The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136 This Is My Name

“Probably. You’re a very complicated person.”

A woman in a headset appeared. “Mrs. Vex? We’re ready for you.”

This was it. No more hiding. No more carefully constructed masks. Just Elera, all of her, stepping into the light.

She walked onto the small stage, and the room erupted in camera flashes and shouted questions. She took her place behind the podium, adjusted the microphone, and looked out at the sea of faces.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice steady despite her racing heart. “Thank you all for being here. I’m Elera Nethys Vex, and I have a story to tell you.”

The room quieted, everyone leaning forward.

“Many of you know me as Raven Shadowmere, the author. Some of you know me as Mrs. Drakonius Vex. But today, I’m here to introduce you to my first identity, the one I’ve kept secret for over a decade. I am Dr. Elera Mystral, founder and CEO of Nethys Medical.”

The room exploded. Journalists shouting questions, cameras flashing like lightning. Elera held up a hand and waited for them to settle.

“I know you have questions. I’ll answer what I can. But first, let me explain why I’ve kept this secret for so long.”

She told them the story she’d prepared. About being twenty–one and brilliant and knowing that if she used her real name, everyone would assume her father built the company. About wanting to prove her work could stand on its own merit. About the careful balancing act of running a multi–billion dollar company while maintaining her anonymity.

“I’m revealing my identity now because someone is attempting to take my company from me. They’re using shell corporations and evil takeover tactics, betting that I won’t fight back because I’ve been hiding for so long. But they’re wrong. I built Nethys Medical from nothing. Every patent, every breakthrough, every success is mine. And I’m not letting anyone take it from me.”

She opened the floor to questions and immediately regretted it.

“Ms. Vex, how do we know you really founded the company? How do we know you’re not just taking credit for someone else’s work?”

“I have documentation going back eleven years. Financial records, patent filings, emails, research notes. All of it proving I was there from day one. My legal team can provide verification to anyone who requests it.”

“What about your father? Kieran Nethys has been claiming he supported your writing career. Did he also fund Nethys Medical?”

“My father has never contributed a single dollar to Nethys Medical. In fact, he didn’t even know I’d founded the company until a few weeks ago. The funding came entirely from my own carnings as Raven Shadowmere and subsequent investments.”

3:40 pm P PPм.

Chapter 136 This Is My Name

“Are you accusing your father of trying to steal your company?”

Finished

“I’m saying that the hostile takeover attempt is being funded partly by entities my father is connected to. Draw your own conclusions.”

“What about Drakonius Vex? Is it true he’s been secretly investing in your company for years?”

“My husband has been a supportive partner and yes, he’s made investments in Nethys Medical. But he’s an investor, not a founder. This is my company.”

“Some people are saying you married him to gain access to his pharmaceutical connections. How do you respond to that?”

“Some people say a lot of things. I married Drakonius because he’s brilliant, kind, and the best partner I could ask for. Anyone suggesting otherwise is welcome to spend five minutes with us and see how wrong they are.”

That got a small laugh from the room. Good. Humanize yourself, Clara had said. Let them see you’re a real person and not just a corporate robot.

“Ms. Vex, you’ve revealed two major secret identities in the past few weeks. Are there more we should know about?”

Elera smiled. “I’m a woman of many talents. But today we’re focusing on Nethys Medical. Any other reveals will have to wait for their own press conferences.”

More laughter. She was getting the hang of this.

The questions continued for another twenty minutes. Some were thoughtful and insightful. Others were clearly designed to trip her up or get a soundbite. She handled them all with the same calm professionalism, refusing to be rattled.

Finally, Clara gave her the signal to wrap up.

“I’ll take one more question,” Elera said.

A young woman in the back raised her hand. “Ms. Vex, what do you want people to take away from today?”

It was a softball question, clearly planted by Clara. But Elera was grateful for it.

“I want people to know that women can build empires without asking permission. That we don’t need to hide our intelligence or apologize for our success. I started Nethys Medical because I saw a problem that needed solving and I had the skills to solve it. I kept my identity secret because I knew the world would judge me differently if they knew I was Kieran Nethys’s daughter. But I’m done hiding. I’m done letting fear of judgment dictate my choices. And I hope that by standing here today, I’m showing other women that you don’t have to choose between success and authenticity. You can be brilliant and complicated and powerful and yourself, all at the same time.”

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The Heiress He Underestimated