The Celeste PR Lounge buzzed with anticipation. Sleek and modern, the venue had been transformed overnight into a polished event space for the upcoming media briefing. What was originally intended as a product launch had now become something far more symbolic — a stage for power, clarity, and quiet retaliation.
Liyana Xu stood behind the glass wall in her private dressing area, adjusting the cuff of her ivory silk blouse. Her hair was slicked back into a neat twist, and the tailored pantsuit she wore, custom-designed by Celeste's elite atelier, shimmered faintly under the ambient lights. She didn't need loud colors or aggressive makeup to command a room. Her calm presence alone was enough.
Mira stepped into the room holding a sleek tablet. "Press is ready. They're speculating like wolves outside," she said grimly.
Liyana nodded. "Let them. That's what they came for."
Mira hesitated before speaking again. "There's… another article circulating. Qin's team leaked something about you and Aiden again. Twisting the photos from the engagement shoot into some kind of scandal."
Liyana gave a dry chuckle, but there was no amusement in her eyes. "Desperation smells cheap," she said. "And she reeks of it."
Mira handed her a small silver pin. "Ruoxi said this will catch the lights just right. Statement piece."
Liyana took it — a minimalist brooch shaped like a phoenix wing. She clipped it onto her lapel without a word. A reminder of what she was. What Qin could never be.
The cameras clicked rapidly as Liyana emerged onto the stage. Journalists leaned forward in their seats, each one hoping to catch a flicker of reaction, a misstep, a tremor.
She didn't give them any.
"Good afternoon," she began, her voice smooth and confident. "Thank you all for attending this press briefing. We'll begin with updates on the new Celeste initiative and move on to Q&A shortly."
The screens behind her displayed Celeste's new global expansion model, and her speech transitioned into numbers, sustainability goals, and market leadership. The room, though initially stirred by drama, couldn't help but be drawn into the elegance of her delivery.
Then came the moment.
A hand shot up — a journalist from Global Glamour Weekly. "Ms. Xu," she began, too politely, "there have been swirling rumors online about your engagement. Some claim it's a stunt. Others suggest infidelity. Would you like to comment?"
A few reporters winced at the brazenness. Others held their breath.
Liyana smiled slowly, the kind of smile that didn't quite reach the eyes. "Rumors," she repeated thoughtfully. "Interesting word. It often replaces 'truth' when people are desperate for attention."
She took a few deliberate steps forward. "Let me be clear: I do not answer to whispers behind screens. I answer to results. To this company, this legacy, and to the man I chose — not for convenience, not for business — but because he saw me long before the world did."
Her voice was steady, not theatrical, but piercing.
"And while some individuals resort to leaking doctored photos or buying articles to gain a spotlight, I build empires. I don't need someone else's shadow to shine. I am the light."
The press room was stunned into silence.
No names were spoken. No direct accusations. But everyone knew.
Mira stood in the wings, beaming with pride. Ruoxi, beside her, muttered, "And that's how a queen checks a pawn."
Later that evening, clips of the conference went viral.
#LiyanaOwnsTheMic#CelesteNotScandal#CEOQueen
Meanwhile, Qin Xieren sat frozen in her office, watching as her plan unraveled in real time. The comment sections were filled with praise for Liyana's grace and elegance, even fans of Aiden Zheng calling out the tabloids for spinning lies.
She gritted her teeth, knowing she hadn't just failed to ruin Liyana's image — she had helped fortify it.
The press wasn't questioning the engagement anymore.
They were celebrating it.
And worst of all, Damien hadn't said a word throughout this storm.
Because he didn't need to.
Liyana had handled it — and everyone else — flawlessly.