Harper’s phone buzzed with a text from Ethan.
Ethan: There’s some chatter going around online that Charles tried to shop a story blaming Seb for everything. Claims he has signed docs proving involvement. No one will touch it—apparently they all hung up on him.
She showed the message to Craig, who read it with grim satisfaction.
“Desperation,” Craig said. “When a man like Charles Hawthorne can’t even get tabloid journalists to print his lies, you know you’ve won.”
“Should we respond?” Harper asked.
“Absolutely. We anticipated this move.” Craig turned to their PR team. “Draft a statement emphasizing our multiple independent sources and the protected whistleblower. Make it clear that Mr. Rousseau provided valuable context but wasn’t our primary source. And Harper—”
“Yes?”
“Make sure Sebastian knows that his father just tried to destroy him to save himself. He should hear it from us first.”
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE
For immediate release:
The Chronicle stands by its recent investigative series, “The Price of Power: The Hawthorne Web.” Our reporting, which meticulously details widespread fraud, bribery, and misappropriation of charitable funds, is the result of a rigorous, months-long investigation based on extensive documentation and corroborated by multiple, independentsources.
Any claims suggesting that this exposé is the result of a single, potentially biased source, or that it represents a personal vendetta, are a desperate and transparent attempt to deflect from the serious allegations against Lord Charles Hawthorne.
We can confirm that a key whistleblower, an individual with direct access to the financial operations of the Hawthorne Foundation and whose identity we have rigorously protected due to the significant personal risks involved, provided crucial initial information and extensive documentation that formed the bedrock of our investigation. This primary source acted out of a profound sense of civic duty and concern for public welfare.
However, our investigation’s core findings and the documented evidence stand independently, thoroughly verified, and do not rely solely on any single source’s account.
Our commitment is to the truth, and to holding power accountable, regardless of attempts to muddy the waters with manufactured scandals.
We urge the public and media to remain focused on the substantive issues of widespread corruption revealed by our reporting, which has now prompted formal investigations by the Serious Fraud Office and the Charity Commission.
#JusticeForHawthorneVictims #FollowTheMoney #InvestigativeJournalism
* * *
Charles sat among the scattered documents, staring at his phone’s screen. The Chronicle’s statement was precise, professional, devastating. They’d not only anticipated his move—they’d prepared for it.
Multiple independent sources. Protected whistleblower.Rigorously verified.
The words blurred as he realized the full scope of his defeat. Sebastian hadn’t just betrayed him—Sebastian had orchestrated it so thoroughly that even Charles’s attempt at patricidal revenge had been neutralized before he’d made it.
His son—his brilliant, charming, carefully trained son—had played him perfectly.
Charles Hawthorne closed his eyes and finally understood that he was truly, completely alone.
35
The Price of Power
TheChronicle’snewsroom was a study in controlled chaos, thrumming with an energy that hadn’t dissipated since the press conference. On the large screens mounted around the room, news channels were still dissecting the King’s words and Sebastian’s stunning renunciation.
Harper, David Geoffries, and Craig were huddled in one of theChronicle’sglass meeting rooms, watching the fallout unfold. The King’s declaration had been a masterstroke—an unmistakable command for the nation to pay attention to what they were about to publish.
Geoffries, who had been juggling edits and verification all day, was visibly exhausted—running solely on caffeine and adrenaline. “Everyone is clamouring for more on the Hawthorne story.”
“We should go live with Part Two now,” Harper said. Her voice was calm, but her eyes burned with urgency. “It details the intricate dance of donations and suspiciously timed policy decisions. Let’s not give Hawthorne a moment to breathe.”
Craig nodded. “I agree. We don’t wait. Hit them hard and fast.” He sent a quick email to the digital team with a single word: Go.