a's

own the viral video of Ethan and Lilian. The headlines had been refocused, thanks to Maggie. My best friend, ever

"She's not some bitter ex looking for revenge. Ethan Blackvale cheated

was previously abuzz with accusations that I'd leaked the f

he scandal erupted, I experienced a glimmer of relief. I was wide open, my heart aching from Ethan's betrayal and Lilian's slap, but Maggie's steadfastness w

ice cracked, and the burden I was holding was clear. I wished for it to be simple, for life to h

under those mysterious circumstances years ago. Perhaps I wouldn't have sold

er messy bob fell across her mischievous

"If he were around, I wouldn't have been so stupid as to trust Ethan. Did I ever tell you how we got

trapped, horrified, and then Ethan was there. The man took a bullet for me! In his arm. I thought he was my savior. Th

just anybody unless there's something in it for him." She took my hand and squeezed it. "You loved him because you believed he was your hero, but he´s not. He exploited y

But there was something about that mysterious E. Black call that offered me opportunity t

d. "Listen to me, Bella. That E

to the moment before me, the Ashcroft empire that I had taken back. But I couldn't stop thinking about the enigmatic E. Black. The name wa

, her auburn bob pinned behind one ear as she tracked the social media backlash to Ethan's disgrace. "Miss P

." No picture, no face - just a name and a trail of brash acts. He had been poaching top tech talent, snatching up engi

ot only an investment - it's a statement. I want to know who he is." I'd already submitted a request through my legal team, mandating a sit down

"You suspect it's Ethan, don't you?

name's too similar. But why use an alias? He's already lost control of me." Still, doubt lingered. I had

I cut to the chase when he answered the phone. The silence from his end lengthened, and I waited. But when he

" His discomfort was palpable, not the slick denial I had been prepared to

. I trailed my fingers over the raised letters: E.B. The message was short and written in beautiful, delicate hand, "Miss Hartman, I hope we still meet at the tech summit to

- I was in it to win it. Whoever he was, he was brazen, and he had an interest in my empire that had to be addressed. Was he a friend