CHAPTER SIX

The steady tapping of fingers on the keyboard filled the quiet office. Seth Donovan the youthful thirty-two-year-old chief executive officer, was acknowledged as one of the most eloquent legal minds in the industry. 

 

 

 

A soft knock interrupted his focus. “Come in,” he barked without even lifting his head. He was so engrossed in his monitor. The door opened and Edward entered the room dressed in casual clothes; he was Seth’s right hand and a reliable friend. 

 

 

 

 

Edward ran a hand through his hair, a habit Seth recognized as a sign of stress. "We've got a situation, Seth. It's about Stone Enterprises." 

 

 

Seth leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening. "Richard Stone. What's he up to now?" 

 

 

Edward dropped a thick file on Seth's desk. "It's worse than we thought.” 

 

 

Seth glanced through the file, his frown becoming more profound with each page. The headlines screamed accusations: "Toxic Work Environment at Donovan Corp," "Top Talent Fleeing Seth Donovan's Sinking Ship." 

 

"It gets worse," Edward said, pointing to a particularly lurid headline. "Seth Donovan; a fraudulent gay man abandoned by his girlfriend?" "They are really scuffing the bottom of the barrel."  

 

 

"This is ludicrous," Seth murmured, throwing the file away. "Where are they getting this garbage?" 

 

 

Edward sighed heavily. "Richard and his father have been feeding these 'hints' to the media. It's a full-blown smear campaign.”  

 

 

Seth's jaw clenched. "This is about losing that bid, isn't it? Richard's always been a sore loser, but this... this is crossing a line." 

 

 

"It's not just petty revenge anymore, Seth, we need to shake up Stone Enterprise but as long as Richard's core design series remains popular, we can't deliver a fatal blow to his company,” Edward said, his voice tight with concern. "These rumours are causing real damage. We've lost two major contracts this week alone, and investors are getting nervous." 

 

 

Seth stood up, pacing to the window. “So what do you suggest?” 

 

 

“That you step in, Seth. You’re not just a CEO You're one of the top lawyers in the country. If anyone can navigate this mess, it's you." 

 

 

Seth turned back to face Edward, his expression thoughtful. "It's not that simple, Edward. Richard's company is aware of who I am and what I'm capable of. They're using borderline tactics, operating in legal grey areas. Even if we address these issues in court, without a 'fatal blow', it won't seriously harm Richard's company." 

 

 

Edward’s shoulders slumped. "So we just let them continue? Watch our reputation get dragged through the mud? 

 

 

Seth shook his head, a determined glint in his eye. "I didn't say that. We need to be smart about this. We can't just react; we need to be proactive." 

 

 

A moment of silence fell between them before Edward spoke again, his tone hesitant. 

"Speaking of being proactive... did you learn anything useful at Richard's celebration party? Any chance of getting close to his wife? I've heard Isabella is quite talented. Maybe there's potential for collaboration there?" 

 

 

Seth's mind flashed back to the party, where he had noticed the worry in Isabella's eyes and her unsteady demeanour. He shook his head, unwilling to betray her privacy. "No, nothing useful there. Isabella...she's not what the rumours make her out to be. But she's Richard's wife, Ed. That's not a line we're going to cross." 

 

Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess it was a long shot. Just trying to think outside the box, you know?  

 

 

Seth nodded, his mind already racing with potential strategies. "We need to focus on what we can control. Strengthen our relationships with clients and investors, and double down on innovation. And maybe...maybe it's time we start digging deeper into Richard's business practices. Not for a smear campaign, but for the truth." 

 

 

Edward’s eyes lit up. "Now that sounds like a plan. Want me to get the team on it?" 

 

 

"Yes, but discreetly," Seth cautioned. "We're not stooping to Richard's level. We're going to do this right.” 

  

 

As Edward turned to leave, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "You know, Seth, while Richard is a terrible person, maybe you could learn a thing or two from him about wooing women. Might help with your perpetually single status." 

 

 

Seth groaned, tossing a pen at him. "Et tu, Edward? Now you're pressuring me to get married too? I feel like I'm back home with my mom and aunts." 

 

 

Edward laughed, dodging the pen. “Hey, I’m the one fending off your mom’s questions about your dating life! She even asked me to find out more about your preferences and see if I could bring in suitable candidates to the company for you to meet.” 

 

 

Seth went back to his chair, a smile playing on his lips. “What else have both of you been discussing behind my back? Let’s hear it.” 

 

 

Edward’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Oh, you know, the usual. ‘When is Seth going to settle down?’ ‘Does he even date?’ And my personal favourite: ‘Edward, dear, you spend so much time with him. Are you sure he’s not…you know?’” 

 

 

Seth groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Please tell me you didn’t fuel that particular fire.” 

 

 

“Relax,” Edward chuckled. “I assured her that your preferences run strictly towards the fairer sex, but I didn’t mention your exact type to her.” 

 

“Very funny,” Seth said with a hint of sarcasm. “I date. I just haven’t found the right person yet.” 

 

 

Edward smirked. “Maybe you haven’t found the right one because your standards are impossibly high.” 

 

 

Seth raised an eyebrow, playfully challenging him. “Oh really? And what exactly are my standards?” 

 

 

Edward straightened up, mimicking Seth’s tone with exaggerated gravity. “You said, and I quote, ‘I want my wife to be an independent person, ideally with a career we can discuss.’ Then I introduced you to a fellow businesswoman, and you two blocked each other after the first meeting." 

 

 

Seth's expression darkened. "She proposed a purely business marriage where we wouldn't interfere with each other's lives. That's not exactly what I'm looking for in a life partner." 

 

 

"Fair enough," Edward conceded. "What about the blonde model?" 

 

 

Seth sighed heavily. "She couldn't accept my vision for the future. I want a naturally conceived child, but if not possible, adoption is fine. She suggested I find a surrogate but publicly claim the child as hers because she couldn't bear the potential impact of pregnancy on her body or the blemish on her "natural goddess" image. She should marry her perfect commercial persona, not me.” 

 

 

Edward winced. "Okay, that's... yeah. But what about the actress? She’s always asking me about your preferences and schedule, showing a lot of interest in everything you do. She graduated with a degree in finance and is now a well-known actress. She seems to fit what you're looking for. 

 

 

Seth mocked, “Actress? Her? More like ‘act-risks’.” 

 

 

“What happened between you two?” 

 

 

Seth's frown deepened. "We met twice. On the third meeting, she presented a stack of contracts demanding payment based on my assets for each step in our relationship, with double compensation for any missed dates due to work." 

 

Edward’s jaw dropped. "You're kidding." 

 

 

"I wish I was," Seth said dryly. "When I pointed out these contracts were illegal and extortionate, she stormed off. Now she's spreading rumors about how I wronged her. She should have received a legal notice before our conversation.” 

 

 

 Edward sat back in his chair, looking confused. "I take it all back." 

 

 

 

"Thank you for that," Seth said in a mocking voice. 

 

 

 

Edward leaned forward, his face softer now. "Seth, it won't be easy to find the right person." 

 

 

 

 

"Yeah, I know," Seth said quietly. 

 

 

Edward looked at the papers on the desk and had an idea. "You know if you had tried to date Richard's wife a few years ago... it might have fixed two problems at once." 

 

 

Seth looked up quickly, surprised. "Isabella? What do you mean?" 

 

 

 

But just as Edward was about to answer, Seth's intercom made a noise. "Mr. Donovan? Your 2 o'clock meeting is here."