The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174 The Third Secret

Finished

The press conference was being held at the Vex Industries headquarters, in the same glass–walled auditorium where Drakonius had once announced a merger that had reshaped an entire industry. Elera had chosen it deliberately. The symbolism was clear: she was stepping into his world, on his turf, but on her own terms.

Backstage, she paced the length of the green room, going over her notes for the hundredth time. The speech was short, just five minutes. She’d written it herself, refusing any help from the team of publicists Clara had assembled. It needed to be in her voice. Authentic. Or as authentic as you could be when you were revealing your third secret identity in a month.

“You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet,” a familiar voice said from the doorway.

Elera turned. Drakonius stood there, leaning on his cane but looking stronger than he had in days. He was dressed in a dark suit, his hair neatly styled, the shadows under his eyes less pronounced. He looked like himself again. Like the powerful, intimidating man she’d met in that penthouse a lifetime ago.

“You’re supposed to be resting,” she said, but she couldn’t keep the smile from her face.

“And miss the show? Not a chance.” He walked into the room, moving slowly but steadily. “Simon cleared me for a short outing. As long as I sit down and don’t get stressed. He gave me very strict instructions to remain ‘serene. I’m not entirely sure I know how to do that.”

“You could try meditating. Or thinking peaceful thoughts.”

“My peaceful thoughts usually involve hostile takeovers. I don’t think that’s what Simon meant.”

Elera laughed again. Two laughs in one morning. That had to be a good sign. “What are you doing back here? Shouldn’t you be in the audience, looking imposing?”

“I wanted to see you first. Make sure you’re alright.” He stopped in front of her, his gray eyes searching her face. “You look terrified.”

“I am terrified.”

“Good. That means you’re not overconfident. Overconfidence gets people killed in situations like this.”

“Is that meant to be comforting?”

“It’s meant to be true.” He reached out and straightened the collar of her jacket, his fingers brushing against her neck. The touch was brief, impersonal, but it sent a shiver through her. “You’re going to be brilliant. They’re going to eat out of your hand.”

“What if they don’t? What if this backfires and the stock tanks anyway and I look like an idiot trying to save a company with fashion money?”

“Then we lose some money. We’ll make more. That’s what we do, and I have a lot of money.” He said it so simply, so matter–of–factly, as if the potential loss of billions was a minor inconvenience. “But that’s not going to happen. You’re Elera Nethys Vex Shadowmere Mystral Celestine. You don’t fail.”

“That’s a lot of names.”

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“You’ve earned every one of them.” His hand dropped from her collar, but he didn’t step back. They were standing close, closer than they needed to be in the empty green room. “I’ll be out there. Front row. If anyone gives you trouble, I’ll give them my special ‘I’m about to ruin your life‘ stare.”

“You have a special stare for that?”

“Oh yes. It’s very effective. I practiced it in the mirror for years.”

Elera smiled up at him. “Thank you. For being here. For… everything.”

“Always.” The word was quiet, serious. A promise. “Now go out there and show them what formidable looks like.”

He leaned in and kissed her forehead, just like he had that night in her room when she’d been scared about the anonymous message. The gesture was becoming familiar and comforting. A silent language between them that said I’m here, you’re safe, we’re in this together.

Then he turned and left, leaning on his cane but holding himself tall. Elera watched him go, her heart doing something sweet in her chest.

Showtime.

*

The auditorium was packed. Every seat was filled with journalists, investors, industry analysts, and what looked like half the fashion press. Cameras lined the back wall. their red lights glowing like predatory eyes The buzz of conversation died the moment Elera walked onto the stage.

She moved to the podium. placing her notes carefully in front of her. She didn’t look at the crowd, not yet She took a moment to adjust the microphone, to take a sip of water and to breathe. Clara’s voice echoed in her head: Own the silence. It’s power.

When she finally looked up, she saw Drakonius in the front row, just as he’d promised. Frost was beside him, a silent, watchful presence. Clara was a few seats over, giving her a thumbs–up that was probably not as discreet as she thought.

“Good morning.” Elera said, her voice clear and steady through the sound system. No trembling. Good. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

A sea of faces stared back at her. Some curious, some skeptical, some already typing on their phones. She recognized a few from the business channels, people who’d interviewed her father for years. They looked like they were waiting for a show.

“I’ve called you here today to address the recent volatility in Nethys Medical’s stock price,” she began, sticking to the script. “Over the past week, we’ve seen unusual trading patterns, coordinated sell–offs, and what appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine confidence in one of the most innovative medical research companies in the world.”

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Chapter 174 The Third Secret

She paused, letting that sink in. Letting the word deliberate hang in the air.

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