Chapter 82: The masked Man

The next morning, the city buzzed with a frenzy of sensational headlines that lit up every newsstand and social media feed. The whispers of a masked man seen with Olivia Carter at a local café ignited a wildfire of speculation. Images dominated the front pages, showing Olivia and the masked figure sitting close, their hands almost touching, foreheads nearly meeting. 

**"Is Olivia Moving On? Mystery Man Spotted with Business Tycoon!"** 

**"Who is This Masked Stranger? Olivia Carter Sparks Romance Rumors!"** 

**"Former Wife of Ethan Pierce Found Cozying Up to a Mystery Man—Is Love in the Air?"**

With her heart racing, Olivia sat in the bustling office of Eva Enterprises, scrolling through her phone in disbelief. The headlines made her stomach churn. It felt like a cruel joke, one she hadn't signed up for. 

"Look at this!" Emma exclaimed, waving a newspaper around. "You and a masked man—just look at how close you are! This is insane!"

Olivia grimaced, rubbing her temples as she absorbed the chaos surrounding her. "It was just lunch! We weren't doing anything scandalous!"

"Yeah, but it sure looks that way," Alex chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "People are going to talk. We need to come up with a plan to manage this."

Ethan, who had recently regained his ability to walk after intensive therapy, wheeled himself over to Olivia, an unreadable expression on his face as he glanced at the headlines. "This is going to cause a ruckus. We need to protect my identity at all costs."

"What are we going to do?" Emma asked, her eyes wide with concern. "If they figure out who you are, it could ruin everything."

Olivia took a deep breath, trying to find her footing amid the chaos. "We need a story. If they start digging, we need something to distract them."

Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched. "We can't let them know I'm back, especially not Patrick."

"Right. I'll tell them I met this guy while I was abroad," Olivia suggested, her voice steady. "It'll keep them off our backs for a while."

"Wait, what?" Emma exclaimed, blinking in disbelief. "You're going to lie to the media?"

"Yes! If it keeps Ethan safe, then yes!" Olivia asserted, her eyes narrowing. "I'll say I met him in a completely different country. It's a good cover story, right?"

"Yeah, but lying to the media can backfire," Alex warned. "What if they dig deeper?"

"Then we'll have to stay ahead of them," Olivia replied, her voice resolute. "We need to be strategic."

As the day progressed, the office buzzed with gossip and speculation. Employees huddled in groups, whispering about the photo and the masked man who had suddenly entered their lives. Olivia and Ethan did their best to maintain a sense of normalcy, but the tension was palpable.

Later that afternoon, Linda burst into the office, her expression a mix of excitement and concern. "Have you all seen the news? It's gone viral! Everyone's talking about it!"

"Yeah, we're aware," Olivia replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It's chaos out there."

"Olivia, you need to handle this before it spirals even further," Linda advised, her voice firm. "I've had people from PR calling me all day, wanting a statement."

"Great. Just what I need," Olivia muttered. "I'll handle it. I just need to get my story straight."

Ethan wheeled himself closer to Olivia, determination in his eyes. "You're sure about this? Lying can lead to more trouble."

"I know," Olivia replied, meeting his gaze. "But I can't let anyone know you're back yet. Patrick is a loose cannon, and if he finds out, who knows what he'll do?"

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay. Let's do it your way for now, but we need a backup plan."

"Absolutely," Olivia agreed. "We'll come up with something to keep the media busy. I'll just have to spin it in a way that makes it sound convincing."

As Olivia prepared for a press conference later that week, the buzz in the city grew louder. News vans gathered outside the office building, reporters milling around with microphones and cameras ready to capture every moment.

The day of the press conference arrived, and Olivia stood at the podium, her heart racing. Ethan stayed backstage, knowing it was safer to remain hidden while Olivia handled the media.

"Thank you all for coming," Olivia began, her voice steady despite the nerves churning in her stomach. "I wanted to address the rumors surrounding my personal life and the photos that surfaced recently."

A sea of cameras flashed, eager reporters leaning forward in anticipation. 

"I recently met someone while abroad," she continued, her voice gaining confidence. "After everything that happened, I took time for myself to heal and find new beginnings. This man has been a source of support for me as I navigate my life and career."

"Can you tell us more about him? Is he involved in business?" a reporter shouted from the back.

Olivia hesitated, quickly searching for a response. "He's not in the business world. He's just a regular guy who understands the struggles I've faced. I value my privacy, so I hope you can respect that."

