Never Judge

Cedric sat inside his car with Ayanna as his driver took them to Constellations Resort. In the past few hours the Reyes Family had managed to capture the attention of everyone on social media. All people could talk about was Camilla's promotion and the press conference that the Reyes Group would be hosting.

"Will you be showing your real face?" Ayanna asked her elder brother.

"No. Not yet." Cedric said with a weak smile.

"Don't you get tired of pretending? I mean your disguise might seem simple but I know there is a lot of effort in fixing your hair, changing your outfit, it's not exactly convenient. To add to that your safety is always at risk, you walk around with only Leon, what if the mole knows who you really are and reveals it to the world? What will you do then? Or what if the mole is plotting to harm you?" Ayanna asked him.

Cedric sighed, he understood where his sister was coming from, he was worried about the mole knowing that Cedric Reyes and the Reyes Heir were the same person. 

"I know you're worried sister." Cedric told Ayanna as he patted her hand. "But maybe my anonymity is my best disguise. Without the flashy car or the horde of bodyguards people think I'm not important, so they look past me."

"I'm just worried." Ayanna said with a sigh.

"Soon, I'm sure soon." Cedric said as he comforted her.

As soon as their car approached Cedric could see the press trying to get in, but when they caught sight of the car they quickly ran over in an attempt to get an exclusive scoop. 

The Reyes Group had come prepared, the car the media was swarming was a decoy. Cedric and Ayanna, were in fact riding a second, less eye catching car that the press managed to miss. The car drove to the VIP parking and the siblings alighted the car.

It was Cedric's friend Tom that greeted them.

"This way." Tom said with a smile. He couldn't boast that he was friends with the Reyes Heir, but he was more than proud to escort him to the VIP holding area for the press conference.

"He speaks highly of you." Ayanna said as they walked through the empty halls. It had been cleared prior to their arrival for their safety.

"Thank you." Tom said as he was still quite starstruck to meet Ayanna in person. 

Tom left them in the VIP room with only a few minutes to spare to the actual event.

"Nervous?" Ayanna asked Cedric.

Cedric simply nodded.

"I am too. Where's dad?" She asked.

Cedric laughed. "He isn't coming. He said something about wanting us to be the new face and future of the company so he didn't want to be seen." 

"Ugh, he just wants to retire and play golf." Ayanna complained.

"Ayanna, you've been running Elisia Malls mostly on your own the past few years. Don't tell me you're nervous about nothing changing." Cedric teased his sister.

"It's not that and you know it." Ayanna said quite sourly at him. "This changes everything, people will think we are vulnerable cause you are young or because you don't have the proper connections. There is so much that could happen."

"And you don't think I can handle it?" Cedric asked his sister.

"No, I trust you. I just hate it when people talk about you like that." Ayanna said, shaking her head.

A knock soon came and Ian entered. "It's time." he announced as they walked through the hallway and up the stage.

As Cedric climbed up he was blinded momentarily by all of the flashes in the room, the reporters wanted to get a photo of the elusive Reyes Heir.

"Mr. Reyes, Mrs. Laurence!" Members of the press called out as they tried to get a photo of the siblings looking at their direction, but Cedric and Ayanna walked calmly to their seats.

"Friends from the press, we would like to ask everyone to please calm down." The head of the Reyes Group's PR department said over the microphone. 

The audience did as they were asked and calmed down.

"Today the Reyes Group had an announcement to make." The PR head began. "As 10am this morning, Mr. Emilio Reyes III has stepped down as the President and CEO of the Reyes Group."

All of the sudden the crowd erupted again as the reporters began to ask one question after another.

"Please all your questions will be answered in time." The PR head said once more.

"As of this moment, the man known publicly as the Reyes Heir will be appointed as President and CEO of the Reyes Group." The PR head announced. He paused in anticipation of everyone's reaction.

"Mor Co. will remain directly under Mr. Reyes with Ms. Montero as it's VP, in addition to this, the Reyes Group would like to announce that there will be no changes in Elisia Mall's management, Mrs. Ayanna Reyes - Laurence will remain at the helm of the company reporting only to her elder brother." The PR head took a deep breath as he knew the next bit of information would stun the crowd. "We would also like to announce that Clarin Industries has been absorbed by the Reyes Group and will be led by Mrs. Ayanna Reyes - Laurence, all shares once belonging to Mr. Emilio Reyes III have been transferred to his son."

Cedric eyes the audience, they were clearly surprised, no one expected that the Reyes Group would absorb Clarin Industries, they thought that it would go to the next most senior member of the Clarin family not the children of Priscilla Clarin - Reyes.

"You may ask your questions now." The PR Head said as a member of the staff placed a microphone at the center.

The reporters quickly stood from their seats and grabbed the opportunity.

"Sir, what is the reason for this turnover? Mr. Emilio Reyes III is still young compared to all the other Presidents and CEOs out there? Is he sick?" One reporter asked.

Ayanna looked to her brother to see if he wanted to answer the question, Cedric nodded and picked up the microphone on the table.

"My father is well, thank you for asking. As for the reason behind the changing of the guard, all my father said was that he believes me to be ready." Cedric calmly answered.

"Miss Ayanna, what will happen to Elisia Malls in the future? Will it be treated like Clarin Industries and be gobbled up by your husband's family?" A male reporter asked.

Ayanna grinned, Cedric knew she expected questions like this. 

"No, Elisia Malls will always be Elisia Malls. Do you even know who my husband is?" Ayanna asked, her simple question sounded more like a threat, and of course it was a threat. People were aware that the Laurence family was frightfully powerful and to offend them was like asking for death.

"Mr. Reyes, will you show us your face?" A female reporter asked as she winked.

"No." Cedric answered simply and waved at the PR Head. He was done with questions. 

At that the PR Head quickly wrapped things up as Cedric and Ayanna exited the stage.

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