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Chapter 13 - Chapter 13

Thomas's threats hung in the air like a storm cloud, but Xavier wasn't going to let them dictate his next moves. The morning after their confrontation, he arrived at the office early, ready to face whatever chaos his brother might try to stir. He had learned long ago that Thomas thrived on intimidation and manipulation, but Xavier wasn't about to let himself or Elizabeth become pawns in his game.

Elizabeth, as always, was already two steps ahead. She had spent the early hours poring over files Xavier might need to counter any of Thomas's accusations. When Xavier walked into his office, she was waiting for him with a stack of documents and a steaming cup of coffee.

"Good morning," she greeted him with a calm but determined smile.

Xavier couldn't help but smile back. "You didn't have to get up this early."

"I know," she said, sliding the documents across his desk. "But if Thomas wants to play dirty, then we're going to make sure you have every weapon in your arsenal."

He flipped through the stack, impressed. "You're incredible, you know that?"

She shrugged, her smile softening. "I just want to make sure you win. For both of us."

Xavier nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. He couldn't let Thomas unravel everything he and Elizabeth had worked for—not just in business, but in building a life together.

Later that morning, Xavier called for a meeting with his legal and PR teams. If Thomas intended to weaponize Elizabeth's past, Xavier needed to be ready to control the narrative.

"First," he began, addressing the room, "I want everyone to understand one thing: my wife's past is not a liability. If Thomas tries to spin it that way, we will respond decisively."

The head of PR, a sharp-eyed woman named Clara, nodded. "Of course, Mr. Cole. We've already prepared a strategy to handle any negative press he might stir up. Transparency is key. If we can get ahead of the story, we can control how it's framed."

Xavier  leaned forward. "Good. But I want to avoid dragging Elizabeth  into this as much as possible. Thomas isn't just attacking me—he's trying to hurt her, and I won't let that happen."

Clara exchanged a glance with the company's legal counsel, a man named Ethan. "Understood," Ethan said. "But you should be prepared for the possibility that Thomas will escalate. If he's desperate, he might resort to legal action or even fabricate evidence to make his claims more damaging."

Xavier's jaw tightened. "Let him try. We'll be ready."

That afternoon, as Xavier returned to his office, Karen stopped him in the hallway, her face pale.

"Mr. Cole," she said hesitantly, "I think you need to see this."

She handed him a tablet, and Xavier's stomach sank as he read the headline splashed across the business news site: "Scandal in the Cole Family: CEO's Wife Linked to Questionable Past."

The article was thin on details, but it didn't need to be detailed to cause damage. The reporter had clearly been fed just enough by Thomas to create doubt and stir controversy. They hinted at Elizabeth's financial struggles before meeting Xavier, implying she had ulterior motives for their relationship.

Xavier's blood boiled as he read the insinuations. This wasn't just an attack on his leadership—it was a calculated move to humiliate Elizabeth and cast a shadow over their marriage.

When he returned to his office, Xavier was already there, her expression calm but her eyes betraying a flicker of worry. She held her phone in her hand, likely having seen the same article.

"I guess Thomas isn't wasting time," she said, her voice steady.

Xavier placed the tablet on his desk and took her hands in his. "This is a smear campaign, nothing more. He's trying to shake us, but we're not going to let him."

She nodded, but he could see the hurt in her eyes. "Xavier, I'm not ashamed of where I came from. But it's hard to see my life twisted into something ugly."

"I know," he said softly, pulling her into his arms. "And I'll do everything in my power to make sure this doesn't hurt you. You don't deserve this."

Elizabeth  rested her head against his chest, her voice quiet. "We'll get through it. Together."

The following days were a whirlwind of damage control. Clara's team worked tirelessly to counter the narrative Thomas had planted, arranging interviews and releasing statements that painted Elizabeth as resilient and determined—a woman who had overcome adversity to build a successful life with Xavier.

Xavier, meanwhile, focused on the company, refusing to let Thomas's antics distract him from the larger battle for control. His strategy meetings with the board grew more frequent, and he used every opportunity to remind them of his vision for the company's future.

But the pressure weighed on him. Every night, as he lay beside Elizabeth, he felt the weight of the public scrutiny and the knowledge that Thomas was still scheming in the background. It was a battle on all fronts, and Xavier knew he couldn't afford to falter.

One week later, Xavier received an unexpected visitor.

He was in his office, reviewing reports, when Karen entered with a perplexed expression. "Mr. Cole, there's a woman here asking to see you. She says it's urgent."

Xavier  frowned. "Who is she?"

"She wouldn't give her name," Karen said hesitantly. "But she claims she has information about Thomas."

Xavier's curiosity was piqued. "Send her in."

A moment later, a tall, confident woman entered the office. She was dressed sharply, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. There was an air of authority about her that immediately commanded attention.

"Mr. Cole," she said, extending a hand. "My name is Elena Harper. I used to work with your brother."

Xavier's eyebrows rose. "Work with him? In what capacity?"

Elena took a seat, her expression serious. "Let's just say I was part of his inner circle until recently. But Thomas has a way of burning bridges, and now I'm here to make amends."

Xavier  leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Amends? Why?"

"Because Thomas isn't just targeting you," Elena said. "He's crossing lines that could destroy this company—and possibly land him in legal trouble. I thought you'd want to know."

Xavier studied her carefully, trying to gauge her motives. "Why should I trust you?"

"Because I have proof," Elena said simply, pulling a folder from her bag. "Emails, documents, even recorded conversations. Everything you need to expose Thomas for what he really is."

Xavier opened the folder, his eyes scanning the contents. It was a treasure trove of incriminating evidence—illegal deals, attempts to bribe board members, and schemes to sabotage Xavier's  leadership.

"This is… significant," Xavier said, his mind racing. "Why are you giving this to me?"

Elena's expression softened. "Because I've seen what Thomas is capable of, and I don't want to be part of it anymore. He doesn't care about the company or the people who work here. He only cares about himself."

Xavier nodded slowly, his mind already working through how to use this information. "Thank you, Elena. This changes everything."

As she left, Xavier felt a surge of determination. With this evidence, he could finally put an end to Thomas's schemes once and for all. But he knew the battle wasn't over yet. Thomas wouldn't go down without a fight—and Xavier had to be ready for whatever came next.

As he picked up the phone to call Elizabeth, he felt a flicker of hope. The storm was far from over, but for the first time in weeks, he felt like he had the upper hand.