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Chapter 1 Moving Out As Brianna Meyers headed upstairs, she spotted Kendra Levy with both hands clutched in front of her, sneaking into the study like a little thief. Brianna stayed quiet, documents in hand, and followed suit toward the study. Before she could even cross the threshold, she caught her daughter Kendra's childish voice, hushed low. "Dad, this is the gift I got for Darcy. Hide it for me, don't let Mom see." With that, Kendra fished a large box out from under her clothes. At six years old, she was pure innocence, convinced she could fool anyone. When Brianna walked in, Brandon Levy shot her a quick glance before looking away, the box dangling blatantly from his hand. Feeling guilty, Kendra cozied up to her dad Brandon, turning on the charm on purpose. "Mom, we'll bring you something back from Drokvine. What do you want?" Brianna just smiled, not the least bit fazed. "All I want is for you to have fun, sweetie. Enjoy yourself and mind your dad." She stepped closer, tousled Kendra's hair, then turned and passed the documents to Brandon. He eyed the cover without a flicker of change in his expression. It was the usual drill. With Kendra around, no matter how much he loathed her, he'd keep things civil. Brianna ignored it, grabbing Kendra's hand and guiding her out of the room. "Did you double-check your luggage? Remember everything I told you? You've got to start taking care of yourself." Her voice drifted back from the hallway. He thought it sounded off but shrugged it away. Glancing at the file in his grip, a divorce agreement. A cold sneer curled his lip. He didn't even crack it open, just jerked a drawer wide and chucked it in. The drawer was crammed a foot deep with similar agreements she'd dumped on him before. It was her signature move, one she'd trotted out endlessly over the last seven years. They'd covered everything from threats to terminate the pregnancy to demands that he forfeit custody and walk away penniless. Brandon had evolved from rage to wry amusement to barely glancing at them now, but she kept it up, tireless as ever. Each time, before he could put pen to paper, she'd dissolve into sobs, pleading with him, vowing she'd never go through with a divorce. As she handed over another one as leverage now, it was clear she knew the true reason behind this father-daughter jaunt to Drokvine. Brandon furrowed his brow. He thought she'd likely kick up a storm before they even left, just to vent. Irritated by the thought, he strode out of the study. He couldn't care less if she flipped out, but not in front of Kendra. Kendra was his absolute limit. Downstairs, Brianna was stuffing a jacket and water bottle into Kendra's backpack. Brandon halted a couple of steps back, hands shoved in his pockets, his face a blank slate of indifference. He braced for her to send Kendra off so she could tear into him. The agreement was delivered; next up would be branding him a scumbag and swearing she'd leave for good. Spotting him downstairs, Brianna took Kendra's hand and made for the door. On the way, she fired off a string of last-minute reminders. Kendra was antsy but bit her lip, knowing departure was imminent. The assistant hauled the luggage into the car. Brianna helped Kendra climb in and ran through one final checklist. "Baby, Dad's going to be tied up, so behave and do what he says. If anything happens, call me right away." She sealed it with a kiss on her forehead. Brandon lingered nearby. Brianna turned to him, her face serene and steady. "The regular meds are in her pink suitcase, labeled clearly, easy to spot." Brandon gave a noncommittal grunt. The pair fell silent. After an awkward beat, Brianna offered a small smile. "Better get going." Brandon blinked, caught off balance. He thought, 'That is all?' He didn't linger on her vibe, though. Relieved by the quiet, he pivoted and slid into the car. Perhaps it was that instinctive pull a daughter feels toward her mom, but Kendra cranked down the window. "Mom, next study trip, we'll take you for sure. Bye, Mom." "Bye, sweetie!" Brianna smiled thinly, head cocked, waving farewell. The instant the car pulled away, she spun on her heel and went back inside. She had work to do. Staring at Brianna's receding back, Brandon felt a flicker of surprise. No blowup, no meltdown, no rage-fueled scene, not even sticking around to watch them go. It was as casual as waving off a casual acquaintance. She was always either fawning over him desperately or flying into a rage, her eyes filled with raw, unwavering affection. But just moments ago, her stare had been as lifeless as a stagnant pond, remote and utterly detached. It threw him off. He spaced out for a second, then shrugged it away with cool indifference. This was actually perfect. He needed a wife, sure, but not her love. He felt nothing for Brianna. Without that freak accident years ago, marriage would've never crossed his mind. He'd never given her a second glance. Later, word got around that the whole thing might've been her scheme; she'd slipped him something because she'd been pining for him in secret for ages. That revelation only ramped up his disgust. Eventually, even that wore off, replaced by sheer apathy. As the car rolled out, Kendra chimed in with bubbly excitement, "Dad, can we see Darcy tonight?" "We've got a layover in Enslens. Won't hit Gurphis until tomorrow afternoon." Kendra scrunched up her face in a pout. "Dad, Darcy mentioned three shows, and once they're done, she'll take me touring all over Drokvine. You'll join us, right?" "I've got work stuff to deal with. I'll do my best!" Another pout. "Dad, you like Darcy, and she likes you. Come on, let's all go together!" Kendra thought, 'If only Mom liked Darcy too. But Mom always blows up whenever Darcy is around, even trying to stop me from hanging out with Darcy. Why doesn't Mom like her? 