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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 134: Growing TogetherThe weeks that followed were filled with even more anticipation as Olivia’s pregnancy progressed. Every day seemed like a new milestone, her belly grew, her cravings shifted, and the occasional morning sickness became a reminder of the little life blossoming inside of her. Ethan continued to be her rock, always there, always supportive, though his protective nature had become even more pronounced.One evening, as they sat together in the living room, Olivia leaned back against the couch, her eyes closed as she let out a content sigh. Ethan was next to her, gently rubbing her feet as she rested. His touch was soothing, and the warmth of his hand calmed her.“I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this without you,” she said, looking up at him with a smile. “You’ve been amazing.”Ethan paused his gentle movements and looked down at her with a soft smile of his own. “I’m just doing what any husband should do. You’re carrying our child, Olivia. The least
Chapter 133: A New BeginningThe days after the wedding were a blur of love and happiness. Olivia and Ethan couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. Their honeymoon had been everything they dreamed of, filled with quiet moments in a luxurious villa overlooking the ocean, candlelit dinners, and passionate nights that made them both feel as though they were the only two people in the world.But amidst the romantic haze, something even more exciting was beginning to unfold.Olivia woke up one morning to a soft kiss on her forehead. The sun was barely peeking through the curtains, casting a warm glow across their bedroom. She smiled sleepily and turned to face Ethan, his face so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his breath."Good morning, Mrs. Cole," he whispered with a smile that made her heart flutter. He was already dressed for the day, but the tenderness in his eyes made her forget about everything else."Good morning, Mr. Cole," Olivia replied, her voice full of sleep
Chapter 132: A New Chapter BeginsThe wedding preparations were a whirlwind, but Olivia reveled in every moment. The joy of knowing she would soon marry the man who had completely captured her heart was enough to make the chaos worth it. From picking out the dress to choosing the venue, everything felt surreal and yet perfectly right. Every detail fell into place, and soon, there was only one thing left to do: say the vows that would seal their future together.Ethan was surprisingly calm throughout it all. The normally stoic man had softened since their engagement, his protective nature now tempered with an undeniable warmth whenever Olivia was near. He had given her his all—his heart, his devotion, his loyalty—and she had never once doubted him. She knew this was the beginning of their forever.The day of the wedding arrived with a sense of serenity that Olivia had never felt before. It was as though the universe had conspired to give them the perfect day. The sun was shining, the s
Chapter 131: A Promise for the FutureIt was a quiet evening when Ethan finally took the step he had been avoiding for so long. He had kept his distance, convinced that the world he had dragged Olivia into was too dangerous, too dark for her. But standing in front of her now, with the soft glow of the candles illuminating her face and her steady gaze fixed on him, Ethan realized that she was more than capable of handling whatever came their way.He could see the love in her eyes, the way she believed in him, even when he couldn’t believe in himself. She had never once flinched, never once hesitated, even as his world crumbled around them.Olivia had become his anchor, the one person who kept him grounded when the weight of his past threatened to pull him under."Ethan," she said, her voice soft but firm, breaking the silence between them. "What’s on your mind?"He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. It was time. Time to make a decision that would change everything. His fu
Chapter 130: Unraveling SecretsThe morning after the storm was almost eerily calm, as if the earth itself was recovering from the turmoil of the night. The sun broke through the clouds, casting its light over the landscape in a soft golden hue. Inside the cabin, however, the air was thick with the weight of unspoken words, emotions swirling just below the surface.Olivia stood by the window, staring out at the tranquil view, her fingers tracing the edge of the glass as if she could touch the world outside. Ethan was in the kitchen, preparing coffee, the sounds of him moving around barely registering in her mind as she replayed the events of the previous night.She could still feel the warmth of his touch, the way his lips had lingered on hers, as if to reassure them both that they were in this together. But even as she let herself fall deeper into the safety of his embrace, there was something in Ethan’s eyes that told her he was still holding something back.She could feel it in the
Chapter 129: Facing the Storm TogetherThe storm raged outside, but inside, the warmth of the cabin wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the chaos that threatened to engulf their world. Ethan held Olivia close, the steady rhythm of his breathing a comfort in the midst of their shared silence. But the air was thick with unspoken words, with the weight of everything they still had yet to face.Olivia could feel the tension still gripping Ethan’s body, the restlessness that lingered even in the safety of their shared space. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him, her heart heavy with the truth he had revealed. But in that same breath, a new determination sparked within her.“We can’t keep hiding from this, Ethan,” Olivia said, her voice soft but resolute. “You’re not alone in this fight. We’ll face whatever’s coming together. That’s what we do.”Ethan’s eyes softened, and for a moment, it seemed as if the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders, if only for a second. He
Chapter 128: Unraveling the PastThe storm outside had only intensified, its howling winds battering against the cabin walls as if trying to break through the calm they’d created inside. But Ethan's earlier revelation hung heavily between them, and the tension was palpable.Olivia sat on the edge of the small couch, her fingers nervously twisting together as she watched Ethan pace back and forth. He was restless, as if something was gnawing at him, something he couldn't quite grasp. And Olivia knew, knew that whatever was coming, it wasn’t just about enemies, power, or protection. It was personal."Do you trust me?" Ethan's voice broke the silence, harsh but not unkind.Olivia looked up at him, her heart thudding in her chest. The weight of his question felt monumental. "Of course, I do," she replied, her voice firm but soft. "You know that."He stopped pacing and turned to face her, his eyes dark with emotion. "This thing I’m facing… it’s not just about business. It’s not just about
Chapter 127: The Storm ApproachesThe next morning, the storm that had been looming on the horizon finally broke. The sun, which had been so bright and calm the previous day, now hid behind dark clouds, and a sharp wind began to whip through the trees. Olivia could feel the tension in the air, thick and oppressive.She sat at the small wooden table in the cabin, staring out of the window as the storm clouds gathered, her mind racing with everything that Ethan had told her the night before. She knew that whatever was coming was more than just a simple challenge—they were heading into something far deeper, something darker than they’d expected. And the fact that Ethan hadn’t shared everything with her only made her more nervous.She knew he was trying to protect her. But part of her couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of isolation. What if he was keeping something from her that she needed to know?As if on cue, Ethan walked into the room, his expression tense. His usually sharp, com
Chapter 126: The Calm Before the StormThe morning sun streamed through the large windows of the cabin, casting soft golden light across the room. Olivia stirred in her sleep, the warmth of the blankets surrounding her, and the faint smell of pine lingering in the air. It was quiet, peaceful—something she had not experienced in a long time. And as she opened her eyes, she saw Ethan lying beside her, his expression calm and serene as he slept.For a moment, Olivia just watched him, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, but in that moment, it felt like they had finally found a sense of peace. She carefully moved to get out of bed, trying not to disturb him, but just as she reached for the blanket, Ethan stirred.“Where are you going?” His voice was low and husky from sleep, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips.“I was just going to make us some coffee,” Olivia whispered, smiling at the fact that he seemed to always