### **Arc 3: The Rise of the Rival**
#### **Chapter 10: A Public Counterattack**
The press conference was set to begin at 2 PM, and the grand hall of Seoul's Elite Convention Center was packed with journalists, cameras, and curious onlookers. The buzz in the air was palpable. The leaked documents accusing Jae-min of embezzlement had been dominating the news cycle for days.
Ji-ah adjusted her press badge and glanced around. She spotted reporters from every major outlet in attendance. Noah had stirred the pot well, and Jae-min's response today could either salvage his reputation or completely ruin him.
At precisely 2 PM, the doors opened, and Jae-min walked in with calm confidence. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, his sharp gaze swept over the crowd before he took the podium. Behind him, a massive screen displayed a slide with a single line: **"Truth Always Prevails."**
Elyra's voice buzzed in Jae-min's earpiece. "All systems are ready. Let's make this count."
Jae-min adjusted the mic, his expression firm but approachable. "Thank you all for being here. I know the past week has been rife with speculation and doubt about my integrity. Today, I will address the allegations and lay out the truth for everyone to see."
---
As Jae-min spoke, Ji-ah watched closely. His words were measured, his tone steady. He started by addressing the leaked documents head-on.
"These so-called 'proofs' of embezzlement are not only baseless but fabricated," he declared. "And I have evidence to prove it."
He gestured toward the screen behind him. Elyra's carefully curated slideshow began, displaying a timeline of the transactions mentioned in the leaks. Each one was cross-referenced with real financial records, which showed a completely different picture.
"These transactions were altered to paint me as a criminal," Jae-min continued. "Here are the original records, audited and verified by third-party firms."
The room buzzed with murmurs as reporters scribbled notes and exchanged glances. Ji-ah leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she compared the information on the screen with her own research.
Jae-min wasn't done. "Furthermore," he said, "I've uncovered the source of these fabricated documents."
He stepped aside as a new slide appeared, showing a photo of Jung Min-seok, the mole in his company. Below the photo were screenshots of emails and text messages linking him directly to Noah's team.
"This individual, an employee of my company, was bribed to steal and alter confidential data," Jae-min explained. "We have submitted all evidence to the authorities, and legal action is underway."
---
At that moment, Noah was watching the livestream from his office. His jaw clenched as Jae-min methodically dismantled his scheme.
"This isn't over," Noah muttered, slamming his fist on the desk.
---
Back at the conference, Jae-min delivered his final blow. "I understand that trust is hard to rebuild once doubt has been sown. That's why I'm opening all my company's financial records to an independent audit. Transparency is the cornerstone of my business, and I will not let lies undermine it."
He stepped away from the podium, signaling the end of his speech. The room erupted into questions, but Jae-min only answered a few before exiting. He had said everything he needed to.
---
Later that evening, Ji-ah sat in her apartment, reviewing her notes. She couldn't deny that Jae-min's evidence was compelling. He wasn't just defending himself—he was turning the tables.
Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Jae-min:
**"Did I pass your test?"**
She smirked and replied, **"You're not as bad as I thought. For now."**
---
Meanwhile, Elyra appeared beside Jae-min as he sipped a glass of wine on his balcony.
"That was a solid performance," she said, her holographic form glowing softly.
Jae-min nodded. "The tide is turning, but we can't relax yet. Noah won't give up so easily."
"Neither will we," Elyra replied, her eyes gleaming with determination.
In the distance, the city lights sparkled, a reminder of the challenges still ahead. But for now, Jae-min had won the first battle in this war of power and reputation.