Chapter 11: Growing Divide

Kate's POV

My apartment was barely illuminated by the morning sun when the mayhem started. Outside my building, reporters had gathered, their voices resonating in a cacophonous chorus of intrusive inquiries and accusations. With my heart pounding, I watched from my window as they yelled, their cameras poised to record every action I took.

"Miss Williams! Are you helping Simon Blackwood in secret?"

"Do you deny your involvement in Blackwood Enterprises' shady deals?"

The remarks were like a kick to the stomach. The world was already blaming me before I had even gone outside. My phone was constantly buzzing with calls and messages, adding to the confusion with each one.

Even concentrating on my team's emails regarding my most recent collection felt unachievable. Vanessa quickly made her move because the reporters were so persistent.

By midday, Vanessa's hateful remarks were widely circulated by the media. She presented herself in an exclusive interview as a worried "advisor" attempting to "protect" me from Simon's alleged manipulations.

"Kate Williams has always been talented," Vanessa's voice, brimming with phoney pity, radiated from the television. However, she is impressionable and young. There is no denying Simon's impact on her. Seeing such a talented designer associated with someone with such a dubious past is heartbreaking.

With my wrath boiling, I turned off the television. She was using me as a piece in her devious game, and she was doing this to preserve herself. It was also functioning.

Once more, my phone buzzed. It was Emma this time. As soon as I picked up, she said, "Kate, you need to make a statement."

"A declaration? I paced my living room and repeated. "And what do you say, Emma? That I am being forced into a situation that I did not cause?"

"Yes," Emma said forcefully. Vanessa will take charge of the story if you don't. Already, she is portraying you as a victim. Is that what you want others to think?"

I paused. Emma was correct, but the thought of being centrestage and confronting the media made my stomach turn.

Simon hosted a press conference the next afternoon. Standing in the shadow of the mayhem he was about to face, I observed from the sidelines. As Simon took the podium, the room was crowded with reporters, all of whom had their cameras blazing.

He appeared composed and at ease, as though he had experienced this situation countless times. However, I was aware. A man attempting to save everything he had worked for was hidden beneath that cool demeanour.

Simon said, "Good afternoon," in a firm voice. "I'm here to discuss the latest accusations made against Blackwood Enterprises and myself. To be clear, the accusations against me are untrue. Even though I have made mistakes in the past, I have put a lot of effort into fixing them.

He hesitated, looking at me for a moment. My chest constricted.

With a softer tone, Simon went on, "As for my family, I won't put anyone under the bus." Even though my father did what he did, he is still a member of my family. As I try to clear my name and demonstrate my integrity, I kindly ask for your patience.

Before he could respond, the reporters jumped in and began asking questions. Simon, however, maintained his composure and refused to give in to their examination. I watched, conflicted between adoration and rage. He was protecting his family as best he could, but at what price?

Lucas arrived at my flat later that night, his face displaying a mixture of worry and annoyance.

He entered without waiting for an invitation and said, "Kate." "We must speak."

"Now what? I crossed my arms and asked.

His voice was tight as he replied, "Simon's press conference." You observed his refusal to denounce his father. How can you still defend him after that?"

"I'm not defending him," I answered hurriedly. "But I… I don't know, Lucas. This is all so complicated."

With a groan, he combed through his hair. "Kate, it's not difficult. You're being pulled down with Simon. Before it's too late, you must break off your relationship.

"And what do you do? I yelled. Can I ignore someone who might be speaking the truth?"

Lucas's mouth clenched. "He's not being honest. And I can demonstrate it.

"More proof," he added, taking out a folder and passing it to me. Contracts and emails from Simon's team directly link him to the agreements he is disputing. Kate read it. Tell me I'm mistaken, then.

My eyes skimmed the pages as I opened the folder. There was something strange about the documents, even though they were devastating. They seemed to have been carefully chosen to present Simon in the worst possible light since they were too ideal and practical.

"Where did you acquire this, Lucas? I narrowed my eyes and asked.

Is it important? He answered. "The fact that it is the truth is what counts."

Was it, though? I was beginning to worry about Lucas's increasing hostility and his demand that I leave Simon. It seemed more like control than worry.

I sat at my desk that evening with Lucas's documents arranged in front of me. Attempting to put everything together left my brain hurting, but despite my best efforts, the puzzle would not fit together.

Gerald handed me a stack of papers, which I reached for in frustration, hoping to gain some insight. I noticed something as I turned the pages: one of the sheets had a minor watermark. At first glance, it was invisible, but in the light, it was visible.

The name was L. Hayes & Co.

I gasped. Lucas's business. Why would a document associated with Simon's father include his name?

I took out my magnifying glass and took a closer look at the watermark. There was a date underneath it, one that was consistent with the agreement that had destroyed my family. The inference was terrifying. Lucas had been a part of this mess from the start, not merely an observer.

I reclined in my chair and gazed at the document while the ramifications dawned on me. Lucas's persistent efforts to discredit Simon were motivated by something other than protecting me if he had any connection to Simon's father. Was he attempting to hide his identity? Or was there a bigger scheme to overthrow Simon?

I was distracted from my thoughts as my phone buzzed on the desk. "I hope you're seeing the truth now. Let me know when you're ready to move forward without Simon," was the note that Lucas had left.

For the first time, I genuinely felt imprisoned as his comments sounded like a covert threat. The walls were closing in, and I didn't know who to trust anymore. Simon's half-truths, Lucas's manipulations, and Vanessa's schemes were all pieces of a puzzle I couldn't solve on my own.

The document's faint watermark was shimmering in the desk lamp as I turned to look at it again. The secret was this. This was the beginning of whatever Lucas was concealing. And even if it meant dissecting everything I believed to be true about Simon, Lucas, and myself, I would have to go deeper if I wanted to find the truth.