Chapter 58: The Calm Before the StormThe next morning, Olivia woke up to the sound of hushed voices and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She stretched, her hand brushing across the empty side of the bed. Ethan was already up, undoubtedly strategizing about Nathan’s next move.Wrapping a robe around herself, she padded into the living room. Ethan stood near the kitchen island, his phone pressed to his ear and his tone sharp. Jake was seated nearby, typing furiously on his laptop.“Understood,” Ethan said curtly before hanging up. His eyes softened slightly when he saw Olivia approach.“Good morning,” she said, offering him a small smile. “Busy already?”“Always,” Ethan replied, stepping closer to kiss her forehead. “Did I wake you?”“No, but it’s hard to sleep knowing Nathan’s out there plotting.” She glanced at Jake, who gave her a polite nod before returning to his work.“We’re handling it,” Ethan assured her, his voice low and steady. “Sophia may think she has leverage, but she
Chapter 59: The MeetingThe next morning, the tension was palpable. Ethan’s usually calm demeanor was overshadowed by a rare sharpness that put everyone on edge. Even Jake, who had worked with him for years, chose his words carefully, sensing the storm brewing beneath his boss’s composed exterior.Olivia watched Ethan from the breakfast table, her chin resting on her hand. He looked every bit the formidable businessman: sharp suit, crisp tie, and an air of quiet dominance.“Do you really have to meet her alone?” she asked, breaking the silence.Ethan glanced at her, his gaze softening slightly. “Yes. Sophia thrives on attention. She’s less likely to pull something dramatic if it’s just the two of us.”Olivia frowned. “And what if she tries to provoke you? Or worse, ambush you with some stunt?”Ethan smirked. “She can try. But I’m not so easily provoked.”“That’s debatable,” Olivia muttered, earning a raised eyebrow from Ethan.He walked over to her, placing a hand under her chin to ti
Chapter 60: A Game of HeartsThe following days were a whirlwind of emotions and schemes. Ethan grew more protective of Olivia, sensing the storm Sophia had promised to unleash. Olivia, however, wasn’t one to cower. She refused to let anyone use her as a pawn in their twisted game, even if it meant defying Ethan himself.“You’re doing it again,” Olivia said one morning, standing in the doorway of his office.Ethan barely glanced up from his laptop. “Doing what?”“Hovering,” she replied, crossing her arms. “I know you think you’re protecting me, but you’re suffocating me, Ethan.”He sighed, closing his laptop and leaning back in his chair. “It’s not hovering, Olivia. It’s being cautious.”“Cautious is when you check the locks twice before bed. You’ve turned into a full-blown bodyguard,” she said, raising an eyebrow.Ethan’s lips twitched, almost smiling at her sass. “You’re exaggerating.”“Am I?” she shot back. “What’s next? A tracking device in my shoes?”“That’s actually not a bad id
Chapter 61: Storms BrewingOlivia woke to the sound of her phone buzzing insistently on the nightstand. Groaning, she turned over, squinting at the screen. It was Lily, and the stream of texts that followed her call left Olivia wide awake.Lily: OMG, check your socials NOW!Lily: You’re literally everywhere.Lily: You and Ethan are trending again, but this time, it’s huge.“What now?” Olivia muttered, reluctantly opening her favorite gossip app.Sure enough, her name was plastered across the headlines alongside Ethan’s, with blurry photos of the two of them from the café and a headline that made her jaw drop.“From Scandal to Sizzle: Olivia Hart and Ethan Cole’s Love Story Takes Center Stage!”“Ugh,” she groaned, tossing the phone aside and burying her face in her pillow. “Why can’t these people mind their own business?”Ethan’s voice cut through her grumbles, his tone teasing. “Morning, sunshine. Trouble in paradise already?”Olivia peeked out from under her pillow to see Ethan stand
Chapter 62: Uninvited GuestsThe next morning, Olivia was jolted awake by a loud banging on the apartment door. Groggy and disoriented, she glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was barely 6 a.m.“Ethan?” she called out, but the other side of the bed was empty.The banging continued, followed by a familiar voice that made her stomach drop.“Olivia Hart! Open this door right now!”It was Sophia.Olivia’s heart raced as she scrambled out of bed, pulling on a robe. What was Sophia doing here, and how did she even know where they were?She tiptoed to the door and peeked through the peephole. Sure enough, there was Sophia, looking as poised and furious as ever, flanked by two reporters holding cameras.“Olivia, don’t make me call security to break this door down!” Sophia threatened, her voice loud enough to echo down the hallway.Before Olivia could decide what to do, Ethan appeared from the hallway, shirtless and holding a coffee mug. He looked completely unfazed, as if a crazed ex-f
Chapter 63: The Calm Before the StormThe tension in the apartment lingered long after Sophia’s dramatic exit. Ethan, as always, remained unbothered, but Olivia couldn’t shake the unease swirling in her chest. She busied herself cleaning up breakfast dishes, hoping the rhythmic clinking of plates would drown out her thoughts.Ethan watched her from the kitchen counter, his sharp gaze softening as she moved around in a flurry of nervous energy.“You’re quiet,” he said, breaking the silence.Olivia looked up, startled, and forced a smile. “Just... processing.”Ethan pushed away from the counter and approached her, his movements deliberate and steady. He slid his hands onto her shoulders, stopping her mid-reach for another plate.“Hey,” he said softly. “She can’t hurt us.”Olivia sighed, leaning into his touch. “It’s not just Sophia, Ethan. It’s everything. The media, the constant scrutiny, the drama. Sometimes it feels like we’re walking on a tightrope, and one wrong move could send us