'Darcy is gorgeous, super talented, and always so kind to me. Mom is just being mean!' The mention of his sister-in-law Darcy Meyers left Brandon looking awkward. Out of nowhere, he grabbed his phone and wired 3 million dollars to Brianna. Back in the villa, Brianna was sorting through her art studio. There was a knock from the housekeeper. "Mrs. Levy, what do you fancy for dinner? Take a break. Vanessa can tidy up later." "No thanks. I'll handle it. Some of this stuff needs to go in the trash." "Well, dinner then?" "Doesn't matter." Brianna didn't bother looking up. The housekeeper assumed she was in a foul mood and wisely backed off without a word. From afternoon straight through to evening, Brianna tackled the art studio, then the coffee room, study, and bedroom, doing it all solo, no help needed. When the housekeeper dropped off her milk later, she nearly did a double-take: boxes everywhere, all packed up like a full-on move was underway. It was well past midnight by the time Brianna wrapped up, showered, and stepped out to eye her neatly prepped luggage. A wave of contentment washed over her. Checking the time, Kendra ought to be in Enslens now. That marathon flight had to be rough on a kid. Still, she thought, 'Catching Darcy's performance would make any hassle feel worth it, wouldn't it?' Brianna let out a rueful chuckle to herself. With the divorce set in stone and no plans to contest custody, she figured it was best to just let them be. She flicked off the light and drifted into a heavy sleep. Next day: Saturday. First thing in the morning, Patsy Sampson pulled up at Brianna's. Spotting the housekeeper, she flashed a megawatt grin, her tone over-the-top. "Ah, Anne! Ages since I saw you!" Anne said, "Ms. Sampson, long time indeed. Breakfast yet?" Patsy was buzzing with energy. "Nah! I held out for the Brandon special. Come on, rustle up his priciest grub. I'm here to indulge." Anne Zamora's lip quirked. Brianna burst out laughing at the display. "You're incorrigible." Post-breakfast, the moving van showed up. Brianna rounded up Anne and her husband to haul the bags aboard. The butler scratched his head, confused. "Mrs. Levy, where to?" "Brandon's in the loop." Brianna kept it at that, no more details. The butler gave a nod. He thought, 'Another ploy to rattle the cage, maybe?' Shifting from the city's south end to the north wrapped up by afternoon, once everything was unpacked and in place. This villa was a college gift from her mom Trina Harper. But fresh out of school, those messes hit, and she'd latched onto Brandon like a lifeline in her confusion. They'd shacked up at the Levy family before the ink was dry on the marriage papers. Now, as she gazed at the spotless rooms under the glow of the lights, it finally had that cozy, home-sweet-home vibe. Patsy whipped out her phone, snapped some pics of the setup, and tossed them up on her feed: [Cheers to my bestie ditching the drama!] Chapter 2 Her Resignation The day after moving in, Brianna wrapped up organizing her study and studio. With everything laid out exactly to her taste, she felt a real lift in her spirits. It was shaping up perfectly, just missing a touch of life. She'd always pictured her home overflowing with plants, like a cozy little jungle; that was her dream aesthetic. But in Brandon's villa, even a minor tweak would get shot down with "Mr. Levy wouldn't approve." Now, though? She didn't have to worry about anyone else's preferences. She'd just done a quick once-over and was about to step out when her phone buzzed. It was Brandon's grandma Josefina Levy. "Brianna, got any plans today?" Josefina asked. "Nope, Josefina, what's up?" "Then swing by for dinner. Everyone is on their way. We're having a proper family get-together tonight." Hearing her mother-in-law Gabrielle Levy would be there made Brianna massage her temples on reflex, but she couldn't say no to Josefina. She bit the bullet and agreed. In the Levy family, only Josefina and Brandon's younger twin siblings showed her any real warmth, and only Josefina truly thought she was worthy of him. She drove over to the Levy manor. Everyone had pulled up ahead of time. When Brianna strolled in solo, Gabrielle's face clouded over right away. "Where's Brandon and Kendra? Why are you flying solo?" "Kendra's off on that study trip in Drokvine, and he had some work stuff there anyway, so he tagged along." Gabrielle's expression soured, a hint of irritation flaring. She said, "Brandon's buried in work. How's he got time to play nanny? You never think about your husband, and now you're slacking on your own kid too? You're twiddling your thumbs all day; why didn't you go with them?" 'I would've loved to, but would they have wanted me there?' Brianna thought, though she kept it to herself. "Exactly! You're the most hands-off mom I've ever seen," her sister-in-law, Margo Levy, chimed in snidely. Back in the day, Brianna would've jumped through hoops explaining how vital Brandon and Kendra were to her, then sulked and killed the mood entirely. But now, she had zero interest in justifying herself. She just flashed a smile, nodded, and replied, "Fair point, Gabrielle. Won't happen again." Then she sidestepped them both and made a beeline for Josefina, diving into chit-chat with her and the others. Noticing the brush-off without any pushback, Gabrielle and Margo swapped surprised looks. Josefina and Brianna's grandmother were thick as thieves, lifelong pals who'd weathered hard times together back when bonds were straightforward and true. If you hit it off, it stuck for good. Even before that whole fiasco, Josefina had been rooting for Brianna to join the family as Brandon's wife. She hadn't seen it coming when the two young ones sparked things up on their own. Of course, she was over the moon and handled the wedding personally. But as the years ticked by, it was obvious Brandon and Brianna weren't clicking. They looked like an ideal match, sharp guy, stunning girl. So she wondered, 'What is the hang-up?' Brianna was solid gold; her steadfast love for Brandon hadn't escaped notice. But he was ice-cold. Josefina thought, 'What on earth is his gripe?' "You're too much of a pushover with Brandon! A woman needs to lay down the law sometimes, keep her guy in line." Josefina gave Brianna's hand a frustrated pat. She just smiled it off. She thought, 'The divorce news? Better let him spill that himself.' Over dinner, it was all mundane family chatter. Brianna ate quietly, only speaking up when spoken to, no more bending over backward to please. Gabrielle