Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
Derrick
We just heard the news.
Andy
Amaya says we’re not allowed to form a rebellion during business hours, but after five, I’m flexible.
Kaori
Appreciate you checking in. But I’ve got this.
Leon
She’s a regular Princess Leia.
Leon Billings has added Theo Riverton to the chat.
Andy
HELLO, SIR.
Derrick
Uh. Hi. Welcome.
Leon
Thought it was time you were looped in.
Theo
Thank you.
Andy
Just to be clear, we’re not attacking anyone, are we?
Theo
No. Jedi mind tricks only. And not until you’re off the clock.
Derrick
Yes, sir.
On Monday, I sit on the edge of the suite’s bed, mindlessly chewing an onigiri. Normally it’s one of my favorite comforts, but right now it tastes like cold, sticky cardboard. I might as well be eating packing foam.
My eyes are glued to the massive wall-mounted television.
On-screen, Leon stands beside Theo at a hastily assembled podium outside Excelsior Parks HQ.
Flashbulbs erupt around them in jagged white bursts, and a commentator’s voice drones over the footage, breathlessly summarizing the chaos of the last few days—the false allegations, the abrupt firings, and the viral paparazzi clips of me being whisked away from the firm.
Even through the camera lens, Theo and Leon look exactly as ragged as I feel.
We spent the better part of Saturday and Sunday night huddling with a team of lawyers, palace representatives, and the HR team Theo actually trusts back in Orlando.
I lost count of the hours we spent debating tone and phrasing, trying to figure out how much of the truth to reveal without pouring high-octane gasoline on an already-blazing fire.
My chest tightens with a sharp pang of guilt.
Part of me feels like a coward sitting here in a plush suite instead of standing at that podium.
I should be there, facing the worst of the storm with Theo.
But I’ve been reminded by every advisor around me, and my own common sense, that the imperial family does not make public comments unless it is absolutely, direly necessary.
Right now, my physical presence would only inflame the press and shift the focus away from the actual corporate corruption.
I was dragged into this, yes. But the public-facing part of this particular fight belongs to Theo. At least when it comes to clearing the air. My job is to be the backbone behind the scenes. His is to be the face of change.
The cameras zoom in as Theo steps toward the podium. Microphones jut forward like spears, reporters leaning in, hungry for what he’s about to say. Theo unfolds the paper with careful, deliberate movements. He glances toward Leon, who gives a small nod.
Theo grips the edges of the podium, lifts his chin, and begins. “Good morning. Thank you for being here. I’ll keep this brief.” The crowd stills, the silence so absolute, I can hear the faint hum of the television.
“My name is Theodore Riverton. I am a third-generation member of the family that founded Excelsior Parks. Until yesterday afternoon, I served as the director of the Orlando field office. However, Cuthbert Harris—the company’s chief operating officer and my father—decided I was no longer useful to him, and I was terminated. ”
He lets the words settle. “Under normal circumstances, a family disagreement would not be newsworthy. But my father has chosen to operate as though he is above accountability, prioritizing his own image at any cost.”
A murmur ripples through the reporters.
Theo takes a single, sharp breath. “I stand before you today to speak plainly. The public deserves to know the true character of Cuthbert Harris, a man my grandfather would be ashamed to call his successor. In recent years, he has not only placed Excelsior Parks on financially unstable footing, but has resorted to intimidation, retaliation, and the falsification of internal narratives to hide those failures.”
My stomach clenches. The buzz of the reporters increases as a flash goes off. He has everyone’s full, undivided attention.
“He has targeted employees, silenced complaints, buried HR reports, and weaponized the press against people who had no power to defend themselves. Including . . .” Theo hesitates just long enough for the camera to zoom in. “Including someone I care about deeply.”
My breath catches.
“Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Sorahino, known to many of you as Kaori Minami, has been wrongfully portrayed as a threat to the company,” Theo continues, voice steady with conviction.
