The First Blow

Ariana's Choice

Ariana sat across from Damian in his office, her fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood of his desk. The weight of the scandal hung between them like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Damian, on the other hand, looked entirely unbothered.

"Vincent's team is handling the legal side," he said, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "But we need to hit back publicly."

Ariana exhaled sharply. "A press conference?"

Damian nodded. "It's the only way to kill the story before it spreads further."

Ariana hated this. She had spent her entire career staying out of the limelight,letting her work speak for itself. Now, she was being dragged into a public battle she never wanted.

But there was no running.

Not when Callum was willing to burn everything to ruin her.

Her gaze met Damian's. "Fine. But we do it my way."

A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Now that's the woman I married."

Ariana ignored the warmth spreading through her chest. "I'll draft my statement."

Damian leaned forward. "Don't hold back."

She didn't plan to.

---

The Press Conference

The room was packed. Cameras flashed. Reporters murmured amongst themselves, eager for the scandal of the year.

Ariana sat beside Damian, her back straight, her expression unreadable.

Vincent stood first, addressing the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, the allegations against Mrs. Kingsley are baseless. We will be taking legal action against all false claims."

A reporter shot up. "Then why haven't you denied them outright?"

Ariana took the mic. "Because I don't have to defend myself against lies."

The room went silent.

She continued, her voice steady. "For those who think they can use fabricated evidence to discredit me—let this be a warning. I will not stand down. I will not be intimidated."

Damian watched her, the ghost of a smirk on his lips.

Another reporter stood. "So you're saying this is a setup?"

Damian finally spoke, his voice cold and commanding.

"What I'm saying," he said smoothly, "is that Kingsley Corporation does not tolerate attacks on its own. Whoever is responsible for this"—his gaze darkened—"will pay the price."

Ariana could feel the shift in the room.

Damian had just declared war.

And Callum?

He had no idea what was coming for him.

---

Callum's Panic

Callum Reed sat in his office, watching the press conference unfold on his screen.

He gritted his teeth.

He had expected Ariana to crumble. To run.

Instead, she stood beside Damian Kingsley, unshaken. Untouchable.

His phone rang.

An unknown number.

He answered. "Who is this?"

A low chuckle. "You're not as smart as you think, Callum."

His stomach dropped. "Damian."

"I hope you enjoyed your little stunt," Damian continued, voice smooth. "Because now? It's my turn."

The line went dead.

And for the first time in his life—

Callum Reed felt fear.

---

To Be Continued…