Chapter 18: You're Trending AgainThe news broke like a tidal wave. Ethan Cole's rumored fiancée, Sienna, leaving his office in a flurry, her expression hidden beneath oversized sunglasses, was enough to send the media into a frenzy. Speculation swirled, with every headline trying to untangle the knot of the billionaire’s love life.In the eye of the storm, Olivia sat in the makeup chair at the studio, trying to focus on the script in her hands. But the whispers and sideways glances from the crew made it nearly impossible. She wasn’t naïve, she knew she’d become the center of a scandal, one she never asked for.Her phone buzzed on the counter, pulling her attention from the mirror. Lily’s name flashed on the screen, and Olivia sighed, answering with a weary, "What now?""You’re trending again," Lily said without preamble."Lovely," Olivia muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let me guess, the ‘homewrecker’ narrative is still going strong?""Worse," Lily said, her voice tinged w
Chapter 19: The Thin Line Between Control and ChaosThe morning after their tense confrontation was heavy with unspoken words. Olivia woke up in the guest room of Ethan's penthouse, her head pounding from the emotional rollercoaster of the previous day. The sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but it did little to warm her mood. She stared blankly at the ceiling, the weight of Ethan's words replaying in her mind."Messy doesn’t scare me. Losing you does."Olivia groaned, tossing the comforter off herself. She couldn’t afford to dwell on his declaration, not when her career, and her sanity was on the line. She pulled on a robe and padded out to the kitchen, intending to grab a coffee and leave as quickly as possible.But of course, Ethan was already there.Dressed in a crisp navy suit, he stood by the marble island with a cup of coffee in hand, his gaze fixed on his phone. He didn’t look up as she entered, but Olivia felt his presence like a magnetic pull.She cleared
Chapter 20: I'm Not Going Anywhere, OliviaEthan Cole was a man who thrived on control. He had built his empire by mastering every detail, every move, every risk. Yet, Olivia Hart had turned his perfectly ordered life upside down. As he sat in his penthouse office overlooking the city, the chaos of their recent encounter still lingered in his mind.He had left her apartment the night before with more questions than answers. Why couldn’t he let her go? Why did she have such a hold over him? And most importantly, what was he willing to risk to keep her?Jake entered the room, breaking Ethan’s train of thought. "Sir, your 10 a.m. meeting is about to start.""Reschedule it," Ethan said curtly.Jake blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Ethan Cole never missed meetings. "Of course, sir. Is there anything else I should prioritize?"Ethan leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Find out who’s behind the recent leak about Olivia."Jake hesitated, glancing at his boss’
Chapter 21: Entanglement Might Be A LiabilityThe kiss Ethan left on Olivia’s lips lingered, heavy with emotions she wasn’t prepared to confront. As the door to her apartment closed behind him, silence enveloped her, but her thoughts were anything but quiet.Olivia sank onto the couch, her fingers brushing over her lips as if to erase the memory, or perhaps to hold onto it a little longer. What was she doing? Ethan Cole was the last man she could afford to entangle herself with, but he was also the only one who had ever made her feel this…alive.Her phone buzzed on the table, dragging her out of her thoughts. It was Lily.“Liv, you need to tell me what the hell is going on!” Lily’s voice practically exploded through the speaker.“What do you mean?” Olivia asked, feigning ignorance.“What do I mean? Ethan Cole just publicly declared war on anyone who even thinks about breathing wrong around you. You’re trending everywhere! The world is officially shipping ‘Ethan and Olivia.’”Olivia gr
Chapter 22: Reluctant SurrenderThe night after their heated dinner conversation, Olivia couldn’t shake Ethan’s words from her mind. “I’ll wait. As long as it takes, Olivia. Because you’re worth it.” They had echoed in her ears like a stubborn melody, one she wished she could stop humming along to. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, trying to rationalize her emotions and failing miserably.Ethan Cole was a dangerous man — not just because of his reputation, but because of the way he made her feel. Vulnerable. Desired. Terrified.***At Cole Enterprises, the air was heavy with unspoken tension the next morning. Jake cautiously approached Ethan’s desk, files in hand, but he immediately knew today wasn’t one of the better days to bother his boss. Ethan’s sharp eyes had a stormy intensity, his mind clearly elsewhere.“Sir, these need your approval,” Jake said hesitantly, placing the papers on the desk.Ethan waved him off with a flick of his hand, his jaw tight. He’d spent the entire
Chapter 23: The Breaking PointThe air between them was thick, charged with an unspoken tension that neither of them could ignore any longer. Ethan’s words lingered in the quiet of the penthouse: “I’ll wait. As long as it takes, Olivia. Because you’re worth it.”Olivia stood from her chair abruptly, needing to create distance, to think, to breathe. But as she moved toward the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city, Ethan followed her. His footsteps were silent but sure, and she could feel his presence before he even reached her.“You don’t have to do this, Ethan,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “You don’t have to chase me just because I’m the one thing you think you can’t have.”“That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, his voice low and rough. “I’m not chasing you because I can’t have you. I’m chasing you because I already know I want you.”His words sent a shiver down her spine, and when his hand brushed against her arm, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she turned to face him
