Too Late For Regrets, Mr. Billionaire (Brianna Meyers and Brandon Levy) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

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The jewelry contest results dropped, and Brianna’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing with notifications.

She didn’t finish sorting through the messages until nearly noon.

The organizers had sent an email congratulating her on the gold award. The ceremony was set for ten days out, with the full agenda and a party invite attached.

As she gazed at her screen, a wave of pure happiness washed over her.

Just then, Patsy pinged her a link. Tapping it opened Darcy’s social media profile, where she’d reposted the official award announcement with the caption: [Congrats, Brianna! So proud of you!]

Brianna just rolled her eyes.

She scrolled through Darcy’s feed post by post, nothing but food shares, gorgeous scenery snaps, or her super–dedicated work selfies.

From the content alone, you’d swear she was some sweet, innocent flower.

She accidentally tapped “back to top” and caught a brand–new post from Darcy.

It was a shot from the company’s launch day, captioned: [Totally obsessed with Brianna’s designs. Gotta have them all!]

Fans jumped in right away.

[You would slay in those.]

[Her sister’s a boss too. Sisters killing it!]

[Whoa, time to treat myself in support of you.]

Brianna smirked. She thought, ‘How does a person like that even build a fanbase?‘

Back on the main feed, the top trend was her. [Rising Jewelry Star Brianna’s Vibe is Next–Level!]

Clicking in revealed a nine–image grid: her award scoop, shots of her pieces, and the bottom row from her Dexter Gems runway finale.

Brianna browsed the comments, almost all rave reviews.

[Gorgeous and talented, obsessed!]

[Vibe check: perfect. Debut when?]

[Owns that cool, aloof elegance.]

Brianna grinned. No girl wouldn’t glow from praise like that.

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Chapter 31

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She grabbed lunch with her team, all laughs and chatter, until one colleague scrolled her phone and froze, looking unsure.

“What’s wrong?” Brianna asked, picking up on the vibe.

The colleague hesitated, eyes shifting, then passed over the phone.

Blazing across social media: [Jewelry Design Contest Gold Winner is Mrs. Levy.]

As she dived in, some random blogger dished: Gold medalist Brianna was hitched to Brandon, head of Levy Group, and just kicked off her jewelry line “Horizon Group” recently.

Brianna scanned the comments, pure venom.

[Fed up with these elites hogging everything from us normies!]

[Butterfly theme for gold? Yeah, right, total rigged!]

[No shock an unknown lands Dexter Gems‘ big closer, money talks.]

[She’s okay–looking, I guess, kinda meh!]

[Hate her guts. Boycott Horizon Group.]

Brianna shut the tab, returned the phone, and flashed a casual smile. “Drama’s par for the course. Don’t worry about it.”

Her team went quiet, focusing on their food while stealing glances at Brianna.

Brianna played it cool, no big reaction.

One was a veteran she’d pulled from Levy Group’s PR team. “Ms. Meyers, should we spin some PR?”

They knew the drill for flipping online hate.

“It’s targeting my connections, likely pros pulling strings. Responding now would just amp up the buzz.” Brianna brainstormed countermeasures in her head.

“So we sit tight?”

“Gimme a sec to think.” Brianna clammed up, polished off her meal, and strolled back to the office with

everyone.

At her desk, panic started creeping in. She thought, ‘Who set this trap? How to clap back? How to flip the script?‘ The questions looped endlessly.

Before she could brainstorm a plan, her phone rang, Tristan.

“Hey, seen the social storm? Hang in there. I’ve got a PR agency on it to scrub the trends. Online’s brutal; don’t let it get to you.” Worry colored Tristan’s tone.

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Chapter 31

She said, “I’m fine, really, no sweat.”

“I won’t let that poster slide,” Tristan seethed.

“Don’t go vigilante. You’re not the mafia. It’s just web noise,” Brianna joked lightly.

“Think it’s Darcy?”

“No idea. I’ll sort it.”

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Soon after hanging up, Clair rang, mentioning he’d mobilized his firm’s PR squad to cool things down.

