The headline hit like a slap.
"Governor's Daughter or Gold-Digger? Billionaire's New Flame Sparks Scandal and An Ex Speaks Out."
Grace stared at the article, her face pale despite the fury boiling in her chest. There it was in bold font, twisted quotes, and perfectly curated venom. The woman named Lillian Carter Liam former fiancée, had gone to the press. The story painted Grace as a political climber using her father's position to get into Liam's bed… and eventually, his bank account.
Every insinuation was colder than the last.
She didn't even notice Maya stepping into her office until she heard her say, "You need to see this…" then stop short when she saw the screen.
"You already did," Maya murmured.
"I've been called a lot of things," Grace said flatly. "But this? This is calculated"
Maya placed a hand on her shoulder. "Want me to clear your schedule?"
"No," Grace said, standing. "I want answers."
...
The elevator ride to Vale Systems felt like a war drum beating in her ears. When the doors slid open, Liam's executive assistant jumped up, but Grace was already storming past.
" Ms Cole he's in a board meeting"
"Not anymore."
The glass door to the conference room slammed open. Liam turned, eyes widening when he saw her.
"Grace.."
She held up the tablet like it was Exhibit A in a murder trial "Tell me this isn't real."
The board members awkwardly excused themselves, filing out with eyes lowered. As soon as the door clicked shut, Liam crossed the room.
"I saw it. Lillian is desperate for attention…"
"You didn't think to warn me you were once engaged to a woman with a grudge and access to Page Six?" she snapped
"I haven't spoken to her in over two years.."
"Doesn't mean she doesn't know your weak spots," Grace cut in. "And apparently, I'm one of them now."
Liam exhaled, his tone softening. "You're not a weak spot, Grace . You're the one person I've let in."
She shook her head, fury masking the crack forming in her chest. "Then why does she know so much about us? About me"
His silence was answer enough.
"You told her," Grace said, voice low. "Or someone in your circle did. You said you were all in, Liam . You said this 'us' was real. And now I'm being crucified in the press because of 'your' past."
"I didn't leak anything. And I sure as hell didn't expect Lillian to start a media smear campaign," he said, stepping toward her. "I'm handling it."
"No , I'm handling it." Her voice was cold now. "Because this story doesn't just affect 'you' ,It affects my firm. My father. My work."
"Grace…"
She cut him off, trembling with restraint. "Do you know what it's like to spend years proving you're more than a name? That you built something real? And then 'this' , this circus reduces me to some trophy in your penthouse"
His jaw tightened. "I know exactly what this looks like, but I also know what we have is real. Don't let her poison that."
"She didn't have to." Her eyes glistened, but her voice stayed hard. "Your silence did"
A beat passed , one where he tried to reach for her, but she took a step back.
"I need space, Liam . And until you can prove that what we're building isn't just another headline…" She looked down, then back up with steel in her eyes. "Don't come looking for me."
And with that, Grace turned and walked out ,shoulders high, heels sharp, heart breaking with every step