caught Margo's eye. "Probably stewing over them dashing off to Drokvine for Darcy's gig," Margo murmured with gleeful malice. Gabrielle shot her a withering stare, then whispered, "Darcy's in Drokvine now?" Margo threw Brianna a derisive glance. "Yep, it's her show, and Brandon and the kid are falling all over themselves to catch it." "Outrageous!" Gabrielle's face darkened. Still, she couldn't stomach scolding Brandon, so she pinned it all on the Meyers family side. "What's with those Meyers family girls, can't find their own men? Why keep foisting them on Brandon?" She spat it out, still fuming, and shot Brianna a vicious glare. "What an idiot. Her mom couldn't hold onto her man, got stolen by some old hag, and now her own husband's about to get swiped by a young vixen?" Even if she despised Brianna, at least Brianna had a clean pedigree. She thought, 'How could that trashy illegitimate kid ever be good enough for Brandon?' Margo's schadenfreude was even more obvious now. "Mom, stay out of it. It's their family mess. Let them sort it out." "As if I'd bother with her crap? If it didn't involve Brandon, I wouldn't touch their dirty laundry with a ten-foot pole." Brianna looked up, catching Gabrielle's full-on fury head-on. She blinked, thinking, 'What is she raging about this time?' But she just offered a gentle smile and shrugged it off. Back from the manor, Josefina had loaded her up with a pile of gifts. Brianna tossed them carelessly onto the coffee table. Fresh out of the shower and curled up on the sofa, she scrolled through her tablet, scrutinizing her design drafts. Those shelved dreams? Time to dust them off and get moving. Monday rolled around, and Brianna headed to the Levy Group HQ, Area A, 23rd floor. "Morning, Ms. Meyers!" Colleagues greeted her one by one. Once Kendra started kindergarten, Brianna had pleaded with Josefina for a spot at the Levy Group, just to stay closer to Brandon. He'd been totally against it, but Josefina twisted his arm, so he threw up his hands and let it be. Brianna had aimed to start from the ground up, but Margo, clocking that submissive wifey vibe and Brandon's clear irritation, decided to mess with her. She tricked Brianna into thinking she couldn't embarrass the big-shot Brandon, so they cooked up a brand-new department just for her: the Propaganda Division. Every other department head was a "manager", but hers? "Director". The oddball title made Brianna the butt of the company's behind-the-scenes jokes. It screamed "special treatment", and everyone knew exactly what flavor of "special" that meant. The division was supposed to handle group promotions, per the name. But there was already a slick PR powerhouse managing corporate image. Even knowing the score back then, Brianna had hustled hard, hoping one day Brandon might actually see her value. Now? It was past time to end this farce. She gathered her team, broke it down simply, and promised her staff that even if the department folded, no jobs would be cut. "Ms. Meyers, things are going great, why quit now?" "Yeah, Ms. Meyers, we're on a roll. Why stop?" She said, "It's personal. Thanks for all the hard work over the years." "Personal? Ms. Meyers, you prepping for baby number two or something?" She said, "Nah, don't read into it. I'll go submit my resignation first." She handed her notice to HR. The manager adjusted his glasses, unsure how to proceed. "Ms. Meyers, you're mid-level management. I need to clear this with the president's office." "Sure, follow the process." She turned and headed back to her office. Meanwhile, the HR manager snagged the form and zipped up to the executive suite on the top floor, handing it off to the chief of staff. This guy was Brandon's inner-circle trusty; over the years, he'd seen every ploy Brianna used to grab Brandon's attention, from fake threats to over-the-top dramatics. He thought, 'Is this just another setup to wave divorce in his face?' But the veteran was always buttoned-up. He said he'd check with Brandon and sent the HR guy packing. Checking the time, just after 9 p.m. in Drokvine, he dialed the number. "Mr. Levy, Mrs. Levy submitted her resignation today." Brandon said, "Whatever she wants." The other end was buzzing, like a fancy party in full swing. Since he and Kendra had split, Brianna hadn't called once. He'd even thought maybe she'd finally burned out and was ready for some quiet domestic bliss. He thought, 'Guess I've overestimated her! If she wants to kick up a fuss, go ahead. Using a resignation as blackmail? Does she seriously think she matters that much?' Chapter 3 The Birthday Party Over the next week, Brianna sliced through the bureaucracy, handling her work handover without waiting for her resignation to get approved. By Friday afternoon, she'd packed her stuff and walked out the door. It wasn't about flouting the rules. Brandon was still in Drokvine, and holding off would mean dragging things out for another month or more. After squandering seven years, she'd finally woken up. She wasn't wasting another second. As she headed down with her box in hand, she bumped right into Margo. Margo eyed her suspiciously, a touch of caution in her tone. "What's all this?" "Quitting." Brianna beamed, her smile as bright as the sunshine pouring in from outside the building. Margo sneered. "Does your big-shot hubby know?" She clearly had some issues with Brandon, but Brianna couldn't care less. "HR must've looped him in." He'd never given a damn about her business anyway. If anything, he'd probably be relieved to see her gone. Margo smirked, obviously gearing up for some fireworks, but she bit her tongue and sauntered off. Brianna hauled her box outside, pulled out of the underground garage, and drove into sunlight so intense it made her squint. Suddenly, her spirits lifted. She really ought to get more sun. It had a way of brightening everything up. That weekend, she kicked off her search for a studio. She'd majored in jewelry design in college and done a master's in historical artifact appraisal. Her big dream had always been starting a luxury jewelry brand. Now, it was time to chase it again, step by step. Top priority: finding the right workspace. A few places fell flat, so Patsy nudged