Chapter 98 — The Counterattack
The Wilson estate was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Dinner had ended nearly an hour ago, but no one had really tasted the food.
Victor Dawson's press conference had swallowed the entire evening.
Amber stood near the tall windows overlooking the estate garden.
Her phone was in her hand.
Screen glowing.
Messages pouring in.
Camila – 14 missed calls.
News alerts – endless.
Journalists requesting statements.
Investors speculating online.
And social media—
Social media was chaos.
Some defended her.
Some believed Dawson.
Some just enjoyed the drama.
Amber scrolled once.
Then locked the screen.
Enough.
Behind her, Richard Wilson poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Alex stood across the room with his phone pressed to his ear, finishing another quiet conversation with someone from the legal team.
Mrs. Wilson watched Amber thoughtfully.
"You're thinking," she said.
Amber didn't turn.
"I usually do."
Mrs. Wilson smiled faintly.
"But right now you're planning."
Amber finally glanced back.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yes."
Amber leaned against the window frame.
"Victor Dawson just accused me of manipulating corporate deals on live television."
Mrs. Wilson nodded.
"And?"
"And I don't like people lying about me."
Alex ended his call and walked back into the room.
"They've already submitted the inquiry request."
Amber raised an eyebrow.
"That was fast."
"He planned it days ago."
"Of course he did."
Alex studied her face.
"You're still thinking about responding."
"Yes."
"No."
Amber sighed.
"You're very bossy tonight."
"I'm protecting you."
"I don't need protection."
His voice hardened slightly.
"Yes, you do."
Amber crossed her arms.
"And hiding makes me look guilty."
Alex's jaw tightened.
"That's not how this works."
"Then explain how it works."
"Victor Dawson controls half the financial media in this city."
Amber shrugged.
"Good for him."
"He can bury you."
"He already tried."
Silence.
Richard finally spoke from across the room.
"Alexander."
Alex turned slightly.
Richard gestured toward Amber.
"Let her speak."
Alex frowned.
"Father—"
"She understands the battlefield."
Amber glanced between them.
"…Thank you?"
Richard took a sip of whiskey.
"Victor Dawson didn't make that speech for investors."
Amber's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then who?"
Richard's gaze shifted toward Alex.
"You."
The realization clicked instantly.
Amber nodded slowly.
"He wants you angry."
Alex said nothing.
Amber continued.
"He wants you to make a public statement defending me."
"Yes," Richard said.
"And if I do?" Alex asked.
Amber answered before Richard could.
"Then it becomes a personal feud."
Mrs. Wilson nodded.
"And markets hate personal feuds."
Alex looked back at Amber.
"So what's your plan?"
Amber pushed away from the window.
A slow smile forming.
"We don't defend."
Alex frowned.
"We attack."
Richard's eyes lit with quiet interest.
"How?"
Amber held up her phone.
"We give Victor Dawson exactly what he asked for."
Alex's voice was cautious.
"Explain."
Amber opened a news app.
Pulled up Victor Dawson's statement again.
Then pointed at the screen.
"He asked for transparency."
"Yes," Alex said.
"So we give it to him."
"How?"
Amber smiled.
"Publicly."
Mrs. Wilson leaned forward slightly.
"You want a press conference."
Amber nodded.
"Yes."
Alex shook his head immediately.
"No."
"Alex—"
"No."
Amber frowned.
"You didn't even hear the rest."
"I know where this leads."
"Where?"
"You standing in front of cameras while reporters tear you apart."
Amber walked closer to him.
"And you think I can't handle that?"
He looked directly into her eyes.
"I know they'll try to destroy you."
Amber held his gaze.
"Then they better try harder."
Silence.
Tension thickened between them.
Finally—
Richard chuckled quietly.
"She reminds me of you at thirty."
Alex didn't look away from Amber.
"That's exactly what worries me."
Amber softened slightly.
"I'm not doing this alone."
Alex's expression didn't change.
"I know."
"And I'm not doing it recklessly."
"I know."
"And I'm not backing down."
He exhaled slowly.
"I know."
Amber smiled faintly.
"Then let me handle it."
Alex studied her for a long moment.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Finally—
He nodded once.
"Fine."
Amber blinked.
"That was easier than expected."
"Don't celebrate yet."
"Why?"
"Because if you do this…"
His voice lowered.
"…we do it properly."
Amber tilted her head.
"I like the sound of that."
Alex took her phone from her hand.
Opened his contacts.
Dialed a number.
Someone answered almost immediately.
"This is Alex Wilson."
Pause.
"Yes."
Pause.
"Schedule a press conference tomorrow morning."
Amber's pulse kicked up.
He continued calmly.
"Yes."
Pause.
"My fiancée will be making a statement."
Across the room—
Mrs. Wilson smiled faintly.
Richard lifted his glass.
"Interesting."
Alex ended the call.
Then looked directly at Amber.
"You wanted a battlefield."
Amber's smile sharpened.
"And you gave me one."
But across the city—
Inside a dark office overlooking the skyline—
Daniel Dawson watched the same news alerts appear on his tablet.
Breaking: Wilson Group Announces Morning Press Conference
Daniel leaned back slowly.
One corner of his mouth lifted.
"So she's stepping into the spotlight," he murmured.
He tapped Amber's photo on the screen.
Zooming in.
Studying her.
"Bold."
His assistant stood nearby.
"Should we prepare a response?"
Daniel shook his head slowly.
"No."
His smile deepened.
"Let her speak first."
Because Daniel Dawson didn't like ruining opponents immediately.
He preferred watching them walk into the trap themselves.