Chapter 7 - The Reckoning in Public
The next morning, the internet erupted.
The video of Vanessa Sterling smashing a birthday cake over five-year-old Lily Vance’s head went viral within minutes. By noon, it was the number one trending topic globally. The contrast between the innocent child in her party dress and the cruel, screaming socialite triggered an unprecedented wave of public fury.
Sponsors dropped Vanessa’s luxury lifestyle brand within hours. The Sterling Group’s stock plunged thirty percent by the closing bell as investors panicked over Adrian Vance’s sudden and aggressive short-selling of their assets.
In a desperate attempt to salvage her reputation, Vanessa showed up at the gates of Vance Enterprises during a televised press conference her father had called to apologize.
She pushed through the reporters, her eyes wild, her high-end clothes looking rumpled and unkempt compared to her usual immaculate image.
"Adrian!" she yelled into the flashing cameras, her voice catching on microphone feeds. "I know you're watching! I made a mistake! I was stressed! Please, don't destroy my family over a child's party!"
The glass doors of Vance Enterprises opened. Adrian walked out, flanked by six bodyguards. He wore an immaculate charcoal suit, his expression unreadable as he approached the podium.
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The reporters went silent, holding out dozens of microphones.
Adrian looked down at Vanessa, who was standing behind the police barricade, tears streaking her heavy makeup.
