Press conference

The board members were stunned.

"How is that possible?" Mr. Anderson challenged, his voice laced with disbelief. "You've never even set foot in this company."

He couldn't accept that this young woman, whom he clearly underestimated, was the driving force behind their success. How could someone so young achieve so much, while working from the shadows?

Kathryn found his narrow-mindedness amusing.

"What's your name?" she asked, her voice deceptively soft as her gaze locked onto his. Mr. Anderson felt a shiver crawl down his spine, unnerved by her commanding presence.

"Mr. Anderson," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.

"Mr. Anderson, by your logic," Kathryn continued, her eyes narrowing slightly, "I would need to be physically present in the office to approve a proposal, sign an artist, close a deal, or form a strategic partnership. Is that correct?" She studied him intently, waiting for his response.

As they listened to her defend herself with such poise and quiet authority, most of the board members realized the absurdity of Mr. Anderson's challenge. It was clear that Kathryn was intimately involved in every aspect of the company, regardless of her physical location.

Seeing that his argument was weak and ill-conceived, Mr. Anderson lowered his head, a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck.

Sensing his defeat, Kathryn decided against pressing the issue further. There was no need to humiliate him completely.

She didn't need to justify her actions or explain her methods to them, but for the sake of the company's future, she needed to earn their trust and solidify her position. So, she began to provide a concise and compelling overview of Star Corp's history, starting with its origins as a small entertainment agency, its initial success in launching a string of chart-topping artists, the release of their first blockbuster movie, which catapulted them onto the world stage, and finally, their critically acclaimed debut fashion show.

For the first three years, they had focused solely on entertainment, building a roster of talented performers and transforming them into household names.

They had quickly risen to become the number two entertainment company in the country and were recognized as one of the top ten globally.

Their meteoric rise had attracted significant attention, leading to lucrative collaborations, strategic partnerships, and substantial investments.

In their fourth year, they had boldly expanded into the notoriously competitive automobile industry. It had been a challenging and uncertain start, but when they launched their first luxury sports car, it had sent shockwaves through the industry, attracting a new wave of investors and forging even more partnerships and collaborations.

Listening to her speak with such clarity and confidence, outlining the company's history and its strategic vision, the board members couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration and respect. She was, without a doubt, their president, a visionary leader with a clear and compelling plan for the future.

By this point, Mr. Anderson was thoroughly ashamed of his earlier outburst. He now recognized that he had underestimated Kathryn, allowing his own prejudices to cloud his judgment.

"Any more questions?" Kathryn asked, her gaze sweeping across the room.

"None, Madame President!" one of the youngest board members replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm. He was clearly impressed.

"If that's all, then the meeting is adjourned," Kathryn said, rising to her feet with effortless grace. Rebecca and Arthur followed suit, and the board members, as if on cue, stood up as well.

"Where is the press conference taking place?" Kathryn asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"On the thirty-ninth floor," Arthur replied.

When the elevator doors opened, they were met by a phalanx of security personnel, who escorted them and the eight board members towards the grand ballroom.

The hall was packed with over fifty reporters from various media outlets, all seated patiently, waiting for Kathryn. She was the news of the moment, the subject of intense speculation and curiosity. Today was her official unveiling, and everyone wanted to be the first to break the story.

The board members took their designated seats, while Kathryn and Rebecca settled into the chairs at the center of the stage.

Arthur, exuding his usual confidence, walked to the podium with a measured stride. Several of the female reporters blushed as his gaze swept over them, a flicker of a smile playing on his lips.

With a dazzling smile, he welcomed the press and formally introduced Kathryn as the President of Star Corporation.

Kathryn rose smoothly from her seat and glided towards the podium, her every movement radiating poise and self-assurance. Even the tailored lines of her blazer couldn't conceal her graceful figure. A few of the male reporters visibly drooled.

Reaching the podium, she took a deep breath and offered a warm, captivating smile to the assembled press.

"Hi, good morning. I'm Kathryn, the President of Star Corporation," she announced, her voice clear and resonant.

For a full minute, the reporters seemed mesmerized, completely captivated by her radiant smile.

Her smile could literally light up an entire galaxy, one of the reporters thought, snapping back to reality with a start.

Quickly recovering from their daze, one of the reporters raised his hand. "President Kathryn, can you tell us why you chose this particular time to reveal yourself as the owner of Star Corp?"

"I wasn't ready before," Kathryn replied, her tone direct and to the point. "But now I am."

"What were you doing all those years that kept you away from the company?" another reporter pressed.

"I was schooling," Kathryn replied simply.

"Which school? High school or university?" another reporter shouted, eager for details.

"I was homeschooled during my high school and I'm also a graduate" Kathryn replied, keeping her tone concise.

"Which university certified you?" the same reporter pressed, refusing to let up.

"Yale," Kathryn stated simply. A collective gasp and a wave of murmurs rippled through the room.

The reporters were stunned. No one had expected her to have been certified by such a prestigious Ivy League university.

Eager to verify her claim, some of the reporters quickly searched Yale's website on their phones. They were shocked by what they found.

The university's alumni page listed Kathryn Blackwood with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a Master's degree in Business Management. She had graduated with distinction.

Seeing how calm and composed she was, coupled with her impressive academic credentials, the reporters began to regard her with a newfound respect.

Noticing the admiration in Arthur's gaze as he looked at Kathryn, one of the female reporters asked tentatively, "If you don't mind me asking, what is your relationship to Mr. Sterling?"

"What an absurd question," Rebecca murmured under her breath, rolling her eyes.

Turning back to look at Arthur, who was frowning at the impertinent question, Kathryn smiled reassuringly.

Facing the reporters, she said proudly, "He's my brother."

Her reply caused a ripple of surprise and speculation through the hall. The reporters clearly had their reservations, but no one dared to voice them aloud.

"So, what is the way forward, President Kathryn?" a female reporter asked, steering the conversation back to business.

"To turn Star Corporation into the biggest conglomerate in the country," Kathryn replied, her voice firm and unwavering. "That's my goal."

That's ambitious, the reporters thought. But seeing how far the company had already come under her leadership, they were certain she had the vision and drive to achieve it, even if it took time.

"If that's all, we'd like to announce that we'll be launching a new subsidiary company, a security firm, in a week time. I invite you all to come celebrate with us," Kathryn announced, shocking and surprising everyone in the room, including the board members.

"Arthur, you never told us the firm was ready!" one of the board members exclaimed, turning to Arthur with a look of surprise.

"I told you it would be announced this week," Arthur replied, smiling proudly at Kathryn.

They were already a well-known brand and had no real competition in that field. They were destined for success, it was clear.

The board members applauded, pleased with the way things were progressing. There was no doubt in their minds that Kathryn had been planning this move into the security industry for some time.

Just as Kathryn finished her announcement, the doors of the hall swung open and a group of men dressed in black suits strode purposefully into the room.