The Tycoon's Odyssey

After Evan left, Nathaniel first addressed the misunderstanding as soon as possible.

Sitting before the camera, his face shadowed but resolute, he was ready to reveal the secrets that had lingered in silence for far too long.

He began, his voice steady but tinged with a feeling of deep, underlying sorrow.

"Suri Barret is my firstborn. My daughter," he announced. "There are those who want to slander her, claiming that she is illegitimate, or that I was lured by her mother's charms is nothing but a lie."

"And I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. My love for Suri, and for her mother, was sincere and unwavering."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. "It was not my first family that betrayed me," he continued, his gaze hardening, "but my second wife. Rena used her influence and her family's power to drive a wedge between us, to tear apart what I had cherished the most. I allowed her manipulations to poison my life and distort my relationship with my daughter. For that, I have one to blame but myself."

His gaze hardened as he added, "Suri is my first child, born even before I married Rena. However, I have always acknowledged her as my own blood and won't allow others to spread lies about her any longer."

Nathaniel's confession ended with a solemn nod, the regret clear in his eyes. He laid bare the pain and injustice Suri had endured, exposing the deceit and hypocrisy that had plagued his family.

The video was uploaded and quickly spread like wildfire, captivating the attention of viewers across countless platforms.

The reaction from the public was swift and intense. Social media, online forums, and news outlets buzzed with shock at the revelations, with many expressing shock at the depth of betrayal and manipulation that had occurred within the powerful Barret family.

Sympathy for Suri surged as people saw her in a new light, not as a figure shrouded in scandal but as a victim of vicious familial power struggles.

Many commended Nathaniel for finally stepping forward with the truth, while others criticized him for keeping a mum all these years. The prevailing sentiment, however, was one of respect for Suri, who had endured so much without complaint.

Some were quick to rally behind Suri, declaring support for her claim to her father's legacy.

Others condemned Nathaniel's second wife for the role she had played in orchestrating the rift, with harsh criticism pouring in from all sides. The story became a hot topic, with debates over loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of ambition sparking intense discussions across various circles.

_____

After clearing the air, Nathaniel wasted no time and took quick action by calling for a board meeting.

The atmosphere in the Barret estate's grand boardroom was tense as members of the family, high-ranking executives, and stakeholders gathered.

The long, polished table was surrounded by an array of faces, some familiar, others estranged family members who had long kept their distance but were now eager to witness the outcome of this scandal. Among them were the loyal allies of Paul and Rena, present to lend their silent support and a few indifferent onlookers, wary of the drama that was about to unfold.

Murmurs rippled through the gathering as glances filled with uncertainty and veiled suspicion were exchanged.

A good number of the present were close allies of Paul and Rena, hoping to see their rise continue unchallenged. Others looked worried, uncomfortable with the sudden attention and wary of what Nathaniel's shocking confession might mean for the family's fragile dynamics.

At last, Paul and Rena entered. Their expressions, a mix of defiance and strain, betrayed by the unease that couldn't be hidden as they exchanged a brief glance before fixing their gazes on Nathaniel, who stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable.

Nathaniel's calm, almost detached stare sent a flicker of unease through the two, hinting at the quiet resolve in his demeanor that they hadn't seen in years.

As they took their seats, whispers intensified, urging Nathaniel to reveal his purpose for calling this sudden, high-stakes meeting.

_____

In the luxurious conference room of the Barret family estate, the board meeting commenced with a heavy silence. All eyes were on Nathaniel Barret, the family's imposing patriarch, as he sat at the head of the table, his gaze cold and unyielding. The gathered board members exchanged wary glances, sensing that this wasn't going to be just any ordinary meeting.

Nathaniel raised his hand to silence the crowd, his cold eyes sweeping over the room before he spoke, his voice was steady, commanding attention. "I've called you all here for a matter that can no longer be ignored."

Paul and Rena exchanged another uneasy look, their unease deepening, yet still uncertain of what he intended.

"Someone has broken the family's code," Nathaniel declared, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the last of the murmurs. He then took a deliberate pause, his gaze hard and unyielding as he let his words sink in before continuing. "And we must decide what to do about it."

The room fell into a deep, expectant silence, everyone waiting and staring at him to see who would fall under Nathaniel's scrutiny and what consequences would soon follow.

Nathaniel's voice, sharp and unwavering, cut through the silence. "We're here today to address a matter that goes against everything this family stands for," he began, his tone as hard as granite. He looked directly at Paul and his mother, Rena, who were seated across from him and were trying to maintain their composure, though there was a flicker of apprehension in their eyes.

Paul managed to force a smile, though it faltered under the weight of the stares of his father and the others.

"This family," Nathaniel continued, "has rules—rules that have been broken." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Rules that were put in place to protect every member, including my eldest daughter, Suri."

Saying this he looked at Rena who protested even before Nathaniel could blame her and tried to take a stance.

Rena's lips tightened, and she scoffed quietly. "Nathaniel, this is absurd. We've done nothing to Suri—nothing that warrants such an accusation."

Paul nodded in agreement, feigning a calm he clearly didn't feel. "Father, with all due respect, these claims are all baseless. Suri's… issues are her own. We've done nothing to harm her, and to suggest otherwise—"

Nathaniel's palm struck the table with a resounding thud, silencing Paul mid-sentence. "Enough!" His voice resonated with such intensity that even the most seasoned members were startled. Without another word, Nathaniel reached into his briefcase, pulled out a tablet, and tossed it onto the center of the table.

"Take a look," he said coldly.