Page 281 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“I’d love to talk about my love life, but that’s not the point of me being present. I’m here to address the serious allegations being publicly spread that do Strattonville Stadium a disservice. These actions have not only brought a negative impact against the team’s fruition on both ends but have encouraged individuals to believe we tolerate bullying, threatening, and criminal activities that threaten the safety of our players, staff, and fans who believe in both the Strattonville Vipers and the Saskatchewan Pincers. This needs to end here and now, for it will not be tolerated from this day onward.”

She crosses her arms before her on the table as she further sits up to stare directly into the camera.

“As the CEO, I’ve discussed this with all investors and supporters of our hockey initiative. Despite the various bumps along the road, this initiative has not only been approved by multiple businesses and other organizations, but because of the success and performance of our teams in particular, many world leaders have acknowledged it and wish for its continuation and expansion. That means whether or not the town itself approves of players’ relationships is out of context. The Strattonville Vipers will be permanent, and if this town won’t accept having their own team be the pioneers of such an empowering foundation in the world of sports, then we will support Captain O’Riley and the rest of the team’s decision to pick another country that will.”

More shutters and gasps ignite from her words, but she’s far from done.

“This also brings up the current investigation revolving around leaked footage that is circulating on social media. Though another incident is being investigated this morning involving two of our players from the Pincers, which will be addressed in another conference t a later time, the incident revolving around photos being taken on our property has been dealt with,” she announces.

“Sadly, the individual was part of the temporary staff. An intern who was given the same privilege of being on this property as any of us. Though she was arrested due to being a night caretaker and recently putting an elderly woman at risk of drowning last night, it was further revealed by one of our team nurses and the equipment manager that this individual has been devising any way to destroy the Strattonville Vipers reputation because of their sexual relations.”

“Will you reveal this individual’s name, CEO?”

“I will not,” she argues. “If you all have forgotten, any actions plotted against another due to their sexual orientation, relations, or religious beliefs, is a hate crime. The law was approved in 2023, and now that we are in 2025, there is no excuse why many in Strattonville, in particular, have forgotten such laws. The individual in question will be revealed when the police are ready to bring it to the public. An investigation is already underway, and our team nurse from the Saskatchewan Pincers and Wyatt Cyrus, the equipment manager for both teams, are further helping the investigation on our behalf. I’ve been approved to share their involvement because it’s been announced they were the ones to save the lady from drowning in freezing temperatures last night.”

That’s news to even me, leaving me to wonder who’s the elder woman involved.

“Finally, there’s one more thing to address, which involves Jayce Winchester. As you’re all aware, Jayce was the captain of Saskatchewan Pincers. He was recently involved in a public display of violence that, in turn, injured two of our own. It’s also been revealed that he’s been bullying a third individual within our organization and had tossed the blame on another, creating a fourth victim of circumstance.”

“Meaning Oscar Armani is innocent?”

“Meaning Oscar, the previous goalie of the Pincers, has been cleared of the wrongly accused actions and will be given compensation as well as his position as goalie once more.”

“If that’s the case, does this make Jayce guilty, and if so, what will happen to the Saskatchewan Pincers with no captain?”

“It’s not my place to speak about what will happen to Jayce Winchester’s future. With the current investigation developing, matched with new circulating footage being circulated of Winchester’s personal affairs with Armani, all I can vouch for is that Winchester is not welcome in this organization. Any investments or donations that have been funneled from himself and his father have been formally terminated. However, we need to address that we haven’t cut all ties with every Winchester.”

“Can you please elaborate, Ms. Sinclair?”

“Certainly.” She gestures to her left side, encouraging everyone to watch as Iris and Jamie Winchester emerge and head to the stage.

I’m not surprised the interviewers are losing their shit because Jamie really looks like Jayce’s copy. The only significant difference is the tattoo on his neck, which I’m pretty certain leads to a full sleeve of ink.

When he reaches the stage with Iris in tow, the room quiets down so the CEO can continue her reasoning.

“I’d like to formally introduce you all to Jamie Winchester. He is Jayce Winchester’s younger brother. Twin brother, may I emphasize,” she declares. “I’ve decided to take the initiative to introduce him for a number of reasons. The primary reason is to ensure he is not faced with unnecessary hate or wrongly identified as Jayce Winchester. Until the police have finished their investigations, Jayce Winchester is banned from the property. This is why I saw that it would be rather problematic if colleagues, as well as players and fans, confused Jamie for Jayce.”

She gestures to Jamie, who’s on her right.

“Jamie Winchester is the former captain of the Moscow Orcs. He’s been playing successfully in Moscow for over a decade, but due to the social media laws revolving around what can be shared in Moscow with the rest of the world, I’m positive many of you have not heard of or seen him. However, our initiative has encouraged even Moscow to want to participate, but instead of allowing their entire team to venture to Canada, we made a deal to allow Jamie to come to Canada for a few months and await an opening on a team that could still put him in the leadership role. We didn’t realize the captain’s position would become vacant for the Saskatchewan Pincers, but fate works in mysterious ways.”

She further extends her hand to Iris.

“Iris is Jamie’s girlfriend and was originally invited for an internship to build our social media platforms. Due to visa disruptions, their arrivals were both delayed, but because of this inconvenience, they were able to work together and help us gather evidence against the individual who set the dorms on fire.”

“Are you allowed to disclose who did it?” an interviewer asks.

Ms. Sinclair looks at Jamie, who is given a mic to speak.

“I’ve been given permission to admit that the fire incident at the dorms was a plotted event orchestrated by my older brother.”

Hearing it out loud is daunting, and I can’t help but frown because, deep down, I didn’t want to believe he was capable of doing that.

Of hurting our girl.

“I do not defend my brother’s actions in the slightest. I’m disappointed my brother worked together with a photographer and a few women he’s had sexual relations with to plot against Maddox and the others involved because they were getting no consequences for being in a relationship that was expanding into a polyamorous one,” he reveals. “As someone in my own relationship, our culture normally belittles us and the idea of love. As for love that’s outside the norm, it is prohibited. Though to many, I came to Canada to have an opportunity to expand my career to the world, deep down, I wished to explore being in a relationship that’s not hidden behind closed doors.”

“Jamie?” Iris’ eyes widen in shock. I don’t blame her for feeling so emotionally moved. Jamie’s words are not only romantic and prove the length he would go to protect this love he shares.

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