Page 106 of Burning Your Lies

She nods. “Good. What else?”

On instinct, goosebumps rise on my skin. It’s like I’m watching a movie reel and I can see how scared I was at her calm nature. She spoke to Xavier with little emotion until she threatened me.

The word slips out. “Time.” I stand up. “You made him come to you.”

“I didn’t give time to cover his lies. I made him panic. Do you understand now?”

My eyes dart to the safe hidden in the closet. Walking over, I unlock the safe and eye the envelope Brynn handed me that night on the cliff. I clutch it close and take a deep breath.

Emery stands tall and proud in the doorway. “There is no more time to sit and wallow. Not everyone who takes a seat at the table is lucky enough to walk away from it. There are winners and there are losers. That is the game of life.”

I stare at her with teary eyes. “You would have loved Elise. She’s so perfect.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. She dabs her tears away. “You’re almost at the end. It’s time to show the world your hand and let him call your bluff.”

I decline Brynn’s call and take a few deep breaths before stepping out of the lift and into the lobby. I wasn’t expecting such a big turnout, but I guess the tabloids are desperate for any information about the ghost Xavier made of himself. I keep my head held high and pretend the flashes from the cameras don’t blind me.

The loud chatter falls to silence when I stand before them. They all shove their microphones closer, eagerly expecting my awaited statement.

I can’t look at all the cameras, so I focus on the one in the front.

“My name is Savannah Ray-Hayes. I have had many roles in Xavier River’s life. I started as his barista at the coffee shop near his company building. He then hired me to be the surrogate for him and his wife. During that, I became an employee in his company as a PA to my now-husband. I was also a tenant in his home before, during and after pregnancy. I was his mistress. After his wife passed, I was his girlfriend. I was the acting andlegalmother to his child. I was then a victim of his controlling and narcissistic behaviour. I was then his prisoner for fifteen months when he wrongfully had me sectioned. Upon my release, I was then reemployed as hisPA at XR Securities. Xavier has made me a party of a legal custody battle over our child. And now Xavier has made me his next target.”

I take a deep breath and stare out into the crowd. In the far distance, I see all those I’ve been fighting for, with Emery standing front and centre. She smiles at me with a nod of encouragement.

“Xavier has proven time and time again that he is larger than the law. There are too many people who have simply vanished around him and the police have not questioned him, let alone held him responsible. So, I stand before you all today with a simple request.Helpme.Saveme from this man. He is dangerous. He is a monster. He is a murderer and is planning to kill me.”

47

Xavier

I lean back inmy seat as I watch the show she’s putting on for the world. I almost applaud her performance. The tears and crack in her voice are worthy of an award. She thinks doing this is going to strengthen the police’s investigation into me. But here I am, sat on my throne inmyoffice, on the highest floor; completely and utterly free and untouchable. It was a smart move to murder Henry and try to pin it on me. But she failed because ultimately she did me a favour by discarding of him. And then there is the obvious – I didn’t kill him and they can’t prove something that never happened.

I dial the extension number for Francesca and patiently wait for her to answer.

“What can I help you with?”

I smile. “Please notify all the big news broadcast channels that Xavier Rivers will make a statement outside of XR Securities in the next ten minutes.”

There’s a slight pause. “Yes, sir,” she mumbles.

Closing my laptop, I stand up and tuck my chair in. I stand in front of my office door and run my finger over the engravedletters of my name and title. Savannah can pull whatever stunt she wants. I never got here at ease. My rightful belongings are constantly targeted by vultures. Whether that be the women in my life, my money, my business accolades, my intellect, ideas, or my reputation.None of them have ever succeeded.

Because I always win.

I make sure of it.

In the glass's reflection, I smooth my hair over. I straighten my tie and ensure my suit sleeves align with the cuffs of my shirt. I smile at myself.I’m going to enjoy this.

Opening the door, I walk across the floor with my head held high. I call the elevator and patiently wait for the doors to open. As I walk through the foyer, all eyes fixate on me. As expected, crews are already outside waiting. This is what happens when you yield actual power.

No words are needed to have all their attention and cameras on me. My presence has a blend of fear, anxiety, and excitement in their eyes. I smile.

“Good afternoon. Over the past few months, news organisations around the country and parts of the world have continued to make speculations about me. I have always maintained a level of privacy to protect those near to me. However, I am being forced to break those boundaries and refute these allegations from individuals who live their lives to tear others down. Please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Xavier Rivers. First and foremost, I am a father to a beautiful child. I am the founder and CEO of a multi-billion-pound company known as XR Securities. I am a widow to my late wife Emery Rivers, who tragically passed in an accident two years ago. But let me be clear, I amnota murderer. These allegations are purely fictitious and slander. I have paid no attention to the public propagation of these falsehoods. Nevertheless, if they choose to carry on, I will not hesitate totake legal measures against those individuals for defamation, together with my team of lawyers.

In response to the accusation of murder against my mother, I would like to make the following statement. During her marriage to my father, my mother was involved in an act of infidelity with Henry Pruitt. The affair persisted for many years, and upon my father’s discovery of it, my mother departed the country. She completely cut off all contact with us. Following the demise of my father, my intention was to reconcile with her. However, I discovered she had already passed away the previous year because of natural causes.

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