her to hit up Tristan Pratt. She thought, 'Of course, how have I spaced on Tristan, the ultimate property mogul?' She rang him, and his warm, playful voice came through. "Hey there, gorgeous! What prompted this call?" Tristan had this infectious energy that could cheer anyone up; just his voice chased away half the clouds in Brianna's mind. "You around? Got something to ask, coffee?" He said, "For you? Always. Where? I'll swing by and grab you. I'm close to your office. Be there in ten to pick you up." Tristan, Brianna, and Patsy were old childhood friends. As grown-ups, Brianna had tied the knot and started a family early, Patsy launched her venture, and Tristan jumped into the family biz. Life got hectic, and they'd drifted apart a bit. When Brianna arrived, Tristan was already waiting curbside. Sharp slacks, crisp white shirt, Hermès belt, polished to a tee. With his wide eyes, strong nose, and slim lips, he exuded sunny vibes and boundless energy. Brianna kept it straightforward: she was diving into jewelry design and needed a studio spot. He said, "Piece of cake! I've got a building in Moonlight Breeze Town sitting empty. Scenic spot, lakeside, and a quick hop to the shopping area, ideal for a studio." "I've heard of it. Isn't that the one you earmarked for your own setup?" "Yep, saved it for moi. But you're such a underachiever, hitting your thirties without a 'real' gig, and me? I'm a sucker for loyalty." Brianna burst out laughing and fired back that she wasn't some stay-at-home stereotype. "Oh, right, does your better half sign off on you going solo?" Tristan mentioned Brandon with obvious distaste, though he reined it in. "We're divorcing." Brianna said it casually, taking a sip of coffee like it was small talk. "Oh?" Tristan's eyes bugged out as he leaned forward. "You're really pulling the plug?" "Yep, can't afford to waste any more time." She gave a resigned shrug. No drama, no tears. Tristan scanned her face until he was convinced she meant it, then ditched the banter and got real. "Seriously?" "Dead serious." "High time. That eternal poker face, only you could've stuck it out this long. I never thought he was in your league. Girl, you were bullheaded, leaping right into that mess..." Tristan went off, venting all his bottled-up beef with Brandon in a nonstop rant. The studio spot was killer, with killer views of the lake and wetlands from the office. Brianna was thrilled. She brainstormed reno ideas with the designer, picked out materials, and wrapped each day wiped out but totally content. It was just at nightfall, when she was solo at home, that doubt crept in. Any mom would fret over her child. Brianna pushed it down hard. All these days, she hadn't reached out to Kendra once. In those early days, thoughts of Kendra tore at her heart. She fretted over whether Kendra was eating or sleeping properly, and if Brandon could really take good care of her. Bit by bit, though, she started to let go. Kids grew up one way or another; smother them too much, and they'd drift away from you. Meanwhile, back at the hotel after the party, Kendra clutched her phone, a wave of sadness washing over her. The lavender fields in Eighburgh were breathtaking and magical, the estate soirée utterly romantic. She'd had the time of her life. Darcy had looked like a true princess in her pale purple gown. She'd even set aside a matching lilac princess dress for her, topped with a crystal crown, and encouraged her to make a wish. It was all perfect... except Brianna wasn't part of it. She thought, 'If only Mom could be as stunning as Darcy.' She longed for Brianna to be radiant and blissful, just like a fairy-tale princess. But Brianna only ever nagged and controlled her. Her friends at school were forever boasting about how great their relatives were and how tight their moms were with them. Darcy was incredible, but Brianna couldn't stand her. She just didn't get why Brianna kept her distance from Darcy. She thought, 'Could it be jealousy over how beautiful she is?' It had been two weeks on the road with Brandon; at first, she'd been anxious about Brianna calling and finding out she was there to visit Darcy. No calls came, and she'd felt a secret rush of relief. But now, with so much time passed and still nothing, she missed her terribly. Brandon stepped out of the bathroom and caught sight of Kendra's sulky pout. "What's wrong, my little princess?" "Dad, did Mom ever call?" She was hoping she'd dozed off and missed it. "Nope." "Dad, I'm done with all the fun. I want to go home." "All right, we will." Brandon was baffled too; since word of Brianna's resignation, she'd gone radio silent. Kendra was her everything; usually, the minute they hit the road, her endless stream of calls would start, more annoying than spam. This time? Not a peep. The puzzlement lasted only a second before he shoved it aside. A silent wife was exactly what he'd always wanted. Once he'd wrapped up his tasks—Kendra long since tucked in and snoring—he was slipping into bed when his phone buzzed. He furrowed his brow, thinking, 'Who the hell is calling this late?' It was the chief of staff. "Mr. Levy, domestic social media's blowing up with stories about you." He asked, "What kind?" "You and Kendra at that Eighburgh birthday bash, pics of you two, but her face is mosaiced out." "Oh?" He thought, 'Private party, how did the photos get out?' "Some spin it as a family vacation celebration with your wife and daughter," the director hesitated, sounding guilty, "others say it's you spoiling your side piece and love child..." Brandon couldn't care less; he thought, 'Is this worth dragging me out of bed?' "Have PR handle it." "Mr. Levy, they've been scrubbing posts left and right, but it's endless. Hired shills too, but it's just fanning the flames. The hashtags are off the charts." Brandon's patience thinned; he'd dealt with plenty of tabloid trash before, like alleged hookups with A-list actresses, and PR had always squashed it quick. He said, "What's the problem? They've nailed it every other time." The director paused awkwardly. "All your prior messes were cleaned up by Mrs. Levy's propaganda team." "Then loop her in!" "Mr. Levy, Mrs. Levy's already left the company." He went