“That claim is a blatant lie. She has done nothing but work with integrity, diligence, and extraordinary professionalism.”
“The truth is this—My father attempted to blackmail her and publicly humiliate her in an effort to force access to high-level theme-park executives across Asia—contacts he intended to exploit in a last-ditch attempt to cover Excelsior Parks’ growing financial instability.”
A wave of murmurs ripples through the reporters.
“My father’s actions weren’t an isolated incident,” Theo continues, his gaze sweeping across the sea of cameras.
“Over the last seventy-two hours, a significant number of former employees have come forward with accounts of systemic retaliation and missing HR reports. Some of those suppressed records”—his voice roughens, taking on a hard, protective edge—“date back years.”
He pauses, letting the weight of that corruption hang in the air before delivering the final blow.
“In light of these revelations, my grandmother, Margaret Harris, who retains the controlling interest in Excelsior Parks, has begun the formal process of removing Cuthbert Harris from his leadership position. Effective immediately, she will assume interim oversight of the company while a comprehensive independent investigation is conducted.”
A collective gasp comes from the crowd, followed by a burst of shocked chatter that threatens to drown out the rest of the broadcast. The king is being dethroned by his own mother, on live television.
“When the investigation is complete, the board will begin searching for new leadership. It is my sincere hope that the company will find someone capable of restoring the values my grandfather built this firm on—transparency, safety, and integrity. Values that were systematically dismantled under my father’s leadership. ”
“And finally,” Theo says, gaze sweeping across the reporters, “I ask that the press respect the privacy of Her Imperial Highness and her family. She has been unfairly thrust into a situation she had no part in creating. Please allow her the dignity and space she deserves. Thank you.”
I rise and clap, even though he can’t hear me.
Pride blooms under my ribs. Theo. My Theo.
The man who admits he breaks into hives when someone asks him to speak in public just stood in front of dozens of cameras without wavering.
He sounded confident. You’d never know he considered having Leon read his statement for him.
Before Theo can step away, a voice cuts through the crowd like a blade. “Mr. Riverton! If you’re distancing yourself from your father and the company, does this mean you don’t plan to take over as the head of Excelsior Parks?”
Theo hesitates, then he steps back up to the mic, sliding his hands into his pockets.
“No,” he says simply. “I’m not the right person to lead the company.
And I won’t be returning to Excelsior Parks.
My focus is on accountability and supporting those affected.
I won’t be taking further questions today. ”
He turns away as a fresh wave of shouted questions erupts behind him.
Leon moves in beside him immediately, murmuring something that makes Theo’s shoulders drop half an inch.
Relief, maybe? Or just the realization that the hardest part is over.
Security surrounds them both, forming a human wall to guide them through the crush of reporters and into a waiting van.
The live feed cuts back to the studio. I mute it. My ears are ringing anyway. Then my phone buzzes.
Theo
I’m heading to the embassy. If you’re in the mood, I’d like to watch another episode of The Office. I need to think about literally anything else for a bit.
A small, helpless smile tugs at my mouth. How on earth did he text me so fast? Did he send this from the podium? I shake my head and type back.
Kaori
Of course. I have all day. So do you. We’re both technically unemployed.
Another buzz.
Theo
Hmm. Maybe that means we should binge the entire third season.
Kaori
I’m game if you are.
Theo
Challenge accepted.
The guys from Orlando also send their congratulatory texts.
Andy
Just watched the press conference. That was very “Captain America calmly returning the shield” energy.
Derrick
Yeah. Also, we wanted you to know, you may not be our boss anymore, but we’re opting in.
Leon
Should I even ask what that’s supposed to mean?
Andy
Come on, Dad, it means we’re Team Cap.
Leon
I’m still lost.
Kaori
The guys are sweetly trying to say that wherever Theo goes, they’ll follow.
Leon
Got it.
Theo
What if it was a paper company in Scranton?
Kaori
I’d still go.
Andy
Me too.
Derrick
Ditto.
Leon
What they said.
Theo
Noted.