Chapter 30: Unseen Hands

Chapter 30: Unseen Hands

The fallout from the leaked dance floor photo had barely settled when another wave of media speculation surged forward—this time, far more dangerous.

Elena scrolled through her phone, her pulse quickening as she read the latest headlines.

Contract Marriage? Anonymous Insider Reveals Sinclair's Arrangement with His Wife!

Her stomach twisted. The article didn't just speculate—it outlined details dangerously close to the truth. Mentions of an "agreement," whispers of Elena's sudden appearance in Jason's life right before a major business deal, and the lack of a traditional courtship. It was crafted to plant doubt, to make people look closer. Someone wanted this rumor to stick.

Jason stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in clipped tones. Every muscle in his body radiated tension, though his face remained unreadable.

Elena studied him, trying to gauge his reaction. He wasn't just angry—he was calculating. Finding the source. Preparing to strike back.

When he ended the call, he turned to her. "Damage control is already in motion," he said, voice even. "No one can prove anything."

Elena exhaled sharply. "That's not the point, Jason. The fact that this is even a conversation is bad enough."

Jason's gaze darkened. "Whoever leaked this knew exactly what they were doing."

Elena didn't have to guess. Only someone with a vested interest in their destruction would go this far.

Victoria.

Her last words at the gala echoed in Elena's mind: You play the role well, Elena. But what happens when you no longer need him?

Jason studied her. "You have a theory."

Elena hesitated before nodding. "Victoria. She was taunting me at the gala. She wanted me to feel like an outsider in my own marriage."

Jason's expression hardened. "If she's behind this, I'll handle it."

Before Elena could respond, a knock sounded at the office door. One of Jason's assistants stepped inside. "Sir, Daniel Kensington is here. He says it's urgent."

Jason's jaw clenched.

Elena's stomach twisted. Daniel.

It had been a while since their last encounter, and his presence here was unexpected. But something about this visit didn't sit right.

Jason exhaled sharply, signaling for the assistant to let him in. When Daniel entered, his usual smirk was subdued. He didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"I was just in a meeting with some industry contacts," Daniel said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Your name came up, Sinclair."

Jason folded his arms. "What a surprise."

Daniel's gaze flicked to Elena. "Word is, someone's been digging into your marriage for months now—feeding reporters, planting doubt. The leak wasn't spontaneous. It was planned."

Elena tensed. "By who?"

Daniel exhaled. "There's no proof, but whispers point toward Victoria. She's always had an uncanny way of making sure stories reach the right ears." He shrugged. "And we both know she'd love nothing more than to see your marriage crumble."

Jason's expression darkened. "If you're here just to confirm what we already know—"

Daniel raised a hand. "Relax, Sinclair. I'm here because if this spirals, it won't just be your problem. If Victoria drags you down, she'll take half the industry's stability with her. Investors get nervous when scandals erupt."

Elena swallowed hard. The situation was bigger than just their reputations—it could impact Jason's entire business empire.

Jason's patience thinned. "If you have something solid, Kingston, speak now."

Daniel met his gaze evenly. "If it's Victoria, she may be working with other deep pockets."

The words sent a cold chill down Elena's spine.

Jason clenched his jaw. "Who?"

Daniel hesitated. "I don't have names. Yet. But the media wouldn't risk running something this dangerous unless they were getting fed by someone with deep pockets and influence."

Jason's fists tightened at his sides, but before he could speak, Daniel turned back to Elena. "Be careful, Elena. This isn't just about you and Jason anymore—someone is pulling the strings, and you're caught in the middle."

With a measured glance between them, he adjusted his cuff and strode out, the weight of his words lingering long after he was gone.

Elena turned to Jason, her pulse thrumming. "What if this is bigger than we thought?"

Jason didn't look at her at first, his fingers flexing at his sides as if weighing his next move. Then, with deliberate steps, he closed the space between them, his presence commanding and unyielding. His hands found her waist, steady yet firm, as if grounding himself in the moment. His eyes burned into hers. "Tell me, Elena." His voice was dangerously soft. "Tell me I'm wrong."

She barely had time to register the heat between them before his lips claimed hers, a forceful demand wrapped in unspoken frustration.

It wasn't careful. It wasn't calculated. It was raw, unrestrained emotion—a collision of frustration, possession, and something neither of them wanted to name.

Elena's fingers curled into his shirt before she realized what she was doing. She tore herself away, breathing hard.

"This—" she struggled to find the words, "—wasn't part of the contract."

Jason's expression was unreadable, but his grip on her lingered. "No, it wasn't."

But neither of them moved.

What happens when the lines between real and pretend blur beyond recognition?