Chapter 57
“With this post of his, you can already guess what would happen if you rashly release the footage. Not only would the public doubt you–they’d even see you as the villain.”
“Brandon has painted himself as a poor sap forced into an engagement by his family. So when people watch the ban- quet video, they won’t think ‘he cheated.‘ They’ll think ‘poor guy, trapped in a political marriage.‘
“The same logic applies to him portraying Claire as an innocent victim, he’s not just making himself the protective white knight–he’s planting sympathy so that when the footage airs, people will pity her, not hate her.”
“Notice how he admits to being ‘partly responsible.‘ That’s bait. It makes him sound honest, but it’s vague enough that no one can pin him down for it.”
“But the most dangerous part is that line about you being ‘manipulated by people with unclear intentions.‘ That’s a poison seed. From now on, anything you do can be spun as proof that you’re not acting of your own will—especially if I’m involved. Release the footage now, and it’ll look like my idea, not the truth.”
Her gaze cleared up. “So you’re saying we’re trapped? That we can do nothing but just sit here and let him slander us?”
I shared a glance with Callum and smiled faintly.
When he’d called earlier to inform me, I’d already enlisted his help to monitor and control the situation online with
Raven Entertainment’s PR.
t
“Of course not. For now, we let them play to their heart’s content while we plan and organize our strategy.”
Looking at her so focused, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Adorable.
I reached out and ruffled her hair. “Don’t be so tense. I promise this’ll end beautifully.”
Callum cleared his throat, and she swatted my hand away with a glare.
“What can I do to help?” she asked Callum instead, probably finding me unreliable.
That made me smile.
Callum looked at me, and I answered for him. “Send us every piece of evidence you have on him and Claire. The more incriminating, the better.”
She nodded, pulling her phone from her bag. “Got it. I’ll send it now–and keep an eye out for more.”
Honestly, I could have handled it all myself, but I knew she didn’t want to be treated like a damsel in distress, so giv-
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ing her a task kept her focused.
Honestly, I could have handled it all myself, but I knew she didn’t want to be treated like a damsel in distress. Giving her something to do would keep her focused and, most importantly from overthinking.
A knock came at the office door.
“Come in,” Callum said without looking up.
Alicia, his secretary, stepped inside.
“Sir,” she greeted. “Per your request, PR has been tracking trending keywords linked to Brandon Scott and Claire Brooks. They just reported that Claire is live–streaming right now.”
She crossed the room and set a tablet on the coffee table, the screen already playing the feed.
“Thanks,” Callum replied.
Alicia gave a brief nod and slipped out, closing the door quietly behind her.
“… it’s all my fault,” Claire’s voice came through, her face the picture of guilt. “I always knew people thought Lilith and Brandon were engaged. But maybe because I knew neither had feelings for the other, I let myself fall in love with him.”
I glanced at Lilith in concern, only to find a faint trace of amusement tugging at her lips.
She caught my look and smiled.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve had experience.”
I didn’t ask if she meant with Brandon… or something else entirely.
On the screen, Claire continued, “She once told me if she married Brandon, it would only be to escape her parents‘ control.”
So she’d never cared for him? Never had feelings for him?
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