still. Seconds later, he barked at the director. This was peanuts, and if they couldn't manage it, the whole damn team could pack up and go. After hanging up, he stared into space, his expression darkening. He fired up social media, and yep, the trends were dominated by him. [Levy Group CEO Jets Abroad for Family Birthday Bash], [Levy Group CEO Lavishes Eighburgh Party on Mistress and Illegit Kid], and [Levy Group CEO: Ultimate Douchebag!] with that "viral" badge blazing. Brandon reached to loosen his tie on instinct, then remembered he was in PJs. A listed company's CEO going viral could be a boon, keeping the brand front and center. But a leader's rep was the company's rep; bad press needed savvy damage control, or stocks could take a nosedive. Public backlash might not kill the firm, but chipping away at credibility? That was no good. A flicker of annoyance hit Brandon; he hadn't pegged Brianna's little propaganda squad as actually competent. Chapter 4 Scumbag On Trending List Brandon got home with Kendra a little after 3 a.m. She'd conked out on his shoulder, so he carefully tucked her into bed before quietly slipping back to the master bedroom. Usually, no matter how late he rolled in, Brianna would hop up to help him strip off his clothes and draw a bath. Tonight? Dead silence. She was probably even more steamed after catching wind of the news. It was way too late, so out of politeness, he skipped the lights and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up. Only after he was done and slid under the covers did he notice the bed was completely empty. Brandon didn't bat an eye and drifted off into a heavy sleep. Come noon the next day, he dragged himself downstairs. The nanny was keeping Kendra entertained, but there was no sign of Brianna. "Dad, where's Mom? Why didn't she fix me breakfast?" Kendra had gotten up early and figured Brianna was hanging with Brandon, so she hadn't bothered checking. Now, with just him showing up, she felt totally slighted. Brandon shot a look at the butler. The butler blinked in surprise. "Right after you two left, Mrs. Levy took off the next day. She mentioned you were in the know." She thought, 'What?' Brandon thought, 'What?' He shrugged it off, assuming she was just pouting and pulling some new stunt. "Where'd Mom go?" Kendra turned to the butler. "I... honestly don't know." "I want Mom! I need her right now!" She threw a full-on tantrum. Brandon said, "Just give her a call and find out." Something about this felt different. Brandon furrowed his brow ever so slightly as he lifted Kendra and plopped her down at the table. Kendra hit dial, and it rang for ages before connecting. The line was chaotic, like she was at a job site. Kendra said, "Mom, we're home! Where are you?" Brianna said, "Oh, back already? Have a blast, baby?" "Totally! Dad and I picked out a gift for you. When are you heading back?" "Uh..." Brianna paused, hating the idea of breaking it to Kendra that she wasn't coming home. "Mom, it's super noisy there. Where exactly are you?" "I am dealing with some stuff right now, so I can't make it back just yet. Be good for me, okay?" "No way! I want Mom, now!" Kendra started bawling again. Brianna's head pounded. "Fine, fine, I'll swing by this afternoon. Dry those tears." The promise of her return cheered Kendra right up. Brandon eavesdropped, a seed of suspicion sprouting. He thought, 'Trouble with her grandma or uncle? Or is this some cat-and-mouse game?' Back in the office, Brandon exuded a bone-chilling vibe that could give anyone frostbite. Two whole days, and [Levy Group CEO: Total Scumbag] was still dominating the trends. Normally, crap like this got nuked in under thirty minutes. Hell, some scandals even got spun into glowing publicity. The chief of staff, PR manager, and lead assistant perched in his office, barely breathing. The PR manager laid out how the storm had brewed. He said, "It started with those leaked overseas birthday snaps, some traction, but nothing huge. Then outlets ran with [CEO celebrates abroad with wife and kid], and the tone was all positive. "But soon after, a handful of major influencers hinted the woman wasn't your wife, and the media jumped in, pulling up Mrs. Levy's pics for side-by-sides. "And from there... it just exploded." His voice faded to a whisper. Deep down, he felt hard done by. He thought, 'As the married CEO of the group, can't the guy keep things buttoned up?' "On the bright side, the leaked shots are all profiles or obscured faces, no solid ID on anyone," the assistant added. Brandon sat there with a poker face, not uttering a word. The chief of staff piped up with fixes, rattling off ideas. "We've boiled it down to two plays. One: get Mrs. Levy to go public and confirm it's her in the photos. Two: haul her back in and tap her for a solution." Brandon let out a bitter chuckle. More than 48 hours deep, the chaos still swirling, and this was their brainstorm, pie-in-the-sky nonsense. The chief squirmed inwardly, but with the frenzy still raging, someone had to be stirring the pot. Brandon's silence left the three fidgeting like they were on pins and needles, mentally prepping their goodbyes. Two days in, a clarification from Brianna now would ring hollow. And spotting Darcy in those pics? She might flat-out refuse. Reeling her back to sort it? Back in the day, she'd leap at it. But no hysterics this round. Brandon couldn't get a read on her. He said, "This is your grand plan?" The trio shrank back, eyes glued to the floor, lips sealed. Right then, Brandon's phone buzzed. "Mom." He took the earful on the line without a peep. "Got it. We'll come by after work." He hung up and leveled them with an arctic stare. "If that crap's still trending in two hours, drop your resignations on my desk." Ultimatum delivered, the three hightailed it out of there. Brandon thought, 'Who leaks the information?' Brandon had suspected Darcy and her mother, but probably no one would willingly brand themselves as a mistress and broadcast it to the world. Her goal was to break into show business. Even if she wanted publicity, she wouldn't promote herself as the other woman. He was still mulling it over when Darcy called. Her voice was choked with