That perked Brianna up a bit. Tough spots like this? Friends rallying around really warmed the heart.

As the workday wound down, Patsy rushed back in.

She’d been tied up all day. Catching the trending chaos that afternoon had her in a panic; she hustled through her stuff and bolted over.

As she dropped into the seat across from Brianna, her face was pure concern. “You okay?”

Brianna said, “Yeah, holding up.”

“I mulled it over this afternoon. Let’s hit it two ways: flood with bots to bury the trend, and lawyer up to sue the leaker for fake insider BS. Sound good?” Patsy was all business, always packing a punch.

“Their hook is me playing the elite card. A legal threat now? I’d come off even more arrogant and turn folks off harder.” Brianna rested her chin in her hand, musing.

“Then what’s our move? You’ve got that eight–hour sweet spot for crises. We can’t just watch it snowball.”

“I wanna drop the pregnancy bomb publicly,” Brianna said.

“What?” Patsy’s eyes went wide. “You think the internet’s like public transit, where everyone yields for the old, sick, or pregnant?”

“No way!” Brianna chuckled. “I’m thinking of pitching a media outlet for a documentary–style interview, dive into my design philosophy and share some personal bits from my life.”

She figured giving up a sliver of privacy to let people really see who she was could work wonders; sincerity always cut through the noise. Her goal was to craft an inspiring story of a woman evolving from stay–at–home mom to business owner.

“But you’re dead set on divorce, right? Announcing the pregnancy, won’t that stir up even more drama?”

“That’s what’s bugging me.” Brianna’s eyes glazed over as she absentmindedly nibbled her nails, a telltale sign of her stress.

“Let’s mull it over. In the meantime, I’ll line up someone to squash that trend.

“No point, I’ve already looped in PR.”

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“Come on, stewing here won’t do any good. Let’s step out and clear our minds.”

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“Sounds good. Sun’s dipping low anyway. Fancy a walk in the wetland park? I’ve been skimping on exercise big time.”

Patsy could tell she was down, so she brainstormed distractions to lift her spirits.

They stepped out of the office and made their way to the park entrance. Late autumn dusk had the sunset splashing gold across the sky, while a brisk wind nipped at them with its chill.

After more than half an hour of strolling, their muscles warmed up, and the combo of twilight and fresh air left them feeling rejuvenated.

On the way back, they bumped straight into Whitney and Blanca.

The pair were kitted out in athletic wear and sneakers, the epitome of a cozy older couple enjoying a joint workout.

It grated on Brianna, so she averted her gaze, intending to walk right past without a word.

“Brianna, you two getting some exercise too?” Blanca smirked slyly, blocking their path.

“Brianna, I caught that trending mess this afternoon. Want me to step in?” Whitney asked, his concern all show.

Brianna said, “Just keep your distance. That’s all I need.”

“Hey, what’s your deal, kid? You know the saying: you don’t appreciate your parents until you’re one yourself. You’re a mom now. That’s how you talk to your father?” Blanca needled.

“Exactly, becoming a parent opens your eyes. Now I see just how much my mom endured!” Brianna fixed Blanca with an icy glare.

“Brianna, Blanca meant no offense. We were just chatting about getting Darcy to connect you with a PR team.” Whitney jumped in to defend her.

“Yeah, online crowds are brutal these days. Once they label you a backdoor winner, your company’s done for.” Blanca’s glee peeked through.

“Oh yeah? Darcy got roasted online as a chronic liar last time, and she’s still grinding in entertainment. Web drama’s fickle. One day you’re trending, the next you’re yesterday’s news,” Patsy shot back sarcastically.

“That’s not the same! What could she possibly measure up to Darcy?” Blanca dropped any pretense of civility.

“Blanca, Brianna’s never bothered comparing herself to Darcy from the start, and she sure as hell won’t now!” Patsy snarled, her expression laced with threat.

Blanca had despised Patsy for ages. Hearing lately that the Sampson family was spiraling downward, she ditched the niceties.

She said, “You’ve been trailing after Brianna like a puppy since you were little. Bet you were playing the long

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Chapter 31

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