Chapter 3: The Confrontation

(Jane's POV)

I should have walked away the moment I spotted the security guards. They were colossal. Arms crossed, faces blank like statues. 

But nope. Not today. 

Today… I was done. 

Done with tears. Done running. Done with my world crumbling over a man I didn’t even know. 

So I pressed on. 

“Ma’am, you can’t just….” 

“I can,” I retorted, brushing past the guard. “And I will.” 

The Martin Global lobby felt like a different realm ,glassy floors, ornate plants, and air conditioning that seemed to breathe wealth. Silently, people in suits gawked as I strode toward the elevator, fueled by an overwhelming determination. 

Someone murmured, “Isn’t that the mistress girl from…” 

I shut my eyes. Not here. Not showing weakness. 

By the time I hit the 40th floor, my hands quivered not from fear, but from rage. 

I loathed him. 

I hated him deeply for what he had done to my life. 

And I was ready to confront him. 

The receptionist shot up with a jolt. “Miss, you can’t,Mr. Martins is…he’s in a meeting!” 

“Great,” I replied. “Let him throw me out himself.” 

Before she could intervene, I flung the glass door open. 

And there he was. 

William Martins, chill, sharp, and infuriatingly attractive as if he didn’t have a care in the world. 

Our eyes locked, and he halted. 

Not shocked at all. Just annoyed. Like I was a pesky fly. 

“Jane Mark,” he said, his voice slow. “What the hell are you doing here?” 

That was it. I saw red. 

“You ruined my life,that’s what I’m here for!” 

His eyebrows shot up. “I ruined…..?” 

“YES!” I yelled. “I woke up today with my face splashed across every gossip site! Your fans labeling me a slut! I lost my job! My landlord kicked me out! Thanks to you, I have nothing!” 

His jaw clenched. “I didn’t take that picture.” 

“I know! But your team didn’t deny it! You let everyone think I’m your mistress!” 

His eyes narrowed. “What did you want me to do? The media was already on it before I….” 

“....You’re a billionaire!” I interrupted. “You could have stopped it in a heartbeat!” 

He stared back at me, the silence stretching for what felt like eternity. Then he sighed, looking away and clicking his pen. 

“Sit down.” 

“No.” 

“Jane…..” 

“Don’t ‘Jane’ me.” 

Another sigh, deeper this time. He leaned back, his chest rising steadily. 

“You think I wanted this mess?” he spoke softly. “You think I like waking up to see headlines branding me a liar? A cheater?” 

“No,” I replied, “but at least people aren’t calling you a mistress as they pass you on the street. At least you still have a job.” 

That stung, and he turned his gaze downward. 

We remained there, just standing. Breathing. Angry. Exhausted. 

Then, the door swung wide open. 

“Sir, sorry…emergency!” his PR manager announced, waving a tablet like it was on fire. 

William snatched it… and his expression soured significantly. 

I moved closer, heartbeat racing. “What happened?” 

He angled the screen toward me. 

A new headline blared: 

“MARTINS’S SECRET LOVER EXPOSED. MORE PHOTOS LEAK.” 

I gasped. More photos. Every angle. Edited for maximum damage. 

Someone was out to get us on purpose. 

William cursed softly, an edge of anger in his voice. 

He looked at me, and suddenly his tone shifted. Less frigid. More strategic. 

“This won’t blow over,” he said. “Not by itself.” 

I gulped. “So what’s the plan?” 

He didn’t blink. No hesitation. 

“We take charge of the story.” 

“What does that mean….” 

“Jane,” he interrupted, his voice calming yet firm. “The only way to quell this scandal… is by joining forces.” 

My heart dropped. 

Work… together? 

“With you?” I whispered, disbelief washing over me. “After everything you’ve done?” 

He leaned forward, eyes boring into mine. 

“Trust me,” he murmured, “you’re going to need my help more than you realize.” 

The room felt suddenly constricted. 

Then he dropped the bombshell that turned my stomach to stone. 

“There’s only one drastic move that can end this scandal.” 

I stared at him, puzzled. 

“What move?” I asked softly. 

He exhaled slowly, measuring his words. 

“Make the world believe we’re together.”

My hands turned icy, and I felt the air vanish from my

lungs.  

“You can’t be serious.”  

“I truly am.”  

He didn’t even flinch.  

In that moment…  

My normal life came to a halt once more.