When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 175: Press Conference

Chapter 175: Press Conference

Marcos called, "Cut!" breaking the tense silence on set. Julian lowered his head, running a hand through his wet hair. He had given everything for that scene—his heart still racing, the weight of Victor’s calculated survival lingering in the air. It had felt real: every breath, every motion. The tension was palpable.

"Great job, Julian," Marcos said, his voice steady. "That was intense. That’s all for today."

Julian nodded, still catching his breath as he felt the weight of the scene lift slightly.

"Alright, everyone, let’s start packing up!" Zinnia’s voice carried through the set as the crew began to move. She stood near the director’s monitor, her clipboard in hand and a calm yet commanding expression on her face.

The sound of equipment being shifted echoed across the set as the crew sprang into action. Zinnia kept her tone steady, knowing how important it was to balance firmness with appreciation. "Make sure everything is stored properly," she continued, glancing at the props team as they began gathering the scattered set pieces. "We don’t want to waste time looking for anything tomorrow."

Julian, still catching his breath from the emotional scene, looked up briefly. He watched as Zinnia moved effortlessly between groups, ensuring everyone had clear instructions. Her presence had a way of anchoring the chaos, a trait the crew respected.

"And for those of you working on the edits," she said, addressing a small cluster of video editors near the monitors, "it’s your turn now. Take the footage we shot today and start bringing it to life."

One of the editors raised his hand. "Should we focus on the pacing or the transitions first?"

"Both," Zinnia replied, her expression thoughtful. "But prioritize realism. The tension in Julian’s performance has to feel authentic—like the audience is right there with him. Don’t rush it."

The editors nodded, already making notes. Zinnia smiled faintly. "Remember, we’re not just cutting clips together. We’re telling a story that needs to feel as real as possible. No shortcuts."

Behind her, the lighting crew was packing up cables, chatting quietly about the day’s work. Zinnia turned to them, her voice carrying over the chatter. "You guys did an amazing job today. Thank you for adjusting things so quickly during the shoot."

"Thanks, Zinnia," one of them replied, a grin on his face.

As the team gradually cleared the set, Zinnia took one last look at the space.

"Alright, everyone," she said, clapping her hands lightly to get their attention. "Take a rest. We’ve got another long day tomorrow, so come prepared."

---

In another city, Samuel adjusted his tie as he stood behind the podium, the room buzzing with journalists and investors. The lights from the cameras flashed incessantly, but he barely noticed. His focus was on delivering his message with precision and confidence.

The press conference was packed, as expected. All the board members were present, seated behind Samuel in a semi-circle, their expressions carefully neutral.

Samuel’s voice was steady as he began. "Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here today." He paused briefly, meeting the eyes of the reporters in the front row. "Lucas Realty Group has always been committed to integrity and transparency, and today, we are here to address the recent events that have raised concerns among our stakeholders."

He straightened his posture, glancing at the notes in front of him but barely needing them. "First, I want to acknowledge the seriousness of the Revilo and Cain scandal. It has brought to light flaws in our oversight processes, and for that, we take full responsibility. Our investors, employees, and clients deserve better, and we intend to prove that we are capable of learning and growing from this."

The reporters scribbled furiously, some raising their hands in anticipation of the Q&A session. Samuel held up a hand to signal he wasn’t finished.

"In response to the situation," he continued, "we have implemented immediate changes to ensure nothing like this happens again. This includes stricter oversight on all deals, a comprehensive review of internal operations, and the establishment of a new compliance team."

Behind him, Bart Brendon shifted in his seat, his expression hard to read. Samuel didn’t need to look to know Bart was skeptical. Billy Braham, another independent director, leaned forward slightly, his fingers steepled as he listened, while Edward Jones and Daren Farrell remained seated and silent.

One reporter called out, "Mr. Lucas, can you elaborate on how these measures will be enforced?"

Samuel nodded, expecting the question. "Absolutely. We are partnering with an external auditing firm to conduct regular checks on all transactions. Additionally, our compliance team will report directly to the board, ensuring accountability at every level."

Raver Lucas, Samuel’s uncle, cleared his throat softly. It was a small sound, but Samuel caught it. The tension between them hadn’t dissipated since the board meeting where Samuel had proposed this very press conference. Raver had been vocal in his opposition, questioning whether transparency would do more harm than good.

"Furthermore," Samuel added, his tone unwavering, "we are committed to open communication with our investors. Starting today, we will provide quarterly updates on our progress, so you can see for yourselves the steps we’re taking to rebuild trust."

The room murmured, the weight of his words settling in. Investors wanted reassurance, and Samuel knew this was just the beginning.

After outlining the company’s recovery plan, Samuel opened the floor for questions. One reporter immediately stood. "Mr. Lucas, some believe this scandal has irreparably damaged Lucas Realty Group’s reputation. How do you plan to overcome that perception?"

Samuel took a moment before answering. "Reputation isn’t rebuilt overnight," he admitted. "But it is rebuilt through actions, not words. We will demonstrate our commitment to integrity through every decision we make moving forward. This is not the end of Lucas Realty Group. It is a turning point."

The words hung in the air, heavy with conviction. Samuel knew not everyone in the room believed him, but that didn’t matter. He wasn’t here to convince them with speeches. He was here to lay the groundwork for the work that still needed to be done.

As the press conference came to a close, Samuel stepped away from the podium, his shoulders stiff but his expression calm. The board members filed out behind him, their expressions varying from neutral to tense.

Raver Lucas caught up to him as they exited the room. "You think this is enough to fix everything?" he asked, his tone low but sharp.

"No," Samuel replied without missing a beat. "But it’s a start."

Raver didn’t respond, but the doubt in his eyes was clear.