Chapter 665
Jarred remained completely silent.
Everyone thought that the Sterlings were entirely finished this time.
The stock price was bound to usher in a new round of a cliff-like plunge, and the century-old Sterling Group was about to fall from grace.
But just at the moment when public opinion was about to lose control.
Jarred’s cold voice rang out again, neither hurried nor slow.
“My mother is an adult, and she can bear legal responsibility for all her actions. The same goes for my grandmother.
Their personal behavior has absolutely no connection to the internal workings of the Sterling Group, and the company will not stop operating because of this.
Neither of them has ever participated in the group’s core decision-making, nor have they ever interfered with the company’s daily operations.
Their personal crimes will be solely borne by them, and they will face all legal judgments.
It will absolutely not implicate the group, nor will it affect the rights and interests of any shareholders p>
That single statement directly severed all ties between the scandal and the corporation.
The expressions of the reporters in the room changed drastically, and they all sat up straight.
“Then what about you? Did you have a hand in turning Celeste into Cora p>
Right then, an abrupt and sharp voice suddenly cut in.
A reporter standing near the front stepped forward, leaning in without any hesitation.
The microphone in her hand was practically shoved into Jarred’s face, the distance crossing the line of appropriateness.
Her gaze was sharp and certain, devoid of any cowering, meeting Jarred’s heavy stare head-on.
Seeing that Jarred didn’t answer, she even smiled and urged, “Mr. Sterling p>
All the media reporters present instantly held their breath, no one daring to make a sound, even their breathing subconsciously growing lighter.
Everyone knew what lay behind that question.
Celeste faking her death and escaping was a flawless setup, absolutely not something one person could pull off alone.
The whole world knew of Jarred’s special status and the power and resources he wielded.
If Jarred admitted it publicly, it would be confirming that he had abused his power.
Not only would he himself completely fall from grace, but he would also have to bear criminal responsibility, utterly dragging down the barely stabilized Sterling Group.
But if he denied it outright, who knew if these cunning reporters had other evidence in their hands?
If they did, the public image Jarred had built over the years would completely collapse.
He would end up branded with the crime of hypocritical favoritism and knowingly breaking the law.
The answer was of monumental importance, enough to overturn everything.
The tension in the room reached its absolute peak as cameras zoomed in wildly, awaiting his reply.
Jarred slowly raised his eyes.
His dark, deep eyes swept heavily over all the reporters present, his gaze cool and calm.
“Anyone, including myself, will pay the due price for everything they have done p>
A short sentence, a masterful deflection, yet it showcased his exact brilliance.
He didn’t directly admit to participating in the plot for Celeste to fake her death offering no leverage against himself.
But he also didn’t completely deny it, tacitly acknowledging all the causal connections.
The moment his voice fell, the reporters in the room were instantly left speechless.
Had he committed a crime or not?
The crowd was left entirely to guess, yet no one dared to press the issue further.
The reporters exchanged glances, the hands holding their microphones stiffening slightly.
The scene was quiet for two seconds before a reporter, prompted by Declan, pulled the topic back on track.
“Then who will take charge of the Sterling Group’s overall situation. moving forward? With no leader, the group is in imminent danger p>
“Does your stepping forward to host this press conference today prove that you will resign from your current job and return to inherit the family business p>
Facing the cameras, Jarred’s tone was steady but his attitude was firm.
“First, I will not resign from my current position.
Secondly, the outside rumors that the Sterling Group is leaderless are purely false speculations.
The accident involving Maloney has not been fully investigated yet, and it is far too early for any final conclusions p>
He paused for a moment, his gaze looking straight into the lens, his words resounding powerfully.
“But the Sterlings have never been an empty shell of a corporation reliant on a single person to stay afloat.