Claire always thought she could handle anything. She'd worked long hours as a secretary. She watched her family struggle after losing everything. She even married a guy she barely knew to save them. But nothing prepared her for what she saw on her phone.
Blackwood Enterprises CEO and Wife Linked to Bennett Family Fraud Scandal.
The words blurred as Claire gasped. She squeezed her phone, feeling her heart race. What was this about? As she read the article, panic washed over her.
The story said her dad's failed business was propped up by shady loans connected to Blackwood Enterprises. Even worse, it implied that her marriage to Ethan was just a cover-up.
Claire felt sick. Was this what people thought of her? A gold digger who married Ethan to hide family secrets?
Her phone buzzed, snapping her back to reality. It was a message from Margaret.
"Claire, what's going on? Mom's crying. Dad won't come out of his room."
Claire swallowed hard. She wanted to reply, but what could she say? She was still in the dark.
Taking a deep breath, she headed to Ethan's office. The sound of her heels echoed on the marble floor, matching the anger building inside her.
When she got to his door, she didn't knock. She pushed it open. Ethan was there, looking grim. He seemed ready for her.
"Claire," he started, but she cut him off.
"What the hell is this, Ethan?" She slammed her phone on his desk, the article glaring up at them. "Did you know about this?"
Ethan leaned back, looking tense. "I found out this morning."
"Don't lie to me!" Claire's voice cracked, and she could feel her calm slipping away. "You knew about my family's troubles. Did you set this up? Was our marriage just to protect your company?"
Ethan stood up, towering over her. "Claire, calm down. This isn't what you think."
"Then what is it?" she shouted. "I'm being dragged through the mud for something I didn't do. My family is humiliated, and I don't even know why!"
Ethan ran his hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "The loans were real. But someone is twisting the story. I'm trying to fix this."
"Fix it?" Claire laughed bitterly. "By throwing more money at it? This isn't just about your image. This is my life. My family."
Ethan's expression softened for a moment. "I know. I'm sorry. But I need you to trust me."
Trust. That word weighed heavy. Claire wanted to believe him, but doubt ate at her. Was he protecting her or himself?
Before she could answer, Ethan's assistant knocked and came in. "Mr. Blackwood, the PR team is ready."
Ethan nodded and looked back at Claire. "We'll talk later."
"No," she said firmly. "We'll talk now."
"Claire," he replied, his tone sharper, "I don't have time for this. If we don't manage this right, it'll only get worse."
Claire's fists tightened. "Fine. Go handle your crisis. But don't expect me to sit back until I know the truth."
She stormed out, feeling a mix of anger, fear, and betrayal.
---
Back at her apartment, Claire flopped onto the couch. Her mind raced. She wanted to trust Ethan. But how did the media find out about her dad's loans? And why were they connected to Blackwood Enterprises?
Her phone buzzed again. It was Margaret.
"The reporters are outside. What do I do?"
Claire's stomach twisted. She had to act. Her family didn't deserve this.
Without thinking, she grabbed her bag and rushed to her parents' house. When she got there, reporters swarmed outside. She pushed through, ignoring their shouted questions, and slammed the door behind her.
Inside, it was tense. Her mom was on the couch, wringing her hands. Her dad paced the room. Margaret looked lost in a corner.
"Claire," her mom said, voice shaking. "What's happening? Why are they saying these things about us?"
Claire knelt in front of her mom and took her hands. "I don't know, Mom. But I promise I'll figure it out."
Her dad stopped pacing and faced her, looking hard. "Is this because of your husband?"
The accusation hurt, but she understood. "I don't know, Dad. I'm trying to get to the bottom of this."
He shook his head. "I warned you about marrying him."
Claire held back a comeback. This wasn't the time for that. "We need to figure out what to do. Have you talked to anyone?"
Her dad's silence said it all. Claire sighed and pulled out her phone. If Ethan wouldn't help, she'd find the answers herself.
---
Meanwhile, Ethan was in a meeting with his PR team, frustration rising. The scandal was worse than he thought. Leaked emails tied the Bennett family's loans to his company.
Victor.
Ethan clenched his fists, realizing his father had set this up, using Claire's family against him.
"Sir," one PR specialist said hesitantly, "we need to address this. A joint statement from you and Claire would help."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "I'll handle it."
He didn't know how, but he had to fix this—for Claire.
As he left the meeting, his phone buzzed with a text from Claire.
"We need to talk. Now."
Ethan sighed. He wasn't sure if she'd believe him, but he had to try.
---
Back at her apartment, Claire waited for Ethan, her nerves on edge. When he arrived, she got straight to the point.
"Did your father do this?"
Ethan didn't answer.
Claire shook with anger. "So this was all just a game to him? To you?"
"No," he said firmly, stepping closer. "I didn't know he was going to do this. I never wanted you or your family in this mess."
"But you knew he could," Claire shot back. "You knew what kind of man he was, and you still brought me into this."
Ethan reached for her, but she stepped back. "Please, let me fix this."
"How?" she asked, tears in her eyes. "By throwing money? By issuing a statement? This isn't just your company. This is my life!"
Ethan's shoulders slumped. "I don't have all the answers, but I promise I'll make it right."
Claire shook her head. She couldn't bear the weight of this betrayal. "I need time, Ethan. I can't handle this now."
Ethan's heart sank as she walked away, leaving him alone with the mess. For the first time, he questioned if he'd already lost her.