Chapter 24: Scandal UnleashedThe world felt like it was spinning too fast, and Olivia was caught in the eye of the storm. She sat frozen in her dressing room, Pearl’s smug grin and Lily’s concerned expression blurring together as her mind processed the headline.“Ethan Cole’s Mystery Woman: Who Is She?”The words seemed to glow like fire, burning into her consciousness.“How did they even get this picture?” Olivia muttered, grabbing Pearl’s phone for a closer look. The blurry photo showed her exiting Ethan’s penthouse earlier that morning, wrapped in the oversized coat he had given her.“Oh, honey,” Pearl said, crossing her arms and leaning against the vanity. “When it comes to Ethan Cole, there are eyes everywhere. You should know better.”Olivia glared at her. “Thanks for the advice,” she snapped, tossing the phone back.Lily stepped in, her tone firm but caring. “Pearl, maybe now’s not the time to gloat. Olivia’s clearly got enough on her plate.”Pearl shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m
Chapter 26: Entangled FatesOlivia leaned against the trailer door, her breath shaky as she tried to collect herself. The weight of the day pressed down on her like a suffocating blanket. Lily’s concerned expression greeted her as she stepped out.“Are you okay?” Lily asked softly, her voice steady despite the buzz of gossip around them.Olivia forced a smile. “I’m fine. Let’s get back to work.”But as she walked toward the set, her mind remained anything but fine. Ethan’s unexpected appearance had thrown her, not to mention his audacious claim that he cared. That wasn’t part of the deal, they were supposed to be strangers now. Yet, his intense gaze and unyielding presence lingered in her mind like an unshakable echo.***Inside the trailer, Ethan stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenched at his sides. Olivia’s stubbornness was both infuriating and admirable. She refused to let him in, yet he couldn’t seem to stay away.This wasn’t how he operated. Control was second nature to him,
Chapter 35: A Night to Remember The weight of the day hung heavy, but for the first time in weeks, the storm outside seemed to pause. The moonlight spilled into Ethan’s penthouse, casting a soft glow over the sleek furnishings. It was quiet, almost too quiet, as Olivia sat by the large floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the city lights below. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. The forged documents, Daniel’s threats, Ethan’s unyielding protection, it was all too much to unpack. She barely heard Ethan approaching until his shadow fell over her. “You’re lost in your thoughts again,” he said, his deep voice breaking through the silence. She turned, startled to see him holding two glasses of wine. He was dressed casually, a stark contrast to his usual sharp suits. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and for once, he looked almost…approachable. “Trying to make sense of everything,” Olivia admitted as he handed her a glass and sat beside her. “You don’t have to,” Ethan said
Chapter 34: Shadows of BetrayalMorning sunlight filtered through the penthouse windows, but the warmth did nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. Ethan stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, issuing commands with the precision of a battlefield general. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored navy suit, but his restless pacing betrayed the storm brewing inside him. Olivia sat on the couch, her gaze fixed on him as she sipped her coffee. He hadn’t said much since the cryptic message from Daniel’s lawyer the night before, but she could feel the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him. When he ended the call, she set her mug down. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to guess?” Ethan turned, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t need to worry about it.” Her brow furrowed, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get to decide that. If it involves me, I deserve to know.” He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his
Chapter 33: Storms on the HorizonThe fallout from the gala was swift and unforgiving. News outlets ran back-to-back exposés on Daniel Winters’ business practices, while social media roasted him mercilessly. It was a public execution, orchestrated with the precision only Ethan Cole could manage.But in the midst of the chaos, Ethan wasn’t celebrating. He was preparing for the next move. Olivia noticed it in the way he carried himself—restless, relentless, and impossibly focused.“I know that look,” Olivia said one morning as she sipped her coffee, watching him pace across the living room.“What look?” Ethan asked, distracted, his phone in one hand and a file in the other.“The ‘I’m planning to conquer the world before lunch’ look.” She set her mug down and crossed her arms. “You’ve already taken down Daniel. What’s next, Ethan?”He paused, glancing at her. “Securing what’s mine.”Olivia arched a brow. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”Ethan walked toward her, his intensity