"Is there any chance he could be Ethan Pierce?" another reporter pressed.

"No!" Olivia shot back, a bit too quickly. "This is a fresh start for me. I'm ready to move on, and I hope everyone can understand that."

Just as she was about to wrap up, the doors swung open, and Jenna stormed in, her presence commanding attention. The chatter in the room ceased, and every eye turned toward her.

"Olivia!" Jenna called out, a smirk plastered across her face. "What a surprise to see you here! I just wanted to clarify something for everyone." She walked confidently toward the podium, the cameras flashing around her. "This man you've all been speculating about? He is not just a mystery man. He is my husband, Ethan Pierce!"

Gasps filled the room, and reporters eagerly leaned forward, their pens poised. 

Jenna continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, come on, Olivia! You think you can just swoop back in and claim my husband for yourself? Ethan and I have built a life together since you abandoned him!"

"Jenna, this isn't the time—" Olivia started, but Jenna cut her off.

"Oh, it absolutely is the time!" Jenna exclaimed, crossing her arms. "You're clearly desperate for attention, but let's set the record straight: Ethan is my husband now. Olivia Carter has nothing to do with him anymore."

A flurry of questions erupted from the reporters, each one trying to get a piece of the action. 

"Is Ethan with you?" one reporter shouted. 

"Where is Ethan right now?" another chimed in. 

"Is this a publicity stunt?" a third asked.

Jenna leaned closer to the microphone, reveling in the attention. "Let me assure you, Ethan and I are very much in love. And as for this masked stranger? He's not Ethan! He's just a desperate attempt from Olivia to regain some spotlight in her life."

Feeling the pressure mounting, Olivia took a deep breath. This was her moment to clarify the situation, and she refused to let Jenna control the narrative. "Jenna, you don't know who the masked man is. I do. He's someone I met abroad—a fresh start, like I said."

"Olivia, stop lying," Jenna shot back, her eyes narrowing. "You think you can just make up a story and it'll stick? You had your chance, and you blew it!"

"No, Jenna," Olivia replied, her voice steady. "This isn't about you. This is about my truth. The man in the mask is not Ethan. You've been misled, and I won't let you dictate how my life unfolds anymore."

Jenna laughed mockingly, as if the very idea of Olivia's assertion was ludicrous. "You really expect anyone to believe you? I'm living with the real Ethan. You're just living in a fantasy!"

"Jenna, you don't know who you're defending," Olivia said, desperation creeping into her voice. "He's not the man you think he is. You've got to listen to me!"

At that moment, the masked man stepped closer, watching the exchange unfold with tension in the air. 

"Who is this guy, then?" Jenna snapped, pointing at him. "Is he just some random guy you're dragging into this mess?"

The masked man remained silent, observing the scene unfold, his identity still hidden beneath the mask. 

"Yes, he is just a friend," Olivia declared, her heart racing. "But he's not here to replace anyone! He's here to support me through this madness, and I will not let you bully me into submission."

Jenna rolled her eyes, a triumphant grin on her face. "You think you can convince the world that he's just a friend? They see the way you two are together. You're clearly grasping at straws, Olivia."

Olivia took a step closer to the podium, her eyes blazing with determination. "This is my life! I'm not going to stand here and let you paint me as the villain. The masked man is

 my ally in this, and together, we will weather this storm."

"Good luck with that," Jenna scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "You're going to need it."

Just then, the masked man stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "Jenna, you don't know what you're talking about. You think you understand everything, but you don't know the full story."

Jenna blinked, momentarily taken aback. "And you are?"

"Just a friend," he replied, his voice steady. "But I'll stand by Olivia no matter what. You can try to tear her down, but she's stronger than you think."

The reporters buzzed with excitement, eagerly snapping pictures and writing notes. The tension in the room was thick, and Olivia felt a rush of adrenaline surge through her. 

"I'm done being pushed around," she declared, her voice unwavering. "I deserve to live my life on my terms, with or without your approval, Jenna."

With that, the press conference continued, but Olivia felt a newfound sense of strength and clarity. No matter how hard Jenna tried to undermine her, she was determined to take control of her narrative. 

As the questions continued to fly, Olivia couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger battle. But for now, she had her allies, her truth, and the support of the masked man beside her.

The game was on, and Olivia Carter was ready to play.