tears. "Brandon, I'm so sorry. If I'd known it would turn out like this, I never would've had that birthday party." He said, "It's okay. Don't pay attention to those online posts." "But... Brianna..." Darcy sounded utterly aggrieved. "What if I go public and clear things up? Say it was me. Don't let her get the wrong idea about you." "No need. Responding would just stir up more chaos." "Then Brianna... she already doesn't like me, and now this... she must hate my guts. It's all my fault. I'm the one to blame." "Don't overthink it. Just enjoy your time in Drokvine. No one's recognized you online anyway. As for Brianna... she won't hold it against you." "I've already flown back. With all this going on, I was worried about you, so I came home." Brandon stayed silent. She continued, "Brandon, where are you right now? Can I see you?" "Let's talk about it later. I've got stuff to handle this afternoon." ***** Brianna left the studio construction site, planning to stop by the building materials market before heading home to see Kendra that afternoon. Then her phone rang. "My dear Ms. Meyers, where are you?" The president's office director sounded downright fawning. She said, "Spit it out. What's up?" "Have you seen the trending topic?" the director asked tentatively. "I have." Her tone was even. "So, how should we handle it?" "I've resigned, remember?" "Yes, yes. But with Mr. Levy's name still dangling out there like this, it doesn't sit right." "Let the PR team take care of it. They know the drill." A brief silence followed. "After you left, Ms. Levy shut down the PR department and reassigned everyone." The Ms. Levy he meant was Margo. She said, "Oh." It had been dragging on for two days, time to shut it down. She added, "Set up a press conference. Confirm it's Brandon: say his daughter was on a study abroad trip, he went along to chaperone, and they dropped by a friend's birthday party while they were at it." The director waited, but when nothing else came, he asked, "That's all?" "What more do you want?" "How do we turn this into positive spin? Like we used to." "Just getting it off the trending list would be a win. Right after the conference, you can buy some online buzz to push the coverage up and drown out the 'scumbag' angle." The director didn't dare reply. It sounded an awful lot like she was calling someone out. He hung up and quickly followed Brianna's orders, pulling together the old PR staff to manage the crisis. Sure enough, half an hour after the press conference wrapped, the story rocketed up the trends, and that "scumbag" tag finally vanished. Staring at his phone, the director thought, 'Brianna really knows her stuff. I've underestimated her.' After wandering through the building materials market, Brianna picked up a toy for Kendra and drove home. Her phone rang. It was Brandon. They hadn't spoken once in the half-month since the Drokvine trip. She sighed and picked up. He said, "Mom wants us over for dinner this afternoon." She said, "Okay, I'll swing by and get Kendra." "No, just stay put at home. I'll pick you both up after work." "Don't bother. I've got plans tonight." "Okay." Brianna pulled into the driveway, and as soon as she parked, Kendra came bounding out, throwing herself happily into her arms. "Mommy!" Brianna knelt down, wrapping Kendra in a hug, her eyes brimming with affection. When she gave her the toy, though, Kendra's face showed no excitement. She even pouted a little. Another doll. She already had a ton of them. Darcy's gifts were always more fun. On this Drokvine trip, Darcy had gotten her a whole set of kid's makeup, complete with lipstick and eyeshadow. Brianna wasn't bothered that Kendra didn't like the gift. "Kendra, if there's something you really want, you need to tell Mommy, okay? That's the only way I can know what's on your mind." She was gently encouraging Kendra to open up. Kendra said, "I want makeup, and jewelry, and cute little dresses, and purses." "Kendra, those aren't right for you just yet. When you're older..." "Mommy, I got you a present too!" Kendra could tell Brianna was gearing up for another lecture, the usual nagging. She wished she hadn't said anything; Darcy would get her those things anyway. Brianna let out a helpless sigh and followed Kendra inside the villa. They'd only moved out half a month ago, but stepping back in now felt oddly foreign. Kendra fetched a rabbit stuffed animal that gave off a soft lavender scent. "Mommy, I bought this for you when we were in Eighburgh. Smell it. It's stuffed with lavender." Brianna brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. "Yeah, you're right. Thank you, sweetie." She let Kendra know they were heading to Gabrielle's, got her changed, and the two of them drove off. Chapter 5 Confronting Gabrielle Gabrielle scowled as the family of three walked through the door. She quickly made up an excuse to send Kendra outside to play in the yard, then dove right into scolding the couple. Her target? Brianna. She said, "A wise wife keeps her husband from disaster. Look at the mess you've dragged us into!" Brianna found it almost amusing and shrugged. "Gabrielle, what's the issue? Why are you so upset?" "Don't try to fool me. Others might be clueless, but I know exactly who that is." Since she was laying it all out, Brianna decided to be blunt too. "I have no connection to them, Gabrielle. You know that." Gabrielle faltered, words catching in her throat. After a beat, she pushed on, "If you knew that mother and daughter were trouble, why didn't you keep an eye on Brandon and stop him from messing around with them?" "If I'd known the Drokvine trip was to meet those two vixens, I would've never okayed it. But Brandon didn't bother telling me. He just jetted off to see them." Brianna grabbed a handful of cherries from the coffee table. They were deliciously sweet. Gabrielle went quiet again, glaring at Brandon. "You knew that little floozy has a terrible reputation, but you chased after her anyway. You're an adult. Show some damn sense!" "Exactly! And now you're labeled a 'scumbag.' How embarrassing!" Brianna chimed in, putting extra bite on "scumbag." Brandon shot her a look, his expression turning stormy. "Oh, now you want to sling mud? Where