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The makeup artist dabbed powder across my forehead, soaking up the nervous sweat that threatened to ruin her work. Through the newsroom’s glass walls, I watched the chaos unfold producers barking orders, cameras being positioned, lights adjusted to catch every detail of my carefully crafted appearance.
“Five minutes,” Sofia murmured, checking her phone. “Leo’s team is in position.”
My hands smoothed over the cream suit, its soft fabric a stark contrast to the bulletproof vest hidden beneath. The weight of the microphone pack at my waist reminded me this was real. No going back.
“Mrs. Steele?” A young producer approached, clipboard in hand. “We’ll start with your opening statement, then move to questions from our panel. Remember to look directly into camera three when-”
“She knows.” Sofia cut him off with a sharp gesture. “We’ve been through this.”
My reflection stared back from the monitor – hair swept into an elegant chignon, makeup subtle enough to suggest dignity in grief. The woman in the mirror looked composed, controlled. Inside, my stomach churned.
“Two minutes to air.” The floor director’s voice crackled through speakers.
Sofia gripped my arm. “Remember, stick to the script. Don’t let them bait you into saying more than we planned.”
I nodded, though my pulse pounded in my ears. In moments, I’d go live on national television to destroy my husband’s reputation. The evidence we’d stolen from his safe would help, but the real weapon was simpler the truth.
About the night I discovered what kind of monster wore my wedding ring.
“Thirty seconds!”
The makeup artist made one final sweep with her brush and disappeared. Studio lights blazed to life, hot against my skin. Camera operators took their positions.
“Ten seconds… five… four…”
“You don’t have to do this.” Leo appeared beside me, looking devastating in a charcoal suit. “We can find another way.”
“Yes, I do.” I caught his hand, squeezing gently. “Nathaniel’s power comes from his image. – the successful businessman, the charitable donor, the perfect husband. Time to shatter that image.”
His thumb brushed across my knuckles. “You’re remarkable, you know that?”
Before I could respond, the producer called for places. Leo pressed a kiss to my temple before taking his position off–camera. The red light blinked on, and I faced the nation.
“Good morning.” I kept my voice steady, channeling years of society training. “My name is Victoria Lane Steele, and I’m here to tell you about my husband’s crimes.”
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The cameras stared back, unblinking eyes recording every micro–expression. I pulled the first document from my folder, holding it up for Camera Three.
“This is a contract signed by Nathaniel Steele authorizing the use of force against tenants who refused to vacate the Wilson Street properties.” My finger traced the signature. “Note the date three days before the mysterious fire that killed two residents.”
I moved through the evidence methodically, each piece another nail in Nathaniel’s coffin. Bank statements showing payoffs to city officials. Emails discussing “permanent solutions” to troublesome business rivals. Photos of private meetings with known criminals.
The reporters leaned forward, hunger in their eyes. This wasn’t just another corporate scandal – this was blood in the water.
“But the worst crime,” I continued, tears glinting in my eyes, “was what he did to my father. Richard Lane didn’t die of a heart attack. He was murdered on my husband’s orders, because he refused to participate in these illegal schemes.”
I pulled out the final document – my father’s real autopsy report, obtained through Leo’s connections. The medical examiner’s signature was clear, as were the words “evidence of poisoning.”
The room erupted. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted questions. Through it all, I kept my eyes on Camera Three, remembering Sofia’s coaching. Let them see the grief, the betrayal, but also the strength.
A movement caught my eye – Leo shifting position, his hand touching his earpiece. Something was wrong. His face remained carefully neutral, but I saw the tension in his jaw.
Behind the cameras, Sofia’s phone lit up. She read the message, then shot Leo a sharp look. Nathaniel was making his move.
The cameras whirred, hungry for every word. I held up my hand, the motion precise and controlled just as Sofia had drilled into me. “I have copies of all supporting documents for the media and law enforcement. But there’s one more thing.”
Rising from my chair, I smoothed my jacket deliberately over my small bump. The whispers started immediately, camera flashes intensifying. The room crackled with electric tension.
“I’m carrying Nathaniel’s child. And a few days ago, I overheard him planning to force a miscarriage to maintain control of my father’s estate.” My voice broke perfectly. “That’s when I realized the man I married is a monster.”
The room erupted. Questions flew from all directions, microphones thrust forward like weapons. I kept my spine straight, my expression a careful blend of vulnerability and strength. Every gesture calculated for maximum impact.
“Mrs. Steele!” A reporter in the front row jumped to his feet. “Are the rumors true about your relationship with Leonardo Rossi?”
From the corner of my eye, I caught Leo’s subtle shift. This wasn’t part of our carefully
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constructed plan. But looking at the sea of eager faces before me, I saw an opportunity.
“Leonardo Rossi saved my life.” I met Leo’s gaze across the room, letting genuine emotion color my words. “When I discovered what Nathaniel had done, Leo provided protection, support, and proof of my husband’s crimes. He’s a legitimate businessman who saw injustice and chose. to help.” Turning back to face the cameras, I lifted my chin.
“Any attempt to smear his reputation is simply my husband trying to silence those who
know the truth.”
The
press conference dissolved into chaos as security rushed us toward the exit. Camera flashes exploded like lightning, reporters shouting questions that blurred into white noise. Leo’s hand pressed firm against my lower back, guiding me through the mob while Sofia cleared our
path.
My phone vibrated non–stop in my clutch – notifications flooding in as the story caught fire.
A quick glance showed #JusticeForRichard Lane climbing Twitter’s trending list. Major networks were already running breaking news banners.
The moment we reached Leo’s armored SUV, he pulled me into his arms. “You were
amazing.” His breath tickled my ear. “But that last part – about us –
Nathaniel will see it as a declaration of war.”
–
it puts you at risk.
“Good.” I met his gaze without flinching. “Because that’s exactly what it was.”
A dangerous laugh rumbled in his chest. “God, I love you.”
The words hung in the air between us – the first time he’d said them outright. My heart stuttered, but before I could respond, Sofia’s voice crackled through the car’s speaker system.
“We’ve got incoming. Multiple vehicles, heavily armed. They’re not even trying to be subtle
anymore.”
Leo’s expression hardened as he pulled out his phone. “Time to show Nathaniel what real war looks like. His fingers flew across the screen. “Call in everyone. Full tactical response.”
I reached for his free hand, threading our fingers together. “Together?”
His dark eyes met mine, fierce and protective. “Together.”
