The following morning, Chloe woke up feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Last night had been… unexpected, but in a good way. For the first time since their whirlwind arrangement began, she felt as though she and Sebastian were starting to understand each other.
But her peace was short-lived.
She was sipping her morning coffee in the sunlit conservatory when Mrs. Hargrove approached, her expression unusually tense.
"There's something you should see, Mrs. Kane," she said, placing a tablet on the table in front of Chloe.
Chloe frowned, setting her mug down as she glanced at the screen. The headline made her stomach drop:
"Secrets Behind the Kane Marriage: The Real Reason Chloe Sullivan Became Mrs. Billionaire."
Her hand trembled as she clicked on the article. It was a detailed exposé filled with speculation about their relationship. The piece painted her as a social climber who had manipulated her way into Sebastian's life, while Sebastian was framed as a ruthless businessman using their "marriage" to secure deals.
Every detail—her modest background, their whirlwind courtship, and even last night's dinner—was twisted into something sinister.
"How did they get all this?" Chloe whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Unfortunately, it gets worse," Mrs. Hargrove said grimly, scrolling to a series of leaked photos.
Chloe gasped. There were pictures of her and Sebastian at the gala, last night's dinner, and even candid shots from around the mansion. The captions were damning:
"A marriage of convenience?"
"Chloe Sullivan: Gold digger or genius?"
"Kane's new wife hides a scandalous past!"
She felt sick. "Who would do this?"
Before Mrs. Hargrove could answer, Sebastian stormed into the room, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. His expression was thunderous.
"You've seen it," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Chloe nodded, holding up the tablet. "How did this happen?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out," he said, pacing the room. "I've already contacted my legal team to handle the leaks, but the damage is done."
"Do you think it's someone on the inside?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"It has to be," Sebastian said. "These photos… someone's been watching us."
The realization sent a chill down Chloe's spine.
---
Damage Control
An hour later, Chloe found herself seated across from Sebastian in his office, both of them staring at Ethan Carlisle, who was as unflappable as ever.
"We have a serious problem," Ethan said, tossing a stack of printed articles onto the desk. "The media is having a field day with this, and your investors are already calling for reassurance."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "I don't need reassurance calls. I need names. Who leaked this?"
Ethan shrugged. "We're working on it, but it'll take time. In the meantime, you need to control the narrative."
"How?" Chloe asked, feeling completely out of her depth.
Ethan turned to her, his expression calculating. "You and Sebastian need to go public—together. An interview, a statement, something that shows the world you're a united front. If you don't, this story will spiral out of control."
Sebastian's brow furrowed. "I don't like putting Chloe in the spotlight."
She blinked, surprised by his protectiveness.
"You don't have a choice," Ethan countered. "The spotlight's already on her. The only way out is through."
Chloe took a deep breath, forcing herself to think rationally. "Fine. I'll do it. But only if we're honest—at least as much as we can be."
Sebastian hesitated, his gaze locked with hers. Finally, he nodded. "We'll do it your way."
---
The Interview
Later that day, Chloe and Sebastian sat side by side in their living room, facing a journalist from one of the most respected news outlets. The cameras were rolling, and every word they said would soon be dissected by millions.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kane," the journalist began, her tone neutral but probing. "There's been a lot of speculation about your marriage. Can you address the rumors?"
Sebastian spoke first, his voice steady. "Our marriage is real. We may have met under unconventional circumstances, but we're committed to each other—and to making this work."
Chloe nodded, adding, "The scrutiny has been overwhelming, but at the end of the day, we're just two people trying to figure things out."
The journalist leaned forward. "And the claims that this is a business arrangement?"
Chloe hesitated, glancing at Sebastian. This was the moment of truth.
"Our marriage began with certain practical considerations," she admitted, choosing her words carefully. "But it's become so much more than that. We've learned to trust each other, and that's what matters."
Sebastian's hand found hers, a small but deliberate gesture that sent a clear message.
The journalist nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Thank you for your honesty. One last question—what do you say to those who doubt your relationship?"
Sebastian's lips curved into a faint smile. "Let them doubt. We'll prove them wrong."
As the interview wrapped up, Chloe felt a mix of relief and dread. They'd done what they could, but she knew the battle was far from over.
---
That night, as Chloe sat alone in the library, her phone buzzed with a new message.
Unknown Number: You're playing a dangerous game, Mrs. Kane. Be careful who you trust.
Her heart pounded as she stared at the screen. The leaks weren't just a coincidence—someone was targeting them. And whoever it was, they weren't finished yet.