Never Judge

The crowd kept their full attention to the man on the stage, he had not only told them about his true identity, but he had other matters to address. 

They knew that his identity was not the only thing on the agenda as they eagerly waited for his next statements.

"On the other matter." Cedric said as he adjusted the microphone on the podium. "I would like to inform you that there was an attack on my wife, son, sister, and mother earlier today at Pris Mall."

This was a fact that the media only needed confirmation on. They had seen the videos posted all over social media, the bodyguard that heroically jumped at the attacker while Ayanna and the little boy in her arms escaped.

"Unfortunately a brave life was lost in the attack, a body guard that both my wife and I had considered to be family." Cedric said with a frown, showing an unpreceded show of emotion. "Her name was Mia, and she gave up her life to protect my son. My wife and I will forever be thankful for her. She will be buried as a member of the Reyes Family."

The reporters quickly noted everything down, this was the first time that an employee would be laid to rest as a member of the elite family. Traditionally families like the Reyeses did not let people come too close, so hearing Cedric say that a bodyguard would be treated as a member of the family was just earth shattering.

"For those that were wondering, it was this very same attack that prompted me to come out and show who I truly am. In the beginning I kept my identity a secret in order to protect my family, my wife and my son. Now that they have figured out who are most important to me, it has become useless to keep who I am as a secret." Cedric told the members of the media.

"It wasn't just my wife's bodyguard, Mia, that was hurt during the attack, my mother, Priscilla Clarin - Reyes was also hurt." The members of the press weren't shocked by the news but they were still surprised by the Reyes family head's transparency on the issue. Usually events like these were closely guarded secrets as it could affect the company's stock prices.

"I am happy to announce that my mother has already recovered from her injuries." Cedric announced. "Initially there was a worry from her doctors, my mother is no longer young and she had lost so much blood, as a matter of fact we were told to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. It comes as a relief to me to inform you all that my mother has already regained consciousness and is on the road to a full recovery." 

Cedric watched as the reporters took note of everything he said, many of them were broadcasting live, while others would be posting their stories on social media or publishing it on the local paper. 

Cedric couldn't help but wonder how some of them felt, they had been rushing the Reyes Group to release a statement earlier that day, and now they knew the reason why they couldn't.

"I know many of you were simply doing their jobs when you pressed us for a statement." Cedric added as he observed the reporters eyeing him in shock. They didn't expect him to address the way they had pressed them. "For now, I hope you will understand if my family and my company refuses your interviews. We want to be there for our mother as she recuperates." 

Cedric noticed the reporters all nodding in unison.

"Very well, I will give you this opportunity to ask your questions. After this, I will have to ask you all to respect my family's privacy." Cedric said as he nodded at Dave who announced that any reporter that wanted to ask a question could do so.

"Sir." One reporter said as he was handed a microphone and stood up. "You told us that you had undergone some sort of poverty training. Is it safe to assume that all members of the Reyes Family goes through this?"

"No, not all. Only those that are chosen to inherit the family business in the future. The Reyes Heirs." Cedric explained.

"Sir, does this mean your son, Emilio Reyes IV, will also go through the same training?" The same reporter asked.

"My son will go through something similar." Cedric said with a nod. "But I plan on changing things a bit, I feel like the poverty training I went through was quite wasteful." 

The reporter nodded and returned the microphone to one of the ushers who helped out in the press con.

Another reporter was called to ask his question.

"Sir, what happened to the Hernandez family, were you involved in that?" The reporter asked.

"What happened to them was of their own doing." Cedric answered simply, he did not want to elaborate on what had happened to his in law.

The reporter quickly picked up that Cedric did not want to discuss the topic any further, so he handed the microphone back as well.

"Sir, will the Reyes Group be absorbing your wife's company, Island's Inc.?" Another reporter asked.

"No." Cedric said, shaking his head. "I will not take from my wife her hard work, but expect to see closer cooperation between Island's Inc. and the Reyes Group. It will be the same treatment that Clarin Industries had received after my mother married my father.

Cedric was sure that even if he didn't absorb Island's Inc. under the Reyes Group the company's stock prices would soar and everyone would want to cooperate with them, after all, who wouldn't want to work with the madam of the Reyes family. 

The same thing had happened to Clarin Industries after Priscilla and Emilio had been married, everyone wanted to get close to the Reyes Family, and to many the easiest route seemed to be to go through the new CEO's wife.

"Sir, have you identified who made an attempt on your family?" A reporter asked.

"That part is confidential, but we are working with the government to solve it." Cedric explained with a nod. Working with Alexi, was in his head, working with the government. 

"Sir what do you plan on doing to the people who have looked down on you during your poverty training?" A reporter asked, making Cedric grin.

"To them, I promise, they will receive what they have given." Cedric said as he ended the press conference and left the stage.

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