The air inside the penthouse was tense.
Emma scrolled through her phone, eyes scanning the latest headline flashing across a popular gossip blog:
"Billionaire Alexander Blackwood's Wife: Wild Past Exposed!"
She didn't even have to click the article. The blurry images from her college days were plastered under the headline one with her laughing, another with the red solo cup, and the worst, mid-argument with Marcus, face twisted in frustration.
Her stomach clenched. The leak had happened.
She looked up at Alexander, who stood by the floor to ceiling windows, phone to his ear. His voice was low but sharp clipped, professional, dangerous.
I want every trace of it scrubbed, Every site, every post. Pay what needs to be paid. And keep eyes on Marcus. He ended the call and turned to her, jaw tense.
It's started, Emma whispered.
He nodded. They're moving fast.
Emma swallowed. Celeste got to him, Marcus, That voice message she probably offered him something he couldn't refuse.
Alexander's expression darkened. "Then we go straight to the source."
Across the city An upscale hotel suite
Celeste wore a crimson coat over a black power suit. Her heels clicked across the marble floor of the private suite she'd rented for this very occasion. Kara lingered near the window, arms crossed.
There was a knock.
Celeste opened the door with a smile like poison.
Marcus strolled in, his leather jacket half zipped, his smirk casual the kind that used to charm college girls and annoy bouncers. Nice place, he said, looking around. "Classy."
Don't get comfortable, Celeste replied, pouring herself a drink. We're here for business.
He raised a brow. So what's the deal, Celeste? You really want dirt on Emma that badly?
She handed him a tablet.
On the screen: the college photos, Emma's old transcript, and a folder labeled "CONFIDENTIAL."
Make the world question her, Celeste said. Say she cheated, drank too much, lied, Be creative.
Marcus leaned back, amused. You want fiction or facts?
Both, she said coolly. Spin the truth. Add drama. Just make sure it hits hard.
He whistled. "And what's in it for me?"
"Money, Exposure, A fresh start in the spotlight."
He shrugged. Alright, princess. Let's ruin a billionaire's marriage.
Later that night Emma's confrontation
Emma stood in the parking garage of a downtown studio. Marcus had agreed to meet her "off record" before a podcast appearance Celeste had lined up.
She didn't tell Alexander.
She needed to face him herself.
The air smelled of gasoline and cheap cologne. When Marcus appeared, smug and unbothered, she clenched her fists.
Well, well, he grinned. "If it isn't the wife of Mr. Blackwood himself."
"Stop it, Marcus."
He raised his hands. Relax, Em. I'm just making conversation.
You leaked the pictures, she said flatly. "You sold me out."
He tilted his head. "Why not? Everyone's cashing in. I was just following the trend."
Her voice dropped. "You and I both know what really happened in college. The arguments, The bruises, The fear.
He flinched.
Emma stepped closer, Don't make me tell the world the whole truth.
Marcus chuckled, but it was shaky. "You wouldn't, No one would believe you."
You want to bet? she snapped. I have a bigger platform now, Alexander has lawyers, Publicists, PR specialists. I will bury you if you try to drag me down.
He hesitated, eyes darting Celeste promised
She promised to use you and discard you the moment your lies stop being useful, Emma interrupted, You're not a partner to her, You're just a pawn.
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Marcus sighed, You always were too smart for me.
Then act like it Walk away, she replied
He didn't reply, but she saw it in his eyes the fear, the hesitation, Maybe even regret.
She turned and walked away.
The next day Media Frenzy
Emma's phone buzzed endlessly.
Headlines were everywhere:
"Emma Blackwood's Party Girl Past Uncovered!"
"Who is Marcus, the Ex with a Vengeance?"
"Emma Responds to Leaked Scandal in Stunning Statement"
Except she hadn't responded yet.
She sat on the couch in a robe, the PR team waiting on standby. Alexander stood beside her, expression unreadable.
We have two options, said Claire, their head publicist. Deny everything, or spin it as a redemption story.
Emma looked at Alexander, What do you think?
He sat beside her, I think you should own your truth. Show them you're not hiding.
Claire nodded. "If you frame this right, it could actually build your public image."
Emma closed her eyes briefly, then opened them with a spark of determination, Let's write a statement No lies, Just me.
Emma's Official Statement (posted on her verified Instagram)
Yes, the pictures are real.
Yes, I had a messy past.
I've made mistakes, like anyone else.
But I've also grown, fought, healed, and learned.
The person I was then is not who I am now.
And I will not let shame or someone else's bitterness define me.
To the young women watching: you are allowed to evolve.
Don't let anyone weaponize your journey.
sincerely,
Emma Blackwood.
Within minutes, it went viral.
Support flooded in. Celebrities shared it. Influencers posted messages of solidarity. Even news outlets praised her transparency.
Celeste's plan was unraveling.
Celeste's apartment chaos
Kara paced back and forth, She flipped it on you.
Celeste's jaw was tight, I noticed.
"You said the press would turn on her."
They didn't.
"Worse" Kara said. She made you look like a villain.
Celeste grabbed her wine glass and hurled it at the wall.
We need something bigger, she hissed, If the past can't destroy her, maybe the present can.
Kara narrowed her eyes. Like what?
Celeste's eyes gleamed. "Maybe it's time to use someone closer to Alexander.
Blackwood Corporation Boardroom
Alexander stood in front of a long conference table, a team of lawyers and executives staring at him.
We need to contain this, his CFO said. It's starting to affect stock perception.
I've handled worse, Alexander said. This is temporary.
A junior assistant walked in, whispering something into Claire's ear.
Claire's eyes widened. Sir Celeste just released a video.
Alexander's face hardened, Of what?
It's a private recording, Claire said. "You and Emma. In the penthouse.
He stood instantly, How the hell did she get that?
Emma, who had just arrived, turned pale. You don't have hidden cameras
No But the security system might've been hacked.
Claire showed the screen.
It was blurry, low quality likely from a hacked device. It showed Emma curled up beside Alexander on the couch, crying, confessing her fears about her past.
She wants the world to see Emma as weak, Claire said.
She wants her humiliated, Alexander replied darkly.
Emma stared at the screen. Let them see, Let them see everything.
Alexander looked at her, surprised.
She wants me to look small, Emma said. But I'm not ashamed of breaking down, I'm human, And I'm not afraid to be real anymore.
That night, Celeste was celebrating with champagne. Until her phone buzzed.
A legal warning.
You are hereby served with a cease and desist order for invasion of privacy, defamation, and unauthorized surveillance.
Her smirk fell.
And then another buzz.
From: Unknown Number
Message: You just made the biggest mistake of your life. A.B.
Celeste stared at it.
For the first time, her fingers trembled.