Chapter 4 Framed

When I woke up, I saw dozens upon dozens of missed calls from my assistant. While I had been unconscious, Noah had rushed to convene an emergency board meeting at Justice Corp., pushing for my removal as chairwoman.

Fury drove me; I slammed my foot on the gas, and ten minutes later I was shoving open the doors to the conference room.

Noah faltered at the sight of me, though he quickly masked his surprise with a look of concern. "Mila, the weather's cold. Don't catch a chill."

I ignored him and addressed the room. "Whoever is trying to remove me, I don't agree!"

A low, mocking laugh came from my stepmother, Cynthia Kingstone. "Mila, your temper has been worsening. You throw tantrums, smash things—you're clearly unfit to remain in your position."

Her words dredged up a memory I had nearly forgotten.

Months ago, I had stumbled upon Cynthia and Noah speaking secretly in the garden. I remembered seeing her slip him a card while the two of them whispered like conspirators. At the time, he had brushed it off, claiming it was nothing more than "pocket money" from an elder. Now I understood—they had been working together all along.

Suddenly, Noah's voice boomed from the microphone. "Everyone, please, quiet down. I have a video I'd like you all to see—my wife Mila's true state these past days."

The screen behind him lit up. There I was, screaming in the living room, face twisted with hysteria as I hurled a bowl of bone broth to the floor. Every frame had been carefully edited, leaving only the worst moments, painting me as nothing but a deranged lunatic.

Gasps rippled across the room. Cynthia dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, weeping softly at just the right moment.

I locked my gaze on Noah, my heart like ice. He met my eyes with a look of feigned anguish. What a brilliant actor he was.

As soon as the video ended, a man in a white coat entered the room. "I'm Dr. Leeds from the state psychiatric hospital. Based on my evaluation, Ms. Justice is experiencing an acute episode of bipolar disorder with violent tendencies. She must be placed under immediate isolation and treatment."

Noah's eyes brimmed with tears. "My wife's mental state has been unstable due to personal family reasons, and it's begun to affect company operations severely. For the sake of protecting what we've all built together, I propose suspending Mila's position as chairwoman and allowing me to act in her stead until this crisis is resolved. Gentlemen—for Mila's sake, and for everyone's safety, this is the only choice."

His loyal allies on the board chimed in at once.

"Mr. Carter is right. Stabilizing the situation comes first!"

"You should focus on your health, Ms. Justice. That matters most."

Before I could speak, the doors burst open again. A storm of flashing lights engulfed the room as a flood of reporters swarmed inside.

Noah put on an expression of grief so convincing it nearly made me laugh. "Fellow reporters, this pains me deeply."

He brushed past me and led them forward, playing his role to perfection. "My wife… She hasn't been able to conceive, and it has taken a toll on her mind."

Several microphones and recorders shot up in my face.

"Ms. Justice, is it true you've developed a mental illness because of infertility?"

"Mr. Carter claims you've been violent at home—breaking things, even attacking him. Is that true?"

"How can shareholders trust Justice Corp. in the hands of someone unstable?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but Noah seized my wrist before I could utter a word. Turning toward the cameras, his voice cracked as his eyes reddened. "Don't be afraid, Mila. I'll take you to the best hospital right away."

The performance was flawless. To the world, he was a devoted husband bearing unbearable pain for his fragile wife. And me? I stood there in nothing but thin pajamas, hair in disarray, my face ghostly pale.

Before I knew it, he had dragged me out, shoving me into a van bound for the psychiatric hospital.