Chapter 18%
That was the first time I’d ever said anything that harsh to Vincent. For a moment, he just stood there, stunned, unable to process the
blow.
But when the shock wore off, the tantrum kicked in. His words were venomous–insulting me, insulting Damian.
“You think Damian’s any better than me?” he spat. “The plagiarism scandal is tanking Aurum Noire’s stock price as we speak! Just wait- he’ll sacrifice you to save himself. He’ll feed you to the wolves the moment it benefits him.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” came a calm, familiar voice behind me.
I didn’t even have to turn–I knew that voice anywhere. Damian appeared at my side like some damn knight in a tailored suit, casually slipping his arm around my shoulders. His timing was always impeccable.
“But I’m not like you,” Damian said smoothly. “No matter what happens, I’ll stand by Andrea.”>
Vincent’s jaw clenched as he locked his eyes on Damian’s hand resting on my shoulder. “Get your hands off her!“>
Damian cocked an eyebrow. “And who exactly are you to make that demand? Her ex–husband? Yeah… that title doesn’t carry much weight anymore.”
The words ex–husband landed like a blade right between Vincent’s ribs. He turned to me, seething.
“Seriously Andrea? You’ve got no shame, cozying up to him right in front of me?!“}
Trolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my brain. “Who I’m close with is none of your business, Vincent. I’m my own woman.”>
Damian chuckled. “That’s right. Hell, we could kiss right here and now and it still wouldn’t be your concern.”}
Vincent’s face flushed deep red. “Don’t you dare!“>
Damian turned to me with that glint of mischief I was starting to know too well. “May I kiss you, Andrea?“}
Instead of answering, I.rose on my toes and planted a light kiss on his chin – just enough to drive Vincent absolutely insane.
Damian’s whole face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. So much for his icy CEO reputation – the man was grinning like a lovesick fool.
Vincent, meanwhile, was about to combust. “You- you—“)
He stumbled over his words, his fury tripping over itself. “You’re disgusting! Have you two been screwing behind my back this whole time?!”
Damian laughed sharply. “Unlike you, Vincent, some of us actually know how to keep it in our pants.“>
Vincent froze, chest heaving, desperate for any leverage. “So nothing happened between you two?”
I shot him a look. “Whatever’s happening between us is none of your damn business. Maybe focus on cleaning up Sable’s mess instead of obsessing over mine.”!
And with that, I grabbed Damian’s hand and pulled him inside the building.
***
Damian handed me the original design sketch. “Alright, how do you want to do this?”
I shot Darnian a sly little smile. “Have Aurum Noire’s official account release a statement. Tell everyone I’ll be addressing the plagiarism accusations tonight–live!”
Damian didn’t even blink. No questions asked, he simply nodded and made it happen.
The plagiarism scandal had been boiling online for days and the moment our announcement went public, the internet went into complete meltdown.
By the time I was sitting in front of the camera, ready to go live at 8 p.m., the waiting audience had swelled past a million.
I watched as the comment section flooded in like a damn tidal wave:
“Finally showing your face? You better say something useful.“{
“If this turns into some PR crap, I’m boycotting Aurum Noire for life.“}
“Plagiarizing bitch! Rot in hell!”
“Been following her since the prelims. She’s gorgeous and talented. Please don’t let us down, Andrea.”
The comment feed was flying so fast it looked like a blizzard on my screen. I forced myself not to look at it.”
I sat up straight, my voice calm, unwavering. “Regarding the plagiarism accusations–I want to make one thing perfectly clear: I did not plagiarize anyone.”}
“The so–called ‘original draft‘ circulating online is actually mine. It’s my design years ago.“”
The chat immediately erupted again:
“Prove it!“>
“Yeah, anyone can say that. Show us real evidence.“}
“Cut the PR crap. Either bring receipts or shut up.”
