I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 144: Coming Home

"Kate? Are you there? Can you hear us?" The studio anchor’s voice comes through again, while the screen still shows Kate standing inside the Hearing Room.

Kate looks prepared, smiling as she faces the camera, microphone in hand.

Her expression shifts slightly as recognition flashes in her eyes.

"Yes, Adam. Yes, I can hear you."

"Kate, can you tell us and the audience what’s going on over there? Why is there suddenly a hearing taking place?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Yes, Adam. This development came as a surprise to us as well. Today, Arthur Montrose of Montrose Corporation is scheduled to meet with the Arvion Dungeon Emergency Unit to answer questions regarding the Mt. Helene dungeon incident that occurred about a week ago."

"Yes, Kate. He was supposed to be here this morning for a routine Q and A."

"That’s right," Kate replies, nodding. "He arrived this morning at nine a.m. I was present, but as is usually the case, none of the media were allowed inside the Q and A session. We were all waiting outside for updates, Adam."

"Yes," Adam responds. The screen shifts into a split view, showing both Kate and Adam in their respective locations.

"Arthur Montrose became a person of interest after an article written by Jessica Kwan was published by Arvion Daily, one of the country’s most respected newspapers, about a week ago."

Adam continues, "The article strongly implied that Arthur Montrose deliberately ignored the missing people and insisted on clearing the dungeon solely for the sake of securing mining rights."

"That is correct, Adam," Kate says. "And since the article was published, Arthur Montrose has neither denied nor confirmed those claims. All attempts by the media to contact him for further clarification have been declined by his office. He has also not released any official statement regarding this matter."

"As we all know," Kate adds, "many people have taken his silence as confirmation of what the article suggested."

"Kate, something is happening behind you," Adam says.

Kate turns around and removes one of her earpieces, listening to the announcement coming from the room.

"Adam, it looks like they’re ready to begin the hearing," Kate reports. "Let’s follow it together. Our second broadcast team is ready for the live feed. We’ll be watching this together."

Kate steps away from the camera, moving to find a better vantage point.

The space designated for the media turns out to be well positioned. From there, they can see the entire Hearing Room without any obstruction.

Whoever prepared this hearing has been surprisingly considerate toward the media.

Theo looks away from the television and calls Sam.

"Sam? Are you with Arthur?" Theo asks the moment the call connects.

"Yes. I’m at the hearing as well," Sam replies. "You should be able to see us in a few minutes. We haven’t entered the room yet."

"Yes, I’m watching it live on TV. What’s going on?" Theo asks. "Can you at least tell me what to expect?"

"Master Arthur is bringing Harrison Stille down today," Sam says calmly. "This public hearing is happening because Master Arthur demanded it. He directly accused the DEU under Chief Stille of corruption and refused to deal with them behind closed doors."

Theo can hear the smile in Sam’s voice.

"What he asked for is within his rights as a citizen of Arvion. And since the city does have this law in place, they had no choice but to grant it."

"Wow," Theo says softly. "My brother is definitely brave. This is a very bold move."

"Yes, he is. And yes, it is," Sam chuckles.

"Is there anything we can do from the outside?" Theo asks.

"Nothing that I can think of, Ms. Montrose," Sam replies. "Master Arthur already has everything he needs. And I mean everything."

This time, there’s no mistaking the confidence in Sam’s tone.

"I have to hang up now. We’re entering the room," Sam adds. "I won’t be able to take calls, but I should still be able to send texts."

The call ends.

Theo turns his attention back to the television while quietly updating Leila.

She shakes her head. "Your brother is really crazy. Crazy. How can he do this without telling us?"

"First, probably so we wouldn’t worry," Theo replies softly. "And second, no media is chasing us anymore. Since we genuinely don’t know anything, they can’t accuse us of hiding information."

Around them, most of the people in the restaurant are now focused on the television.

Some are commenting that this is the first public hearing held under this specific law since it was passed a few years ago.

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The hearing goes on for almost five hours.

By the end of it, the entire restaurant is in an uproar. The patrons forget that they are in a public place and begin discussing loudly among themselves. Many of them condemn Harrison Stille, agreeing that he must be arrested, put on public trial, and sent to prison for life.

Theo and Leila leave the shopping arcade midway through the hearing, right after Arthur presents evidence after evidence to the Hearing Committee.

When the hearing finally ends, both of them are already home. They watch the conclusion together with Julian and Maurice.

It is almost ten p.m., and Arthur is still not home.

The rest of the Montroses wait for him while continuing to discuss what they witnessed during the hearing.

"That was intense," Leila says. She has been tense throughout the entire hearing, afraid that something bad might happen to Arthur.

He was alone, standing in front of the public, with no one backing him up.

"Mom, you can relax now," Julian says gently. "Like I’ve told you many times, Arthur wouldn’t do this unless he had ironclad evidence. And I believe he’s been collecting that evidence for a long time. The article was just the catalyst."

"Yes, my brain knows that," Leila replies with a sigh. "But my heart is still a mother’s heart. A heart that always worries about her children. I have no control over that."

Despite her words, she is visibly relieved, as if a heavy weight has been lifted from her chest.

Maurice slowly strokes her back, helping her calm down.

Theo’s senses suddenly sharpen.

"Arthur’s home."

They are all sitting in the family room, their eyes fixed on the main door, waiting for it to open.

The door finally does.

Arthur steps inside and immediately sees his family gathered there. He pauses for a brief moment, then smiles.

"I’m home."