Chapter 74
Chapter 74:
Alden provided a detailed and transparent explanation of the accident’s cause.
Without making any unnecessary excuses, he explained that despite being new to Cheson, he had retained most of the original engineering team. His own oversight, he admitted, had led to the mishap.
Alden declared his intention to take full responsibility for the losses. He even announced a temporary halt on the redevelopment project for further review and enhancements.
This accident report was the clearest anyone had ever heard. For a moment, it rendered all the reporters speechless.
With no further questions forthcoming, the room fell into a profound silence. It was then that Helena rose to her feet.
Her voice was steady and clear as she broke the silence. “Mr. Wilson, I heard that the five individuals injured in this incident were all workers with hearing and speech disabilities. Could you clarify this point p>
Beside her, Dominick’s expression was one of sheer surprise as he tugged at her arm.
They had uncovered this information while preparing for the press conference. Dominick, believing it irrelevant to the core issues, had chosen to omit it. Now, Helena’s decision to mention this detail was unexpected to him.
Given Alden’s own hearing impairment, her question seemed sharply provocative.
A brief look of admiration flickered across Alden’s face, swiftly concealed as he responded calmly, “It’s not just those five. In fact, half of my newly hired workers have disabilities p>
Xavier caught on right away and added that after Alden stepped in to lead the project, he had built an engineering team where nearly half the members were people living with disabilities.
The revelation stunned the reporters; such details had never surfaced in any previous reports about the project.
Alden’s commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities was evident. He had poured so much time and effort into preparing and supporting the team—from early training all the way through their involvement in the project—that his dedication had gone well beyond what the redevelopment project actually required. Yet, he had chosen not to publicize this effort, aiming to shield his team from societal bias.
Helena’s question unexpectedly shifted the focus of the press conference.
Sweat beaded on Dominick’s forehead. “You don’t hold back when you’re chasing a story. Did you see Alden’s face? If stares could kill, you’d already be six feet under. Might want to keep your eyes open if you’re walking around after p>
Despite his cautionary words, he felt a sense of relief that Helena was his partner in the field today.
Certainly, at Nexus TV, no one but Helena would have had the courage to pose such a pointed question to Alden or redirect the trajectory of the press conference.
Helena’s incisive question opened the door for Nexus TV to craft an in-depth feature on the employment conditions of disabled workers.
Rylan watched the entire press conference with his jaw clenched and his eyes dark, the steady grind of his teeth betraying just how close he was to losing his temper.
The event had deviated entirely from his meticulously laid plans.
He blurted out in frustration, “Didn’t we provide Alden with a fall guy? Why isn’t he at the press conference p>
Caleb explained, “It seems Alden caught on to our plan to have the fall guy turn against him p>
Despite Rylan’s careful scheming, Alden had not taken the bait. Had Rylan anticipated this, he would have ensured Alden was killed in the accident.
Still seething, Rylan spotted Helena in the crowd at the press conference.
Surprised, he asked, “Helena? She’s still with Nexus TV p>
Only a few days earlier, he had worked behind the scenes to pressure every major media outlet into turning Helena’s scandal into front-page drama, making sure her name dominated the headlines. His goal was to strip Alden of any media support, and if his relationship with Helena was ever exposed, it would give him the perfect excuse to drag Alden’s reputation through the mud.
What caught him off guard was that Helena hadn’t backed down at all—she was still standing her ground at Nexus TV and was even delivering a live report right from the scene.
Caleb bowed his head even lower as he responded quietly, “Suddenly, bigger celebrity scandals erupted, overshadowing the controversy surrounding Helena p>
“Bigger celebrity scandals?” Rylan sneered.
He had not foreseen the newcomer with hearing impairment wielding such media influence. The funds required to divert the press must be enormous.
Resolved, Rylan said, “Find out exactly how much property Alden holds abroad p>
He would let Alden drain every last cent of the small inheritance his mother had left behind, and then he would see what kind of fight the man would have left in him.