That same evening, Briena and her mother, Clara, arrived at a private room in one of the high-end hotels, where they had arranged a dinner with Ivan and his mother, Amelia. The purpose was to clarify the recent incident that had negatively impacted Briena's image.
"Mother, what if Ivan breaks off the engagement with me?" Briena's voice trembled, her face sad, eyes moist with unshed tears.
"It won't happen," Clara assured her, her tone firm. "I've already spoken to his mother. Your grandmother has ordered the clearing of all those news stories, and she's even offered a new project contract to the Browns. With the power we hold, they have no choice but to comply."
"But Natalie… she's not going to stop. I'm sure she'll continue to create problems for me. She won't accept seeing me with Ivan. What if she plots something again? She's there living with her husband, and here I am…" Briena choked on her words, tears spilling from her eyes.
