After breakfast, Cara, Maxine, Shepherd, Duke, and Lance travel together to Strong Heart H.Q. Minnie rides safely beside them, clutching her purple princess case as the red skyscraper rises ahead.
The senior communications director meets them in a secured family lounge, where floor cushions, coloring pages, and a small table wait away from the press corridors.
Maxine Powers
Children, we have a quiet mission. Purple stars, orange flames, blue dragons, and green racecars all need careful coloring until the grown-ups finish the announcement.
Maxine settles Minnie and the boys around the activity table, distributing crayons while keeping them within sight. Their soft debate over colors fills the lounge without disturbing the tense adults.
the senior communications director
The release is scheduled for nine, and every major outlet has the packet. One final approval remains before I can authorize distribution.
the senior communications director
A revised family-protection caption was requested overnight. It changes nothing about the merger, but both CEOs must approve the exact wording.
The director places the marked page on the table between Cara and Maxine. Nearby, Minnie proudly shows Duke a purple dragon, while the deadline clock advances toward nine.
“Has the revised caption weakened the children’s safeguards?”
NO (Unlikely, rolled 75)
The senior communications director points to the revised caption’s tracked language. Every safeguard remains intact: no names, images, locations, or identifying details about the children will accompany the announcement.
the senior communications director
The wording is stronger, not weaker. It explicitly bars family photographs, confirms the children are private, and directs all questions about them back to the companies.
Maxine Powers
Good. The public gets our partnership, while the children keep the quiet life we promised them.
Maxine reads the caption twice, then checks the final paragraph against the signed release. The language matches their agreement without changing the merger terms or the shared announcement.
the senior communications director
Once both approvals are recorded, distribution is automatic. The protection clause will appear in the press packet and the internal media brief.
Maxine Powers
Then it protects exactly what we asked it to protect. Cara and I can approve it without reopening the family boundaries.
At the activity table, Shepherd colors orange flames, Duke adds blue scales to his dragon, Lance arranges green racecars, and Minnie holds up her purple drawing for everyone to see.
“I approve the safeguarded announcement for distribution”
SUCCESS (Superb Conversation, rolled -1)
Cara-Mia Amore
I approve the safeguarded announcement for distribution.
Cara signs the approval beside Maxine’s authorization. The senior communications director records both confirmations, and the release moves immediately into distribution.
the senior communications director
Approved and released. The protection caption is attached to every press packet and internal media brief.
Maxine Powers
Good. Our partnership can stand in public without making the children part of the spectacle.
The first confirmation alerts appear across the director’s tablet. Outside the secured lounge, the company’s announcement begins reaching newsrooms while the children continue coloring.
Minnie
Look, I made all four pictures share the same purple star. Does that mean everyone belongs together?
Maxine Powers
That is exactly what it means, sweetheart. And everyone still gets their own safe, private space.
“I pick up Shepherd and Minnie, i ask Maxine to csrry Duke and Lance, and then we all go to make the announcement as a family”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled -2)
Cara-Mia Amore
Maxine, carry Duke and Lance. Let us make the announcement together as a family.
Cara lifts Shepherd and Minnie securely, while Maxine gathers Duke and Lance into her arms. The children clutch their crayons and drawings as the family leaves the lounge together.
Maxine Powers
Gladly. Everyone stays close, and nobody loses a picture on the way.
Cara’s shoulder gives a sharp, brief twinge beneath Shepherd’s weight, and her grip tightens. She keeps moving, accepting the strain without setting either child down.
Minnie
We are all going to the announcement! My purple star is coming too.
Shepherd Amore
We are a family team. I can see the big doors from up here.
The security doors open into the prepared announcement hall. Cara and Maxine arrive carrying all four children, their family gathered visibly behind the company’s shared statement.
“I present our family-safe announcement together”
SUCCESS (Superb Conversation, rolled +0)
The family steps onto the announcement platform together. Cameras turn toward Cara and Maxine, while the children’s colorful drawings remain visible in their hands.
the senior communications director
Strong Heart Incorporated and To The Max Inc. are pleased to announce their completed merger and shared leadership, with the Strong Heart name continuing forward.
The director continues with the approved family-safe statement, describing the partnership and its business terms while clearly keeping the children outside the story.
Maxine Powers
We are proud to stand here together. Our companies are joining forces, our responsibilities are shared, and our children remain private, protected, and entirely off-limits to publicity.
Minnie
My purple star is in the announcement too, but nobody needs to take my picture.
the senior communications director
Correct. The family-protection caption is attached to every release, and all media questions about the children will be redirected to the companies.
Applause rises through the hall as the announcement goes live. Cara and Maxine remain side by side with the children gathered safely between them, their family presented together without surrendering its privacy.
“I lead everyone safely off the platform”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -3)
Cara guides the family down from the platform, keeping Shepherd and Minnie close while Maxine carries Duke and Lance. Security opens a clear route through the applauding crowd.
Maxine Powers
This way, everyone. Keep your drawings safe, and stay with us until we reach the family lounge.
Cara reaches the floor safely and directs the children toward the secured corridor. Her shoulder twinges sharply again, forcing her to lower Minnie carefully and flex her arm.
Shepherd Amore
Mommy, your arm hurt. I can walk now and hold my fire picture.
Minnie
I can walk too. My purple star is safe, and we are still together.
With both younger children walking beside them, Cara and Maxine lead everyone into the lounge. The platform, cameras, and applause remain behind them, while the family regroups securely.
Maxine Powers
We made it through together. Let us give Cara’s shoulder a rest before anyone asks either CEO another question.