All Chapters of Dating The Wrong Brother: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Chapter 21 Lana – POV For the first time since arriving at Hale Industries, I feel like I’m walking into a battlefield. The boardroom confrontation from yesterday spread through the company faster than wildfire. By the time I reach the executive floor, the atmosphere is noticeably different. People whisper. Assistants glance at me with curiosity. Some executives suddenly avoid eye contact. Great. Exactly what I needed. I set my bag down and open my laptop, determined to focus on work. If Selene thinks she can scare me away, she’s going to be disappointed. My phone buzzes. Daniel: Coffee? You look like you need it. Despite everything, I smile slightly. Me: Desperately. A few minutes later Daniel knocks on my office door, holding two cups of coffee. “Peace offering,” he says. “You’re a lifesaver.” He sits across from me and studies my face. “You’re handling this better than most people would.” “I don’t have much choice.” “That’s true.” Daniel takes a sip of his co

Chapter 23 Lana – POV By the afternoon, it becomes clear that Selene has changed her strategy. She’s no longer attacking openly. Now she’s working quietly. Which somehow feels worse. Three meetings are suddenly canceled. Two department heads refuse to approve the restructuring plan without “further review.” And the financial analysis I prepared this morning is delayed by yet another “technical issue.” I sit in my office staring at my laptop. Selene isn’t trying to destroy me immediately. She’s trying to wear me down. Slowly. Methodically. My phone buzzes. Daniel: You still alive in there? I sigh and reply. Me: Barely. A few seconds later, Daniel appears in the doorway. “You look like you need fresh air,” he says. “That obvious?” “Yes.” He walks inside and sits across from my desk. “Selene’s been busy today.” “I noticed.” Daniel leans back. “She’s organizing the investors’ gala tonight.” “The gala?” “Yes.” “The entire executive team will be there.” “That s

Chapter 25 Lana – POV The moment Ethan starts walking toward the center of the ballroom, my heart begins pounding. Fast. Hard. Dangerously. “Daniel,” I whisper. “What is he doing?” Daniel watches his brother with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “That,” he says slowly, “is a very good question.” The music fades as Ethan approaches the small stage where the investors have been giving speeches all evening. Several conversations around the room begin to quiet. Because when the CEO of Hale Industries walks toward the stage unexpectedly… People pay attention. Ethan picks up the microphone. “Good evening.” The entire ballroom falls silent. Investors. Executives. Board members. Everyone is watching him now. Including Selene. She stands near the front of the room, her expression calm but tense. She didn’t expect this. Neither did I. Ethan continues. “I know tonight was meant to be a celebration for our investors.” “And it still will be.” “But first, I’d like to

Chapter 27 Lana – POV The boardroom is already full when I arrive. Executives. Board members. Legal advisors. Everyone is here. And the tension in the room is almost suffocating. This isn’t a normal meeting. This is a battlefield. Daniel stands near the window, speaking quietly with two board members. When he sees me enter, his expression tightens slightly. “Hey,” he says, walking over. “You came.” “I wasn’t invited,” I reply. “But apparently I’m the reason for the meeting.” Daniel sighs. “Selene made sure the board wanted you here.” “Wonderful.” “Just stay calm,” he says. “That’s the plan.” Across the room, Selene sits at the long conference table, flipping through a folder of documents. She looks perfectly composed. Like she’s about to present a winning case. My stomach tightens. Then the doors open again. Ethan walks in. The entire room quiets immediately. It’s impossible not to notice him. He walks to the head of the table and sets a folder down calmly

Chapter 29 Lana – POV The first sign that something is wrong comes the next morning. My phone starts ringing before I even leave the hotel. Unknown numbers. Again and again. I ignore the first three calls. By the fourth, I finally answer. “Hello?” “Ms. Vale?” The voice belongs to a reporter. My stomach tightens immediately. “Yes?” “We’re calling regarding your relationship with Ethan Hale.” My heart drops. “I’m sorry?” “We’ve received information suggesting you’re involved in a personal relationship with the CEO of Hale Industries.” There it is. Selene finally played her biggest card. “I have no comment,” I say calmly. The reporter continues. “Some sources claim your restructuring contract may have been influenced by that relationship.” “I said I have no comment.” I hang up. But the damage is already done. When I open my phone again, the notifications start flooding in. News alerts. Financial blogs. Corporate gossip sites. One headline catches my attention