Chapter 64: Waves of PassionThe sun dipped below the horizon, casting shades of pink and gold across the sky. The secluded beach grew quieter, with only the rhythmic crash of waves filling the air. Olivia stood at the water’s edge, her toes buried in the cool, damp sand, as the breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean.Behind her, Ethan approached, his footsteps soft but deliberate. She turned to face him, her breath catching as she met his smoldering gaze. The tension between them crackled like a live wire, amplified by the intimacy of their surroundings.“You look breathtaking,” Ethan murmured, his voice low and husky as he reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.Olivia laughed softly, the sound blending with the waves. “I’m in a sundress and no makeup.”“And you’ve never looked more perfect,” he said, stepping closer until the heat of his body pressed against hers.Her laughter faded, replaced by an intensity that made her knees weak. Ethan’s hands slid to he
Chapter 65: Ripple EffectsThe sun rose on the horizon, its golden rays spilling over the calm waters and bathing the beach in a warm glow. Olivia stirred, the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore pulling her from a dreamless sleep. She blinked, her vision filled with the sight of Ethan’s face inches from hers, his features softened by the morning light.Ethan was already awake, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, his voice rich and deep, like the first sip of coffee on a crisp morning.Olivia stretched lazily, the soft sand shifting beneath her. “Morning. Have you been watching me sleep?”“Guilty,” Ethan admitted, his lips curving into a mischievous smile. “You look peaceful when you’re not plotting ways to resist me.”She laughed, playfully shoving his shoulder. “Don’t flatter yourself, Cole.”“Oh, I don’t need to,” he teased, rolling onto his side to prop his head up on one hand. “You do that fo
Chapter 75: The Unraveling BeginsThe morning sun filtered through the curtains of the penthouse, casting a golden glow across the room. Olivia stirred awake, finding Ethan already up, pacing the living room with his phone pressed to his ear. His face was a mask of frustration as he barked orders to someone on the other end.She stretched, slipping out of bed and wrapping herself in a silk robe. As she padded toward him, Ethan ended the call and ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath.“Bad morning already?” Olivia asked, her voice laced with concern.Ethan turned to her, his expression softening. “Chloe’s making her move. She leaked part of the company’s confidential files to the media. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to create noise.”Olivia frowned, crossing her arms. “Can’t we sue her for that?”“We will,” Ethan assured her. “But it’s a game of chess now. She’s trying to bait me, and I’m not biting. Jake’s already working on tracking the source of her leaks.”Oliv
Chapter 74: The Calm Before the StormEthan awoke to the soft hum of the city outside the penthouse windows. The faint smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen signaled that Olivia was already up. He smiled, stretching lazily. Despite the chaos surrounding Chloe’s dismissal and the media frenzy, the morning felt unusually peaceful.He threw on a shirt and made his way to the kitchen, finding Olivia perched on a stool, scrolling through her tablet. She looked up when she heard him, her face lighting up with a smile.“Good morning, Mr. Cole,” she teased, sliding a cup of coffee toward him.Ethan leaned down, brushing a kiss against her temple. “Morning, Miss Hart. What’s the agenda for today?”“Damage control, as always,” Olivia said with a sigh, holding up her tablet. “The tabloids are relentless. Look at this headline—‘Scorned Ex-Employee or Secret Mistress?’ Can you believe the nerve of these people?”Ethan’s jaw tightened as he scanned the screen. “They’ll print anything for clicks. L
Chapter 73: Turning the TablesThe morning sun gleamed through the glass windows of Cole Enterprises as Ethan arrived at his office. Today wasn’t just about damage control; it was about making a statement. Chloe’s betrayal had been a blow, but Ethan Cole wasn’t the type to let an attack go unanswered.“Jake,” Ethan barked as he entered his office. “I want her escorted out of the building within the hour. Make it quiet but final. No severance, no niceties.”“Yes, sir,” Jake replied, already pulling out his phone to coordinate security.Ethan poured himself a cup of coffee, his thoughts razor-sharp. Olivia’s support the previous night had grounded him, but his resolve to deal with this swiftly and decisively was unshakable.In the penthouse, Olivia scrolled through her phone, catching up on the news and the social media chaos that had erupted. Photos of her and Ethan from various outings had resurfaced, fueling endless speculation.“Power couple or power trouble?” one headline read.Oli
