Chapter 30: The Dragon That Breathes Fire
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I smooth my hands down the crisp fabric of my blouse and skirt outfit. My heels click an authoritative staccato as I make my way to the podium set up outside the newly fortified entrance of Lavish Lifestyles' main building.
Rows of reporters and journalists bustle with energy, cameras flashing and voices buzzing in eager anticipation of my first official statement since the sabotage crisis. My eyes flit across the gathered crowd until I spot Zayn seated in the front row, giving me a reassuring smile and a subtle thumbs up.
I clutch the podium, woodgrain cool against my palms, and lean in toward the microphone. Clearing my throat, I project in my most confident tone.*
"Good morning, and thank you all for coming. My name is Kattie Johnson, owner and founder of Lavish Lifestyles. After an unimaginable act of sabotage that critically struck at the core of my business, I stand before you today to declare we have risen anew - stronger, smarter, and virtually impenetrable to threats."
A hush falls over the crowd as I gesture broadly behind me at the reinforced glass entrances, newly-installed camera domes, and other hardened security features.
"Over these past couple of weeks, my team and I have been relentlessly laboring to implement next-generation safety protocols that go far beyond standard measures. We have spared no expense and cut no corners in constructing high-level defense systems at every customer and employee touchpoint."
I briefly pause, feeling emboldened by the reporters hanging on my every word. Finally, I can reclaim the narrative after so much chaos.
"Access control now requires biometrics and key-card clearance. CCTV has 360-degree coverage, 24/7 monitoring, and automatic video enhancement analytics. We've installed cutting-edge inventory logistics with time-stamped safety seals on all products. And these are just skimming the surface of our new proactive defenses..."
As I launch into more details, my voice rings with a ferocity, an intensity born from the deep-seated torment of having my life's work so violated. I fixate on the cameras, picturing that twisted saboteur watching from wherever their hole is, and I direct my next words directly at them.
"So allow me to be explicitly clear: there is no shadow to slither through at Lavish Lifestyles. No loophole to exploit, no corner to cower in. Whoever you are, wherever you are, if you thought you could break me down...you merely awoke the unchained beast."
A heavy, charged silence follows. Keeping my shoulders squared, I smooth my expression into one of composure before continuing in a measured tone.
"With security reinforcements from Secura-Corp's elite implementation team, I welcome all of you, the public, to visit Lavish Lifestyles with full confidence that your safety and satisfaction is our inviolable priority. This Grand Re-Opening will truly symbolize a renaissance of standards."
I catch Zayn's eye once more as I prepare to take questions, his chest puffed with pride. In this moment, poised in the fluorescent blitz of camera flashes, my roar of a comeback echoes unshakably clear.
Let the phoenixes of Lavish Lifestyles soar fearlessly from the ashes forevermore.
As I open the floor to questions, most hands shoot up with respectful inquiries about our new security protocols, re-opening timeline, and steps to regain public trust.
But one reporter in particular catches my eye - a woman with an almost predatory look, smirking as she repeatedly waves her hand.
Against my better judgment, I give her a nod.
"Yes, you in the third row."
She doesn't waste a second before pouncing.
"Yes, Ms. Johnson. This extreme level of security you've implemented is certainly...impressive."
The way she sneers the word 'impressive' sets me immediately on edge.
"But I have to wonder, how on earth is a small business owner like yourself able to afford such costly systems? Biometrics, enhanced CCTV analytics, card access - that's technology on par with major corporations and government institutions."
I clutch the podium tighter, keeping my expression neutral.
"I make security and the safety of my employees and clientele the utmost priority. The funds were properly allocated-"
But she barrels over me.
"Forgive me for being so blunt, but let's call a spade a spade here."
She glances pointedly towards where Zayn is seated.
"There's no way you could finance this level of protection all on your own. Are you...howshouldiputthis...receiving financial aid from your boyfriend?"
The implication hangs heavy in the air. I try not to look over where Zayn is seated and just keep my eyes on this nosey journalist.
So I give her a sickly sweet smile.
"Why, yes...Zayn has been an invaluable source of business advice and auxiliary resources throughout this crisis. As an experienced investor, he's provided expert counsel on implementing cost-effective security solutions."
I can see the dull disappointment flash across her face at my professional response. But then that wretched smirk returns.
"Is that all Mr...Statham, is it?...has provided?"
She lets the question marinate grotesquely.
"Because one does have to wonder just how...mutually beneficial...your relationship might be. He's quite the wealthy, successful man while you're just a small-time Saloner."
The rest of her words die in her throat as I level her with a death stare that could incinerate. Any shred of pretense at journalistic integrity this witch had is vaporized.
"How dare you."