Chapter 32: The Gloves Come OffEthan wasn’t a man to waste time. As soon as he gathered the intel from Angela, he set his next plan in motion. Daniel Winters had crossed the line, and Ethan was determined to ensure he’d regret it.In the days that followed, Ethan’s strategy began to unfold like a finely orchestrated game of chess. Every move was calculated, every decision razor-sharp. Key clients Daniel relied on started pulling out, one after another, their reasons cloaked in polite vagueness but clearly orchestrated by Ethan.At the penthouse, Olivia kept her eyes glued to the news, which buzzed with whispers about Daniel Winters’ collapsing empire. Each headline felt like a small victory, though Olivia knew the fight was far from over.“What’s next on your agenda, mastermind?” Olivia asked one evening, leaning against the doorway of Ethan’s study.Ethan looked up from his laptop, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Taking him out of the picture entirely.”Olivia crossed her arm
Chapter 31: Winds of RetaliationThe tension between Ethan and Olivia lingered in the air like a storm waiting to break. Though the city below was alive with lights and movement, the penthouse was unnervingly quiet. Olivia stood by the balcony, the glass of wine in her hand untouched as her thoughts spiraled.Ethan’s words echoed in her mind: “Because I care about you.”She had heard declarations before, empty promises and flowery words from men who ultimately left her to pick up the pieces. But with Ethan, it felt different. His protectiveness, his determination to shield her from Daniel’s schemes, was unlike anything she had experienced. It scared her as much as it reassured her.Inside, Ethan sat in his study, surrounded by monitors and documents. His methods were cold and precise, like a surgeon preparing for a critical operation. Daniel Winters wasn’t just an enemy; he was an obstacle Ethan intended to obliterate."Jake," Ethan said into his headset. "I want every company associa
Chapter 30: Shadows of the PastEthan paced the length of his study, the sleek, modern room dimly lit except for the glow of his laptop screen. The name Daniel Winters repeated in his head like a mantra, each syllable sharpening his resolve. Whoever this man was, he had made a grave mistake."Jake," Ethan barked into his phone. "I need everything on a Daniel Winters. Every record, every connection, every debt. I don’t care how you get it just make it fast.""On it, sir," Jake replied without hesitation.Ethan hung up, his jaw tightening. No one messed with what was his, no one, and got away unscathed.Meanwhile, Olivia sat curled up in a corner of Ethan’s couch, her mind restless. The quiet of the penthouse amplified her thoughts, memories she had buried for years clawing their way back to the surface.Daniel Winters. She had once trusted him, relied on him, and he had betrayed her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. But now, he was stirring the pot again, threatening the fragile sen
Chapter 29: A Fortress of SecretsThe ride to Ethan's penthouse was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional hum of the car engine. Olivia stared out of the window, watching the city lights blur past. Ethan's presence next to her was suffocating yet strangely reassuring."Are you going to tell me how this is supposed to help?" Olivia asked, finally breaking the silence.Ethan glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "You’ll be safer with me. Until I find out who’s behind the leaks and shut them down, I can’t risk leaving you on your own.""Safer from what? Gossip?" she shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm.Ethan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, his icy gaze fixed on her. "You don’t understand how far these things can go, Olivia. It’s not just about gossip anymore. They’ll dig up your past, twist it, and use it to destroy you. And I won’t let that happen."His words sent a shiver down her spine. As much as she hated to admit it, he wasn’t
Chapter 28: Unmasking ShadowsThe morning sunlight streamed through Olivia’s window, but the warmth did little to soothe the cold pit in her stomach. News outlets were relentless. Every detail of her life was now a spectacle, and she felt like a caged animal in a zoo.Her phone rang, the caller ID flashing Claire’s name again.“Claire,” Olivia answered, her voice tense.“We’ve got a problem,” Claire said without preamble. “The tabloids are running with a new angle. They’re claiming your relationship with Ethan is a publicity stunt.”Olivia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Of course they are. What else is new?”“It’s not just that,” Claire continued. “They’re dragging up old rumors about your family, your time before acting. Someone’s feeding them information, Liv.”Olivia froze. Her past was something she had buried long ago, a part of her life she never wanted to see the light of day. If the media got hold of certain details, it could ruin her career—and her sanity.“Who’s b
Chapter 27: Caught in the CrossfireThe aftermath of Ethan’s statement was a whirlwind Olivia hadn’t anticipated. By mid-morning, social media was abuzz with contrasting opinions. Supporters praised Ethan’s gallant defense, while skeptics questioned his motives. Olivia was caught in the middle, her life dissected by millions of strangers who didn’t know the first thing about her.At the studio, the atmosphere was tense. People whispered in clusters, and every glance in Olivia’s direction felt like a dagger. She had managed to make it to set, but the weight of everyone’s judgment clung to her like a second skin.“Liv, are you sure you’re okay to work today?” Lily asked as she handed her a cup of tea during a brief break.“I can’t hide forever,” Olivia replied, her voice low. “If I stop, they’ll win. They’ll think I have something to be ashamed of.”“But Ethan’s statement…”“Made things worse,” Olivia finished bitterly. “Now, everyone thinks there’s more to this than there really is.”L