was this fire earlier?" Gabrielle redirected her anger back at Brianna. She could chew out Brandon, but not Brianna. Margo said, "Mom, this isn't on her. That press conference this afternoon that killed the trending story? It was her idea, credit to the PR folks." Margo jumped in to defend her, though she had her own ulterior motives, none of which involved actually helping Brianna. "It should've been dealt with way sooner. Why the delay?" "I've resigned, you know that." Brianna said it lightly. If chaos was brewing, she figured, why not crank it up? No one was escaping unscathed. Gabrielle, once a force in the business world, could see right through their little games. Gabrielle said, "The higher you rise, the farther you fall. Our company seems untouchable. Everyone admires it, but tons of people are rooting for our downfall just so they can step up. "An external attack won't finish it off fast, but destroying it from the inside? That's game over in an instant." She stopped there. Brianna knew the warning was for Brandon and Margo. Margo had started at the company before Brandon, with deeper experience and impressive results. But when their father stepped down, Brandon got the top job. Margo resented it deeply. Then, when Brandon discovered her husband was pocketing kickbacks through his role, he fired him immediately, no discussion. That only widened the gap between the siblings. They kept up appearances, but Margo would sabotage him here and there, quietly hoping he'd crash and burn. As she saw Brianna casually snacking on fruit like she was above it all, Gabrielle's frustration boiled over again. "Look at this mess your family's in!" "It's just a hot search, big whoop. Is it really worth all this rage?" Brandon brushed it off with a shrug. Brianna said, "Our family's scandals are filthy enough, but some folks are like flies on shit. They flock to it! If you don't protect your own image, who else is to blame?" Catching Brianna's subtle dig, Brandon gave her a few bitter glances. He thought, 'What has gotten into her? The woman who used to walk on eggshells around me has completely changed her tune.' Gabrielle was surprised by the shift but quietly appreciated it. "Stop pouting. Head back to the office and watch Brandon closely." She said that last bit with real emphasis. Brianna flashed back to her own mother and felt like the words carried extra weight. "No way. I'm done going back." "So you're giving up work entirely?" Margo'd just begun to admire her, and she thought, 'Now she is sliding back into full-time homemaker mode, orbiting Brandon?' "No! I'm going to do something for myself." No point holding back now. "I've dreamed of starting my own brand and designing jewelry for years. It's time to turn that into reality." Margo let out a snort of laughter, spraying out the coffee she'd just taken a sip of. Gabrielle shot her a disapproving frown and jumped in. "The Levy family isn't hurting for money. Just focus on keeping Brandon in line and looking after Kendra. That's all the thanks I need." Brianna straightened up, her voice firm and unwavering. "I've already decided. This isn't open for debate." Gabrielle started to protest, but Brandon interrupted. "Mom, that's the end of it. Let's just eat." Brianna glanced over at him. She thought, 'Is he actually taking my side? Pigs must be flying, for the first time in years, he is standing up for me.' She'd always gone out of her way to please him before, swallowing her pride just to get a scrap of attention, but it never paid off. Today, after she'd thrown shade at him left and right, here he was defending her. Men really did thrive on being treated like dirt. After dinner, as the three of them headed out, Kendra latched onto Brianna, pleading to come home with her. Brianna gently loosened Kendra's grip and explained softly, "Mommy's swamped right now. Head home with Daddy for a bit, and as soon as I free up, I'll come spend time with you." Kendra looked crushed. All her life, Brianna had always prioritized her. This was the first time she'd asked for Brianna's company and been shot down. A little miffed, she turned on her heel, climbed back into the car, and gave Brianna the cold shoulder. Brianna had planned to broach the divorce, but she didn't want Kendra overhearing. Better to wait, next time she had a quiet moment, she'd ease into the conversation. The hurt was unavoidable, but she'd minimize it as much as possible. She'd brought Kendra into the world, and even if Kendra leaned toward her enemy's camp, she'd still step up as a mother. She didn't bother saying more to Brandon and just drove off the other way. Tears of hurt brimmed in Kendra's eyes. "Daddy, is Mommy angry?" Brandon said, "Mommy's not angry. She's just tied up with stuff at the moment. Give it a couple days. She'll be back." Kendra opened her mouth to say something else when her phone pinged. A message from Darcy, asking if she wanted to hit up Disneyland tomorrow. Just like that, her sulk evaporated, and she bounced with excitement, telling Brandon she wanted to go to Disneyland with Darcy the next day. Brandon gave a nod of approval. Back home, Brandon walked into the bedroom and noticed the Hermès boxes he'd left on the sofa at the end of the bed. The ribbons were untouched. Obviously, she hadn't spotted the gifts he'd brought back. He furrowed his brow, an odd sensation bubbling up inside, something weird and new that he couldn't quite place. Stepping into the bathroom, he felt like something was amiss, though he couldn't put his finger on it. Right then, his phone rang. It was Darcy, asking if she could take Kendra out for some fun. Darcy was so vibrant and sunny, loaded with talents, innocent and sweet, nothing like Brianna. More time with her would be great for Kendra. "Brandon..." Darcy trailed off hesitantly. "Yeah?" "Forget it, we can chat tomorrow. You coming?" "Just got back to the office. Piles of work waiting." "Brandon..." "Yeah?" "I'm really scared..." "Of what?" "I'm terrified the tabloids will expose me, and people online will peg me as the other woman." "Don't worry. Brianna will sort it out." Darcy thought, 'Men! Mom nailed it. The more fragile you seem, the more you ignite their urge to