The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride (Elara and Victor) novel Chapter 32

Unmasking the Game

Unmasking the Game

+25 BONUS

Elara’s hands trembled as she set down the tablet. The vicious lies in the article had shaken her to her core, but a steely courage was beginning to form within her. She couldn’t–wouldn’t let them destroy her like this.

A soft knock on her door startled her. “Come in,” she called, quickly composing herself.

Aiden entered, his face a mask of concern. “Mrs. Blackwood! I’ve just received word from Mr. Blackwood. He’s calling an emergency press conference to address the article.“.

Elara nodded, a plan forming in her mind. “Thank you, Aiden. Please have the car ready in fifteen minutes.”

As Aiden left, Elara moved quickly, gathering her thoughts and preparing herself for what was to come.

Across town, Damian stood before a sea of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. His face was a mask of calm, but inside, he was seething with anger–at his mother, at the press, and at the situation he found himself in.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice steady and authoritative. “I stand before you today to address the baseless and malicious claims made against my wife, Elara Blackwood.”

As he spoke, defending Elara and threatening legal action against the publication, a commotion at the back of the room caught his attention. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw Elara making her way through the crowd, her head held high.

“I believe my wife would like to speak for herself,” Damian said, stepping aside as Elara took the podium.

The room fell silent as Elara faced the press, her eyes blazing with determination. “I’ve been silent for too long,” she began, her voice clear and strong. “It’s time to clear these baseless rumors.‘

>>

What followed was a masterful display of poise and eloquence as Elara systematically dismantled each false claim made against her. She spoke of her humble beginnings, her hard work, and her relationship with Damian–carefully omitting the details of

their arrangement.

As she spoke, Damian watched her with a mixture of admiration and unease. He couldn’t deny the effectiveness of her words.

. Meanwhile, in Serena’s luxurious living room, she and Veronica watched the press conference in stunned silence.

“This isn’t possible,” Serena hissed, her face contorted with rage. How dare she!”

Veronica sat frozen, her earlier confidence evaporating. “What do we do now?” she whispered.

Back at the press conference, Elara was wrapping up her statement “I am not ashamed of my past, nor will I let others use it to define my future. I am Elara Blackwood, and I stand here today, proud and unbroken.”

The room erupted in applause, and Damian found himself joining in.

As they left the conference, surrounded by security, Damian leaned in close to Elara. “That was… unexpected,” he murmured.

For a moment, Damian forgot about their contract, about his mother’s schemes, about everything except the woman standing before him. But the spell was broken as his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket.

It was a message from an unknown number: “You think you’ve won? The real game is just beginning.”

His eyes burned with rage as he read the message. He didn’t need anyone to tell him who sent it—he knew it was Daniel Regars. The same Regars his mother had teamed up with to destroy his marriage. He smirked before scrolling through his contacts and dialing Jackson’s number.

“Hello,” Jack’s voice came through as he picked up on the first ring.

“What about what I asked you, Jack?” Damian demanded, walking back to his office. His assistant quickly opened the door, and he walked in with Elara. Damian took his seat before continuing the conversation. “How is it?“,

“It’s done. The investigator was able to uncover everything dirty that Daniel did,” Jack responded, and Damian smirked. “Both

while he was in town and abroad.”

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Unmasking the Game

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