CH 11

When Enzo left his brother's office to get a drink, he didn't expect the sight that awaited him. It was the lunch break already but the office seemed a bit more rowdier than usual. Such excitement only happened when the company received a raise, or a big contract, but neither of the two had happened. It could only be one thing then - there was big news.

He glanced at Irina beside him, "Irina, don't you think that something is up with everyone today?"

"I think they look just fine to me," Irina said, stirring her coffee with a frown.

"Don't tell me that you're still annoyed over what happened? You know how Damian is. Don't take it to heart,"

"Of course not. I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired,"

Enzo was about to probe further when someone walked over to their table. It was the head of human resources department, Lucy Chen.

"Lucy," he called, "what’s got everyone so worked up?"

Lucy chuckled, pulling out her phone. "You haven’t seen the blog post?"

"What blog post?" Irina asked, her interest piqued.

Lucy handed her phone to Enzo.

It was a viral post featuring the shocking image of a young woman leaving a disheveled hotel room. The headline screamed scandal, but Enzo was unimpressed at first.

"These things happen all the time," he said dismissively, scrolling through the article. It turned out the woman's engagement had just been announced.

Lucy smirked. "Not when it’s the Hudson family. You know them—they’re quite influential."

"Can I see?" Irina asked, her tone oddly urgent.

Lucy handed her the phone. Irina’s eyes darted across the screen, her expression darkening as she scrolled further. Suddenly, she handed the phone back.

"I need to step out," she said abruptly, standing up and leaving without another word.

Enzo, confused, opened the blog post on his phone for a closer look. His stomach sank.

The hotel room’s number in the video was visible. It was Damian's suite.

But the real shock came when he recognized the woman. Ivelle, the woman everyone believed had died in the crash that claimed her parents years ago. The article referred to her as Ivelle Hudson. Was it just a coincidence and perhaps she was really Gabriele’s daughter? Maybe, given the family connection.

But the resemblance was uncanny. Too uncanny.

What was she doing with Damian?

"Excuse me," he said hurriedly, as he walked away from the cafeteria.

When he got to Damian’s office, he heard Irina talking to Damian.

"Sir, I think you need to see this,"

"Show me,"

Enzo nodded at her and she walked forward, showing their boss her phone.

Damian raised an eyebrow at the post and the pictures. He wondered who could have taken the pictures. From the angle it was taken, it seemed like it was extracted from a cctv footage.

"Irina contact Stefan immediately and have him tell you what he intends to do about the situation."

"I'll do that," she replied before closing the door.

Arian rushed into the office, "Damian, have you seen.."

"Yes, I've seen it. It'll be handled. Enzo, speak to our media department immediately. I want to know who published this article. The blog and the company that owns it should cease to exist before tomorrow,"

"Noted," Enzo said before leaving.

"As for you Arian, I have a slightly different task for you."

"The post has been out there for too long, it has already circulated. There are even rumours that it is you in the video because of the tattoo on your wrist."

"That's expected. Leave the rumours. But make sure the pictures are taken care of. This issue will be sorted out soon,"

"Use the image to search up Ivelle. It'll make your investigation faster. I want to know why she was at that hotel and who drugged her,"

"Of course,"

Arian left soon after and the door to Damian’s office was knocked again,

"What is it?"

"I've done as you said. Mr Stefan said he's on it already. The original blog post has been deleted. He's taking care of the other media companies that posted their version of the first blog,"

"Alright then. Thanks for the report. You can leave now,"

"Actually, sir," Damian raised his head to listen to her speak.

"About the gala, I was thinking we should do something different. Instead of asking Bancaro events to plan the event as usual, why don't we try something new? Their style is a bit monotonous. I know this company and I think we should try working with them for a change. The Luxe Affair, that's the name of the company,"

"Why do you like to get ahead of yourself?"

"But-"

"Is it difficult to just do as you are told? You can leave now,"

"Yes sir," Irina said with a tight smile, her heels clicking behind her, as Enzo walked in after her.

"Wow brother, I never knew you could keep such a thing from me. So Ivelle is still alive..and you knew? Did two of you have an affair? How long had this been going on? What-" Enzo stopped when he felt his brother's cool gaze on him.

"I only met her yesterday. She stumbled into my room."

"How is that even possible?"

"It seemed like....she was drugged."

"This sounds like a typical romance novel trope,"

"Is that so?" Damian said, raising an eyebrow at his brother.

"Of course not. It just sounds a bit...farfetched, don't you think? Isn't she supposed to be dead?"

"I'll look into it. It's none of your business,"

"Tell me brother, did you two...have an affair? The state she left the hotel was quite..." before he could complete his statement Damian shoved a pile of documents at him.

"Instead of snooping around other people's business, why don't you go back to your office and look through these contracts that were submitted?"

"The fact that you are avoiding the question means something did happen. Hmm, brother?" Enzo smiled, giving him a teasing grin.

Damian ignored him focusing on the pile of files before him that needed signing. That was the trouble that came with owning most of the shares in the company. Every decision needed to get his signature to be approved. And it had been this way since he graduated top of his class in business school, when his grandfather handed him the business after his father's death.

From the single massive company it was, he had expanded it into a conglomerate, having ventured into other profitable areas.

His brother had always given him great support, but his words did more harm than good sometimes.

Enzo blinked, then burst out laughing. "Oh, come on. Stumbled? You expect me to believe that? Damian, this sounds like the opening of one of those romance novels Irina secretly reads during lunch breaks."

"I don’t care what it sounds like," Damian said, his tone glacial. "I’m telling you what happened."

Enzo leaned forward, his expression suddenly serious. "Look, I’m not trying to pry—okay, maybe I am—but this is a big deal. She’s supposed to be dead, Damian. And now she’s all over the internet with you. Don’t you think it’s worth, I don’t know, sharing some details with your deputy head who might have to help clean up the mess?"

Damian’s icy stare didn’t waver. "You’ll have what you need when you need it. Until then, focus on your actual responsibilities."

Enzo sighed dramatically, rising to his feet. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets, oh mighty CEO."

Damian’s expression didn’t change, but the faintest twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement.

As Enzo reached the door, he glanced back over his shoulder. "By the way, next time you decide to ‘handle’ a scandal, maybe warn your deputy first? I hate being the last to know."

"Out, Enzo."

Enzo grinned. "As you wish, boss." He slipped out, leaving Damian to brood in peace.

'Ivelle Hudson' he thought, 'why did she change her last name?'

The whole thing was unlikely to be an accident. Somehow she ended up in his room and soon after pictures were everywhere. Some netizens had even zoomed in on the picture to view the man’s hands, the hint of a tattoo and his signature ring was enough for the audience to guess who it was.

Instead of worrying, he would just sit and wait for Arian to gather the information that he got.