Chapter 4

Elena's POV

I clicked the hashtag, and a series of crystal-clear paparazzi photos filled my screen.

They had been taken three months ago outside a high-profile charity gala. Ethan had gotten completely wasted, and I had helped him into the back of his car. The camera angles had been chosen with sinister precision—it looked as though I was throwing myself into his arms, clinging desperately to his waist while he leaned away, seemingly repulsed by my advances.

The accompanying gossip article was pure slander: "Sterling Enterprises CEO loyally waited three years for his first love, while his executive assistant actively seduced him in an attempt to claw her way into high society. Now that his true fiancée has returned, will this gold-digging secretary finally pack her bags?"

The comment section already had tens of thousands of replies, filled with vile, vicious attacks.

"Why hasn't this homewrecker been fired yet? Mr. Sterling is way too nice."

"I feel so bad for Nicole Vance. Imagine coming back to the country just to deal with a disgusting parasite like this."

A wave of ice washed through my veins. The only people who had access to those photos were the few senior executives and security personnel who had been there that night. There was no way this had leaked online by accident. This was a targeted, premeditated smear campaign.

Before I could even process what was happening, the double doors of the executive suite were slammed open.

Nicole came running out, her eyes rimmed with red, tears streaming down her flawless cheeks. Ethan followed closely behind her, his face dark enough to summon a storm.

"Ethan, I don't understand... I just got back. Why would anyone do this to me?" Nicole sobbed, covering her face with her hands. "The entire internet is laughing at me! They're saying I can't even keep my own man, that I'm being walked all over by an assistant..."

Ethan pulled her into his chest with practiced tenderness, gently rubbing her back to soothe her. But when he turned his gaze toward me, his eyes were like frozen daggers.

"Elena. In my office. Now."

The heavy oak doors slammed shut behind us.

Ethan stood behind his sprawling mahogany desk, looking down at me with pure, unadulterated revulsion. "Did you leak those photos to the press?"

The accusation was so ridiculous I almost laughed out loud. I was being torn to shreds by thousands of strangers online, branded a whore, and he had the audacity to ask if I leaked them myself?

"Mr. Sterling, do you honestly think I have a humiliation kink? Why on earth would I leak photos just to get myself publicly crucified?" I clenched my fists until my nails bit painfully into my palms.

"Who else would keep photos like that?" Ethan sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "Did you think Nicole's return meant your time was up, so you tried to use public pressure to force my hand? You disgust me, Elena."

Nicole sat on the designer leather sofa, dabbing at her eyes with a silk handkerchief as she sniffled. "Elena, I know you stayed by Ethan's side for three years. I know it's hard to let go. But... Ethan and I are legally married. How could you stoop this low just to ruin his reputation?"

Legally married.

A searing, tearing agony ripped through my chest. Looking at Nicole’s fragile, victimized act, I felt a wave of profound nausea wash over me.

"Nicole, you and I both know exactly who went running to the press," I said coldly, fixing her with a hard stare. "Do you want me to pull the IP logs and trace the wire transfers?"

"What are you talking about?" Nicole whimpered, shrinking further into Ethan's side. "Ethan, look at her... she's still trying to frame me..."

I took a deep breath, pulled my cracked phone from my pocket, opened several verified tabs, and held it out toward him. "Mr. Sterling, see for yourself. The initial smear articles were published at the exact same second across multiple gossip outlets—it's clearly a paid hit piece. The security footage from the garage—"

"Enough."

Ethan didn't even glance at my screen. With a violent flick of his wrist, he slapped the phone out of my hand. It crashed against the solid wooden corner of the desk, the glass fracturing into a spiderweb of sharp cracks before hitting the floor.

He looked at me, his voice devoid of any warmth. "I trust Nicole."

Those three words dropped me straight into the depths of hell.

No evidence needed. No explanation heard. Simply because it was Nicole, everything she said was gospel. And simply because it was me, I didn't even have the right to defend myself.

I stared down at the shattered glass on the floor, and a faint, hollow smile touched my lips. It was a pale, desolate smile, carrying the chilling finality of someone whose soul had just been extinguished.

"Fine. You trust her," I whispered, closing my eyes to block out the last light in my world. "Believe whatever you want."

I turned on my heel to walk away, but Ethan’s frigid voice cut through the air behind me.

"Did I give you permission to leave? You think you can commit an act like this and walk away without facing the consequences?"