Chapter 30 - The London Press Conference
The press room at the Mayfair Hotel in central London was packed to absolute capacity. Over two hundred journalists, financial reporters, and cultural critics sat under the blinding glare of television lights, murmuring anxiously among themselves. Rumors had leaked hours earlier that Valente Holdings and Maestro Elena Moretti were about to drop a bombshell regarding European cultural monopolies.
At exactly 10:00 AM, the side doors opened.
Dante Valente walked in first, his sharp charcoal suit and commanding presence instantly silencing the room. He took his position beside the central podium, acting not just as a husband, but as the powerful financial backing behind the entire operation.
Then, Elena Moretti stepped up to the microphone.
She wore a sleek, midnight-black blazer, her silver watch gleaming under the lights. She didn't wait for the flashbulbs to slow down or the reporters to quiet themselves. She began speaking immediately, her voice carrying a crisp, absolute authority that commanded every ear in the room.
"Good morning," Elena began. "For decades, the Moretti Conservatory has operated under the guise of an independent cultural sanctuary. Today, we are releasing certified financial records, original authorship contracts, and sworn testimonies proving that the institution's leadership systematically fabricated financial distress, suppressed foundational compositions, and embezzled millions in endowment funds through illicit offshore accounts."
A chaotic wave of gasps and shouting erupted from the press corps. Flashbulbs strobed frantically. Microphones thrust forward.
"Effective immediately," Elena continued smoothly, her voice cutting effortlessly through the noise, "our legal team has filed emergency asset-freezing injunctions across three European jurisdictions. Furthermore, the newly established Moretti-Valente Foundation is initiating a complete structural audit to return all stolen artistic copyrights back to their original creators."
A reporter from the Financial Times jumped to his feet, shouting over the din. "Maestro Moretti! Your uncle, Victor Moretti, still serves as the conservatory's director. How do you respond to allegations that this is a hostile corporate takeover?"
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Dante stepped up to the microphone, his dark eyes scanning the room with chilling composure.
"It’s not a hostile takeover," Dante said quietly, his voice carrying that lethal, unmistakable edge. "It’s a rescue mission. And the eviction notice was served an hour ago."