I seethe in a low, murderous tone to drive the point home. Message received loud and clear - this is the Statham family's pathetic attempt at yet another smear campaign. A sad, desperate grab when their initial sabotage failed to break me. Yes , now I think they are behind the sabotage!
They merely awoke the unchained beast. And beasts like me, we go straight for the jugular.
"I'll give you one opportunity to rephrase both that vile, misogynistic insinuation as well as the disrespect you've shown me and my partner."
I bite out, leaning over the podium menacingly.
"Or this Grand Re-Opening will play feature footage of my high-priced security team escorting you off premises."
She visibly pales, shrinking down in her seat. A tense, uncomfortable silence stretches out before she shakily rephrases her question about finances. But I've made my point.
The gloves are off. Lavish Lifestyles is leaving its ashes behind, and forging ahead unburnt, tempered in fierce, vicious succor. None - not a single, slimy detractor - will tarnish this rebirth.
The phoenix has arisen a Dragon guarding its treasure. Let all who dare try and stop me be incinerated upon approach. I can see the satisfaction smirk on Zayn's face. I have also shocked myself with how I handled this girl.
Just as I'm about to move on to the next question, dismissing that despicable excuse for a reporter, another voice pipes up.
"Ms. Johnson, a question about your staff."
A male journalist says with a saccharine smile , I already know that he's about to piss me off.
I straighten my shoulders, presenting an unbothered air of control.
"Of course, what would you like to know?"
"Well," he begins in an insultingly measured tone. "I couldn't help but notice a notable absence on the roster - your longtime salon manager and friend, Candy, was she? And one of your best barbers, Alex?"
The dig is thinly veiled. He knows full well about the trauma Candy recently endured at the hands of her abusive ex, Alex. The mere insinuation that her private recuperation should be open for public consumption makes my blood boil.
But I keep my expression neutral.
"Candy is taking a temporary personal leave to overcome some issues in her private life. Out of respect for her healing process, I'll keep details undisclosed. Alex is no longer an employee here"
Another sickly smile cuts across his face.
"How admirable of you. Because there are certainly...theories...as to why Mr. Alex hasn't been involved in Lavish Lifestyles' big comeback."
My jaw clenches hard as he lets the greasy statement linger. He's fishing for a reaction, the vulture.
"Such as?"
I challenge, refusing to take the bait and legitimize his tawdry assumptions.
"Well, you can't fault the public for wondering if there was any...coercion...involved. You and your people must have blackmailed him into keeping a low profile because you believe whatever Candy tol you , and it's not in writing. Just y'all words."
He continues, clearly delighting in dragging this out.
"Given your boyfriend's wealth and access to powerful resources, one could hypothesize whether Alex found herself unable to resume her duties due to certain...persuasive influences, shall we say."
The implication hangs heavy - that Zayn somehow extorted or blackmailed Alex in order to control his employment status. Mostly because on what he did to Candy
White hot rage bubbles up inside me at the audacious, deplorable insinuation against the people I love most. He wants a scene, this scumbag. Something juicy to plaster on his trashy tabloid headlines.
Well, I'm happy to give him one.
"How dare you?"
I grit out in a steely tone, leveling him with a gaze of such molten fury it actually makes him recoil.
"How dare you disgustingly and baselessly intimate anything untoward about my best friend and partner."
I punctuate each heated word by striding around from behind the podium until I'm looming over him, ignoring the frantic clicking of cameras catching this confrontation.
"Candy has been through unimaginable personal turmoil recently that has absolutely nothing to do with her career or Lavish Lifestyles. The mere fact that you seem to relish speculating about potential nefarious exploitation of a trauma survivor is...reprehensible."
His face has drained of color entirely as I take one last step, towering over him in a cold menace.
"I should have security remove you right now for that slanderous accusation alone. But I'll extend grace this once with fair warning - do not come anywhere near my business or people with your despicable, baseless gossip again."
His shaky nod of submission isn't enough. I pivot to address the broader crowd.
"Let this be a notice to any would-be defamers lurking - there is a strict zero-tolerance policy at Lavish Lifestyles for willful lies and cruelty-mongering masquerading as journalism. The standards here match our security - of an inviolable, unforgiving caliber."
Straightening my blazer, I return to the podium with a few pointed strides, effectively dismissing any further questions from the properly chastised reporters.
As the press conference concludes, Zayn meets my eye with a look of admiration. He knows, as well as anyone, the towering lengths I'll go to defend those who matter most when threatened.
The jackals can nip all they want at Lavish Lifestyles' fresh heels. But this phoenix was reborn with the lethal instincts and might of the fiercest of dragons. Any who keep prodding the flame will get burnt.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone