" I asked, looking around the room with a sheepish grin.

But I had done it intentionally. I needed to know who my enemies were, and sometimes, the best way to flush them out was to make a provocative statement. Now, I just had to wait and see who would take the bait.

I leaned against the back wall of the conference hall, my eyes fixed on Charlee as she fielded questions from the press. After getting fired from my last job, Mama had been breathing down my neck to get back out there and find something new. My primo, Ben Jackson, had snuck me in, and I was grateful for the distraction. I was a huge fan of Charlee's - I mean, who wouldn't be? She was smart, beautiful, and had a wit sharper than a razor. I'd followed her career for years, and I couldn't believe I was finally seeing her in person. I stuck out like a sore thumb in my worn jeans, faded Los Tigres del Norte T-shirt, and scuffed-up Vans sneakers. My messy brown hair and stubble didn't exactly scream "press conference attire" either. But I wasn't here to impress anyone - I was here to observe, and figure out what was really going on.As I watched her, I had to physically restrain myself from running up to her and asking for an autograph. I mean, I was a grown man, but I felt like a kid in a candy store. I'd always admired Charlee from afar, and now that I was in the same room as her, I couldn't help but feel a little starstruck. Shoving my crush away, I couldn't help but feel something was off about this whole press conference.

Charlee was being too nice, too accommodating. And Ben, my cousin from Mama's side of the family, seemed way too comfortable. I knew Ben, and I knew he wasn't exactly the most reputable guy. So, what was he doing here, and why was Charlee letting him get away with it?

My mind started racing as I watched Charlee drop the bombshell: she owned Saunders Inc, the biggest tech company in the country. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. What? How was that possible? And why had she kept it a secret?

But then it hit me: Charlee hadn't let that slip by accident. She had done it on purpose, which meant she had bigger problems than just Ben. I wondered what Ben had on Charlee. What was he blackmailing her with? I have to protect her.