Chapter 78 Summary
As Bravo accompanies Abe Abbott on a tour of St. Louis’s most affluent neighborhoods, a casual conversation confirms a revelation that rattles him deeply: Roger Cortez is indeed the brother Remington had named before his death. Abe recounts a widely circulated story of how Hernandez Cortez raised his younger brother after their parents were killed, reinforcing the truth of Bravo’s connection to the Cortez family. Though Bravo maintains his composure, the confirmation stirs a mix of suppressed emotion and unease, underscoring how dangerously close his assumed identity now sits to real familial ties he barely understands.
Meanwhile, Javon prepares to take the most consequential step yet in the operation involving Anthony Russell. As he reviews the official FBI media release announcing Tony’s arrest for the abduction and possible murder of Walter Jenkins, Javon hesitates. He recognizes that once the statement is made public, Tony’s reputation and everything he has built will be damaged. Despite his misgivings and the moral weight of the decision, Javon approves the release, fully committing to the plan. Almost immediately, the news ignites a media firestorm, with reporters demanding details the FBI refuses to provide. With the story now unleashed, Javon can only wait to see who reacts, and how.
At GenaSeed headquarters, the news lands like a gift. Sandra Brown informs Daniel Bruner of Russell’s arrest, and the revelation quickly brings Jeffrey Kruger and Roger Cortez together in Daniel’s office. While Kruger reacts with disbelief, Cortez barely conceals his satisfaction. The executives waste no time pivoting the situation to their advantage, agreeing to keep promotional campaigns running and capitalize on the momentum. Sandra proposes an aggressive strategy to dismantle EnvironLife’s public image by repurposing footage and deploying manipulative messaging, a plan Daniel eagerly endorses. As the meeting ends, it’s clear that Russell’s arrest is not the end of the conflict, but the opening. GenaSeed needs to strike harder, determined to crush a rival while he’s already down.
