Media Storm

Chapter 11

George 

My heart thudded so hard it felt like it might punch through my ribs. I drew in a deep breath, trying to steady myself despite the storm burning in my chest.

“What’s the development?” I asked, my voice low but tense, barely able to hold back the panic brewing in my mind.

Zach’s voice crackled through the line, strained and uneven. “The media team…” He paused, like the next words physically hurt to say. “They’ve started circulating scandalous photos from Alice’s past with Thomas. It’s everywhere. Headlines, blogs… and now the world is calling her a gold digger. Her entire reputation is hanging by a thread.”

A cold chill ran through me. My jaw clenched. I gripped the phone firmer, my knuckles white. “No. This can’t be happening,” I muttered, trying to stay calm. “Prepare the…”

Before I could continue, a voice echoed through the air, cutting me off.

“George!”

I spun around… and there she was. Alice, charging towards me like a storm let loose from the sky. Her breathing was ragged, her hair a mess, sweat trickling down her panicked face. She stopped right in front of me and shoved her phone into my hand, her chest heaving.

“Thomas is trying to ruin me,” she choked out. “The Aurora Luxe board… NYC branch… They've called an emergency meeting. George, I’m screwed.”

“Hey, breathe. Calm down,” I said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder as I looked down at the phone.

And there it was. Every word she said… it was indeed true. The headlines were everywhere.

“Alice: Aurora Luxe’s CEO or Thomas’s golddigger wife?”

“Exposed: Alice used her ex-husband’s money to build her empire.”

“Gold digger CEO? Board in uproar after scandal resurfaces.”

Then the comments hit.

“She’s just been using Thomas from the start.”  

“I always knew she was trouble the moment I saw her.”  

“Classic manipulator. Sleeping her way to the top.”  

“She tore a father and son apart… now she’s playing victim.”

My stomach twisted. Alice stood there, trembling, trying hard not to cry… but I saw it. The pain leaking through the cracks of her eyes.

“Mr. Brooks? Are you still there?” Zach’s voice snapped back in my ear, and I realized the call was still connected.

I pressed the phone to my ear. “Zach, I’ll call you back. I have something to handle.”

“Okay, but…”

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I ended the call at once.

Turning back to Alice, I placed both hands gently on her shoulders and let her lean into me. Her head rested against mine, fragile… shaking slightly.

“Listen to me,” I said quietly. “This isn’t the end. I’ll fix this. You hear me? You don’t have to bear this alone.”

She looked up at me, her eyes red and brimming with unshed tears, searching my face like she wanted to believe me, but she was still unsure. After a moment, she gave a small nod and wiped her face with the back of her hand.

“Come here,” I whispered, pulling her closer into my arms.

Then I glanced over at Maria who was still standing there behind us. “I’ll be with you soon. Just make yourself comfortable until then.”

She nodded quietly, watching as we made our way back to the sitting room.

Leo was still there… sitting in the exact spot I had left him, like a statue waiting to move. The moment he saw us, his eyes lit up, and he jumped off the couch, running straight towards us.

He wrapped his small arms around Alice’s legs.  

“Mommy? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“Oh, baby…” Alice steadied her breath, quickly dabbing the last of her tears away before lifting him into her arms. “Mommy’s okay. I just have a quick meeting to attend, alright?”

Leo looked between the two of us, his brows drawn in confusion. I bent slightly and ruffled his curls gently.

“Hey, buddy, your mom’s got a lot going on right now, okay? The butler’s going to take care of you while we’re out. Be good for now, alright?”

He gave a small nod, though his eyes still burned with worry. Alice kissed his forehead and gently set him back on the couch.

“Okay, sweetheart. We’ll be back soon.”

Without looking back, she turned and headed upstairs.

I followed behind her, dashing straight into my room. After a quick shower, I threw on the first suit I could find, brushed my hair neatly, and slid on the jacket. Just as I stepped out into the hallway, Alice burst out from her room too.

She paused at her doorway. Our eyes met… and we just stood there, staring at each other like two lovers lost in a trance.

Her expression was a mix of worry, anger, and maybe fear. It was written all over her face, the tension high in her shoulders.

“We’re running out of time, Alice. Let’s go,” I called suddenly, as I began to race down the hallway.

When we arrived at the Aurora Luxe headquarters, the tension hit me like a punch. Board members glared the moment we walked in. Some leaned into each other, whispering, while others threw sharp, judgmental looks in our direction.

“Well, well… if it isn’t the golddigger of the moment,” a cold voice cut through the silence.

I turned towards the sound… and froze.

Standing at the end of the table was Nolan. My executive assistant. My trusted confidant at Apex Capital.

What the hell was he doing here?

“Nolan?” I muttered, stunned. “What are you doing at Aurora Luxe?”

He stepped forward with a smug smile, his lips pressed into a thin, hard line. “Shouldn’t the better question be… why are you housing your father’s scandal-ridden wife in your mansion, Mr. Brooks?”

“Watch your mouth, Nolan!”

“Or what?” he snapped, his tone sharp and defiant. “You planning to throw punches in front of the entire board, Mr. CEO?”

My jaw tightened, anger boiling under my skin. But then, I felt Alice’s hand slip into mine… soothing me in the most unimaginable way. I glanced down at her tear-streaked face. Her eyes were pleading with me to keep it together.

And it worked.

My anger suddenly disappeared. I forced a faint smile and eased into the seat beside her.

But before I could fully settle, an older man with silver hair turned toward me, his expression stiff. “I'm sorry, Mr. Brooks, but you have no place in this meeting. This concerns Aurora Luxe. We don't allow outsiders to interfere.”

“Outsider?” I echoed, stunned, the word hitting like thunder. I whipped my head towards Nolan, rage crawling back into my veins. “Then what’s this nitwit doing here? Don’t tell me he’s suddenly part of Aurora Luxe too.”

Another board member… a woman this time… stood up. Her face was unreadable. “If you must know, Mr. Cross is now the head of internal investigations for the Aurora Luxe NYC branch.”

“What?!” Alice and I exclaimed in unison.

Alice surged forward to speak, but I gently pulled her back into her seat. “Not yet,” I whispered.

But things only got worse.

The woman turned to face the room, her voice calm but mean. “We’re not here to create conflict,” she said, her eyes scanning each board member. Quiet nods and murmurs followed from every corner.

She continued, her voice dropping to a cold whisper. “We’re here for one reason only… to question Miss Cooper about the rumors flying around.” She whipped her sharp gaze towards Alice. “Is it true you seduced Thomas for his money?”

The words exploded like a blow in my chest. The room fell silent.