**Chapter 14: The Rival’s Conspiracy**

The aftermath of Lucas's disastrous blind date left Ellie in the midst of feeling relief and anxiety. She was glad her date did not go well, but the cloud of tension hovering around Lucas's family did not let her feel comfortable.She, however, did not have time to think about it.A week later, the work started piling up. Lucas was more demanding than ever and the underlying tension was still persistent.One day Ellie was organising Lucas's calendar when Clara came around her desk.'Miss White,' she said. 'Mr. Hunter would like a word with you in his office.'Ellie's heart raced a bit, but she nodded and followed Clara to Lucas's office.Lucas was already waiting at his desk, looking quite stormy.'Miss White' he said. 'Take a seat.'Ellie clasped her hands on her lap nervously."We have a problem." He stated coolly after assessing her for a moment."What's wrong?" Ellie said, trying her best to stay calm."Your history is being scrutinised by our competitors," he said in an ice-cold manner."They've uncovered some rather... sensitive details!"If Ellie's heart had been any heavier, she would have collapsed right there. She forced herself to remain calm. "What kind of details?"

He retrieved a new folder and placed it on the desk in front of her.

With trembling fingers, she turned the pages. Ellie was a prominent lawyer, and her extensive sample board of her achievements did most of the work for her.

Some were photoshopped while others were simply fabricated or very old documents for which there was no real evidence to prove them authentic.

Next to them were pictures of her drunk and looking out of control at parties. There were stacks of documents alongside these pictures that indicated she had partaken in a scandal during her previous employment.

What was untold was the picture that did the most damage. Of her alongside a man the world knew to be a criminal.

Now, Ellie could feel an unusual tightening of her chest as she read the captions.

**"Ellie White: The Truth Behind the Facade"**

**"The Assistant turned Scandal: The Underbelly of Lucas Hunter's Right-Hand Woman"**

**"Is This The Final Cut For The Hunter Fashion Group?"**

Elated, she placed the folder down. Hands alight with excitement, Ellie smirked and rolled her eyes. "This… this is all feelings, not facts."

"I understand," Lucas replied, his voice unwavering. "But the headline has already run. The competition was quick before we could trouble to rectify the narrative."

Ellie felt overwhelmed in an almost pleasant way. Everything had finally started making sense. "How do we combat the competition?"

He leaned closer, confining the distance between them to one collar's breadth, through his pupils he crystallised her. "You don't because there isn't any."

"We fight back." "我们会反击."

Her eyes went wide, and her thoughts were balled up. "Of course Mr. Hunter. I'll do whatever I can to clear my name and defend the company."

After contemplating her words, Hansen spoke. "Legal action will be brought against anyone who makes such defamatory claims."

Ellie nodded her head, already brimming with original thoughts. "We need to capture information that contradicts the statement. I have people who will stand up for me."

He nodded, sounding like he had already made up his mind on something. Remaining silent, he waved his hand to her as if he was dismissing her.

Angry and flustered, Ellie stepped out of the office. There was no way people should suffer like this.

But she would never let this defeat her.

She was tougher than that.

Work and tension had enveloped the rest of the day, but despite everything, Ellie was determined to stay concentrated.

Even though she knew that her competitors had a set image of her, there was something that was out of control and that was the way she reacted.

And rise above it she would, without a doubt.

Ellie felt exhausted, but there was some relief when the clock struck Friday afternoon.

The week was a blur and she was ready to move on.

While she was gathering her belongings, Lucas summoned her to the office once more. 

"Miss White," he said, keeping his tone flat. 

Ellie entered, her heart pounding. "Yes, Mr. Hunter?" 

He took his time looking at her. His face revealed nothing. "You've managed the situation... satisfactorily this week." 

Ellie blinked, her brain struggling to comprehend how to respond. "Thank you, Mr. Hunter." 

He simply nodded and waved his hand, signalling for her to leave. 

When Ellie exited the office, she couldn't help but smile. 

It wasn't praise per se, but at least it was something, and it was better than everything else she had heard from him this week. 

That was all she was looking for at the moment. 

She had completed her tasks and endured the conspiracy of the rival. 

And she was expecting everything that followed without hesitation.