Chapitre 18: The Shocking News

Fifteen minutes later ~

"Ms. Blackwood, thank you for your cooperation. We will notify you as soon as the results will come out. Please have a good rest."

Grace smiled softly as she bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your hardwork." She said to the two police officers who then took their leave and walked out of the room.

"Why did you plan the fire?" 2025 asked the moment they were alone in the room once again. It had been curious about Grace's decision of destroying the Blackwood Mansion but only now could it finally ask.

A small smile curved the corners of Grace's lips while an icy glow took over her eyes. "You will find out the answer soon."

Just like that, the topic ended there and Grace spent next two hours catching up on some sleep. Meanwhile, the buzz around the Blackwood Mansion's fire grew even more intense.

She got discharged from the hospital by noon and headed to the condo she rented the day before. There, she met with Kevin, Aleena, Seth, and Maven to make preparations for her next big step.

Two hours later, she climbed out of a black SUV and headed inside a building located in the city's busiest square with Kevin and Maven following right behind her. She made her way through the long hallways and finally entered the grand hall where the press was awaiting her.

She was dressed in a dark red office suit that clung to her frame, carrying a perfect balance of elegance and power. Her expression was one of calm determination. At the same time, most of the bruises and bandages on her body were left on display to hint at the tragedy she had just endured.

As she made her way to the podium, flashes from cameras illuminated the room, capturing every detail of her appearance.

She took a deep breath before fixing her gaze on the sea of journalists as she addressed them. Her voice was steady but soft enough to evoke sympathy.

"Good afternoon, everyone. First, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the brave firefighters, medical professionals, and authorities who worked tirelessly through this difficult time. The Blackwood Mansion was not just my home, it was a symbol of my family's legacy and a place filled with memories. Watching it go up in flames... it's a loss I cannot put into words."

Her voice trembled just slightly as she paused and her eyes briefly cast down. It was a perfect touch of vulnerability that tugged at the emotions of everyone present in the room. Then, she straightened up again and resumed her composed stance.

"I understand many of you have questions about the fire," she continued. "At this moment, the authorities are still investigating, and I will let them do their work. I trust they will find the cause in due time. My main priority now is to recover and plan for the future."

The first round of questions came almost immediately.

"Ms. Blackwood, are you sure the fire wasn't the result of foul play?"

"What are your plans for the future now that the mansion is destroyed?"

Grace answered the questions with careful precision, giving away just enough information to satisfy their immediate curiosity without revealing too much. She kept her tone composed, but the weight of the situation was still clear in every word. Finally, after several rounds of questioning, she took a deep breath to signal she was about to make a major statement.

"There's something I would like to announce today." The room fell into a heavy silence as all eyes locked on her. "After much reflection on this matter, I have decided to sell the Blackwood Corporation."

A gasp rippled through the crowd and the journalists quickly scribbled down notes, shock evident on their faces. The Blackwood Corporation was an empire, one of the largest and most influential in the country. Selling it was unthinkable, especially for someone like Grace who had been its face since she was a teenager.

Hands shot up as reporters were eager to ask the burning questions. One finally spoke, "Ms. Blackwood, why would you make such a sudden decision? You have led the company for so long. What has prompted this?"

Grace's expression softened and a look of weariness settled in her eyes as she spoke. "For the past twelve years, I have dedicated my every waking moment to this company. Since I was fourteen, I have carried the weight of my family's legacy, working tirelessly to ensure its success. But in doing so, I have lost myself. I have sacrificed my time, my peace, my well-being. I gave it everything I had. But... I'm tired now. I have reached a point where I need to take care of myself, to finally breathe without the pressure of carrying such a heavy responsibility."

The room was silent, stunned by her revelation. Grace continued in a voice laced with emotion. "This isn't an easy decision, but it's the right one for me. I know my family would want me to find peace, not burn out under the weight of their legacy. It's time for me to step away."

More questions began to fly, but Kevin and Maven swiftly stepped forward and gently ushered Grace away from the podium. "No more questions today, thank you," Kevin said firmly as they escorted her out of the room.

The reporters surged forward, trying to get a final word, but Grace ignored the chaos behind her. She gracefully slid into the waiting car while Kevin and Maven followed closely behind bedore the doors closed swiftly.

As the car pulled away, Grace glanced out of the window, watching the world continue as if it hadn't just been rocked by her announcement. She knew the news would spread like wildfire. The Blackwood Corporation - her life's work and her family's empire - was about to change hands.

The headlines would soon be everywhere, and the country would be left in disbelief.

But for her, this was only the beginning of a much larger plan. A small, satisfied smile played on her lips as the car sped away from the building.