NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: Press Conference!
"First..."
As soon as I opened my mouth, the reporters swarmed in closer, cameras flashing like crazy. The lights kept flickering in my eyes, making my head spin. Seriously, what's with these people? How can I even speak when they're blinding me with these flashes?
Pushing my way out of the reporter circle, I managed to get to the steps. "Everyone, quiet down!" I shouted, waving my arms for emphasis. "Look, I'm not hiding anything about the whole Iron Man comic prophecy incident. This afternoon, I'll hold a press conference and give you all the answers you're looking for. You've got questions? We'll cover it then."
That got their attention. The buzzing crowd slowly quieted. They all exchanged quick glances, no doubt thinking they'd just hit the jackpot on a big scoop. They probably hadn't expected me to cooperate so easily, especially given how most people were convinced I was somehow involved in Tony Stark's kidnapping. Usually, folks would be scrambling to distance themselves from a scandal like this, but here I was, offering a full-blown press conference.
Some of the tension lifted from the air. The reporters, now feeling like they were sitting on a goldmine of "big news," scattered to prep for the afternoon session. With the media frenzy subsiding, I made my way into the building, rubbing my temples.
Inside, things weren't much better. The office was a mess of nervous energy. Everyone looked panicked, like the whole place was about to come crashing down. But I didn't let it get to me. I had bigger things to worry about right now. Ignoring the chaos, I headed straight to my office.
Sitting on the couch was John, looking completely defeated, his face buried in his hands. Next to him was Sarah, his daughter, her eyes red from what must've been hours of talking. The moment the door creaked open, both of them glanced my way.
Dragging my coat off my shoulders, I tossed it onto the rack by the door. I couldn't help but notice how they looked like they'd been cornered. For a second, I felt like I was the villain in some old fable. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I blurted, "So, why's the office feel like a funeral today?"
John lifted his head, his voice hoarse and incredulous. "You actually showed up to work?"
I raised an eyebrow and sat down beside him, feigning innocence. "Why wouldn't I?"
John gave me a look, a half-smile curling on his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Run away? Where would you even go?"
He wasn't wrong. The whole Iron Man comic prediction and the Tony Stark kidnapping situation had exploded across the country. As one of the people closest to me, John had been caught in the storm. If the comic's prediction was somehow seen as a crime, that alone could land me in prison for years. And if people thought I had something to do with Tony Stark's kidnapping? Let's just say, prison would be the least of my worries.
But John was clearly overwhelmed, his mind spinning with all sorts of worst-case scenarios. He couldn't figure out how I'd gone from being a rising star in the comic world to a potential suspect in a massive crime overnight.
I leaned back, letting out a small chuckle. "Look, John, this whole thing is wild, I know. But I didn't kidnap anyone, least of all Tony Stark."
He stared at me, his expression torn between disbelief and confusion. He wanted to believe me, but how could he? After all, the comic's storyline seemed to match the real events a little too closely.
"Why'd the comic end up predicting all this?" he asked quietly.
I shrugged. "It's just a strange coincidence."
But deep down, I knew there was more to it than that.
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