Chapter 72: Unmasking the EnemyThe early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Olivia stirred awake to find Ethan already dressed, his tie knotted impeccably, and his expression set in grim determination.“Ethan,” she murmured, propping herself up on one elbow. “You’re leaving early?”He turned to her, his features softening momentarily. “I have a meeting with my security team. We’re narrowing down the suspects behind the leak.”Olivia frowned, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket. “Do you really think it’s someone close to us?”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Unfortunately, yes. It’s someone with access to both my personal and professional life. That narrows it down.”“I want to help,” she said firmly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.He walked over, kneeling before her and taking her hands in his. “Your safety is my priority, Liv. Whoever is behind this has already dragged you into the mess. I can’t risk them doing more.”She c
Chapter 71: Storms of the PastThe quiet morning was shattered by the shrill ring of Ethan’s phone. He groaned, his hand blindly searching the nightstand. Olivia stirred beside him, her hair cascading across the pillow as she mumbled sleepily.“Whoever that is, tell them to stop ruining our mornings,” she muttered, pulling the blanket over her head.Ethan smirked, answering the call with a gruff, “This better be important.”On the other end, Jake’s voice came through, tense and hurried. “Boss, we have a problem. Someone leaked documents about the Wintercrest deal. It’s all over the news.”Ethan sat up, his demeanor instantly shifting to cold and focused. “How bad is it?”“Bad enough,” Jake replied. “The board is in chaos, and the media is running wild with speculations.”Olivia peeked out from under the blanket, sensing the change in his mood. “What’s wrong?”Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Corporate drama. I need to head to the office.”She frowned. “Do you want me to
Chapter 70: Breaking News and Silent ConfessionsThe sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Ethan’s office, casting long shadows on the sleek floor. Olivia sat perched on the edge of his desk, scrolling through her phone, her lips pressed into a thin line.“Are you sure about this?” Ethan asked, leaning against the desk beside her. His usual confidence was slightly marred by a hint of concern.She turned to look at him, her eyes clear and resolute. “Yes. I need to be the one to speak up. This is my life, Ethan. I’m not going to let strangers dictate my story.”Ethan studied her for a moment, his expression softening. “Alright,” he said, nodding. “But I’m coming with you. Whatever happens, we’re in this together.”The press conference was scheduled for later that afternoon, and by the time Olivia arrived at the venue, reporters were already swarming outside. The sound of camera shutters clicking filled the air, and the buzz of whispered speculation grew louder as she stepped out
Chapter 69: The Storm Beneath the SurfaceThe next morning, Olivia woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly. Groaning, she reached for it, expecting another string of reminders from Lily. Instead, her screen lit up with Ethan’s name.“Good morning,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.“Turn on the news,” Ethan said, his tone unusually curt.“What? Why?” Olivia sat up, her heart pounding.“Just do it. Channel seven.”Confused, Olivia grabbed the remote and switched on the television. Her stomach sank as the headline splashed across the screen: Socialite Olivia Hart and Business Tycoon Ethan Cole Caught in Scandalous Web.Her breath caught as the footage rolled, showing grainy photos of her entering Ethan’s penthouse, followed by speculative commentary from a panel of smug anchors.“What the hell?” Olivia whispered, her hands trembling.“I warned you this might happen,” Ethan said through the phone.“But this… this is ridiculous!” she snapped, her anger building. “They
Chapter 68: Whispers of BetrayalOlivia’s unease from the night before lingered as she returned to her routine. Ethan’s mysterious note weighed on her mind, but she decided not to press him further. Instead, she threw herself into her work, meeting with Lily and the agency's PR team to strategize for an upcoming event.“I think we should play into the positive buzz,” Lily suggested as she clicked through a slideshow. “The press loves you and Ethan as a power couple. If we lean into it, we can turn this into a long-term advantage.”Olivia frowned, her lips pursing. “I don’t know, Lily. What happens when the media loses interest? Ethan and I don’t need a PR stunt defining our relationship.”Lily shrugged. “True, but it wouldn’t hurt to use the momentum. Besides, the more they see you two together, the harder it’ll be for anyone to drag you down.”Before Olivia could respond, her phone buzzed on the table. The screen flashed with Ethan’s name.“Speak of the devil,” she muttered, picking
Chapter 67: Unveiling the TruthThe following day, Olivia woke to the sound of Ethan’s low voice drifting from the adjoining room. He was on a call, and his words, though muted, carried an unmistakable authority. She stretched lazily, basking in the morning light that filtered through the curtains, before curiosity got the better of her.Wrapping a robe around herself, she padded softly to the door.“...make sure the article never sees the light of day,” Ethan was saying, his tone cold and clipped.Olivia leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms. “Damage control?”Ethan turned, his expression softening when he saw her. “Good morning, love.”“Good morning,” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “Who were you threatening now?”Ethan smirked, hanging up the call. “Just ensuring that certain tabloids know their place.”Olivia rolled her eyes, stepping into the room. “You can’t solve everything by intimidation, Ethan.”“Can’t I?” he teased, pulling her into his arms.She placed her hands o