protect.' The second the online chatter exploded, he'd hightailed it back with Kendra. She'd figured he was dodging drama with Brianna, rushing home to play innocent. But he hadn't outright nixed meeting up tomorrow, so no real need to steer clear, apparently. She knew Brandon didn't give a damn about Brianna. Their marriage was on shaky ground at best. She thought, 'Look at that: scandal hits tying me to him, and it's the wife who has to mop it up, just like her worthless late mom, desperately clutching that marriage license.' As she reflected on the whole mess, Darcy's brow creased. She'd leaked those party pics herself, aiming to spark rumors with Brandon and rub Brianna's nose in it. She never imagined it'd blow back on her. The backlash had snowballed. Lucky she'd been cautious and kept her face out of the shots. She thought, 'Who is orchestrating things from the shadows? Brianna?' Picturing her sour, bitter expression, Darcy brushed the thought aside. She thought, 'No way, she doesn't have the skills!' Chapter 6 Give The Villa To Darcy Brianna headed to the building materials market to lock in her orders, then stopped by the authority to file the paperwork. It had her running around for most of the day. Lately, while sorting through her design portfolio, she'd gotten a burst of new ideas and wanted to run them by someone, so she invited Patsy over to her place to review the drafts. As it happened, Tristan had invited Brianna out to dinner, and when he caught wind of the design session, he pestered her relentlessly to come along. Brianna picked them both up in her car, swung by for some coffees, and headed back to her villa up in the northern part of the city. As soon as they pulled up, they noticed a crowd gathered at the entrance, bickering loudly over something or other. The three of them walked over, and right in the center was a worked-up guy. Brianna's face darkened on the spot. The property manager was still trying to reason with him calmly. "I'm sorry, sir, but someone lives here. You can't have a locksmith force the door open. Why don't you call the owner?" "Bullshit! This is clearly my house. If you're saying it's occupied, then who the hell is living in my property?" "Me!" Brianna stepped forward, stone-faced, positioning herself directly in front of Whitney with a cold glare. As for Blanca Delgado beside him, she didn't spare her a single look. Confronted by Brianna, Whitney seemed a little ashamed and tried to speak softly, "Brianna, if you wanted the house, why didn't you just tell me?" "Mom bought it for me. Why would I need to clear it with you?" Whitney's expression hardened, and he snapped at her. "What's with that tone? All these years, you won't even call me Dad. Do you even acknowledge me as your father?" "Oh, so you actually remember you're my father?" Brianna retorted with biting sarcasm. "Brianna, you two should hash this out calmly. If you want the place, your dad won't stand in your way," Blanca jumped in, acting like the gracious peacemaker between father and daughter. Only then did Brianna turn, regarding Blanca with open contempt and emphasizing every word. "This house was from my mom. The deed's in my name. Since when do you get to 'give' it to me?" "How dare you talk to Blanca that way?" Whitney was truly furious now. "You're exactly like your mother, always yelling. Don't you have any idea how a woman should act?" "Whitney, and how exactly should a woman act?" Patsy and the group knew the whole sordid Meyers family history and had no respect whatsoever for Whitney or Blanca. "You don't mean like old Blanca over here, do you?" Patsy had always had a wickedly sharp tongue. When she was little, Whitney would bring Blanca to events, and Blanca kept insisting on her status as the elder, so ever since, Patsy had mockingly dubbed her "old Blanca." Blanca couldn't maintain her composure, fighting to stay elegant as her rage built, contorting her face into an ugly grimace. Blanca said, "What 'old Blanca'? I've seen you grow up. You should be respecting me! You have no manners at all." The "old Blanca" label had nearly driven her crazy back in the day, but she'd had to grin and bear it then. Now, with the Sampson family's business tanking and her secure as the official wife, she no longer had to put up with it. "You want to lecture about manners? You, who spent over twenty years as a mistress?" Tristan said it with a lazy drawl. With that, all the bystanders' eyes shifted to Blanca. They thought, 'This poised, sophisticated woman is actually a homewrecker, and for more than two decades? 'Well, it figures. She is in her fifties but still has that allure, poured into form-fitting clothes that highlights every curve. She knows how to flaunt it.' Blanca was livid. But facing Tristan, she couldn't just let loose with curses, so her neck flushed crimson as she muttered, "I'm done with this," and marched off. Feeling guilty as sin, Whitney had longstanding ties with Patsy's parents, and the Pratt family were people they were keen to butter up, so he couldn't afford to tangle with a pair of youngsters. He changed his approach. He said, "Brianna, the house is yours. That's not changing! But you've got that massive place with the Levy family. How about letting Darcy stay in this little villa for a bit?" At those words, Brianna balled her fists, trembling with fury. She thought, 'How could he even suggest that?' When she stayed silent, Whitney assumed there was room to negotiate. He said, "Darcy's heading back to kick off her career here. Her dance troupe's based in the north district. It's perfect for her. She said she liked this spot before. Come on, you're the older sister, give her a break." Brianna's lips quivered with fury, her glare at Whitney sharp enough to draw blood. When she stayed silent for what felt like ages, Whitney lost his patience. "It's just a house. We're family. Don't be so nitpicky like your mom..." "Get out!" Brianna shrieked at him, completely losing her cool. If he mentioned her mother one more time, she'd snap. As he was stunned for a second by the outburst, Whitney's own anger boiled over. He started to fire back, but Tristan stepped between him and Brianna. "Whitney, if more of your family's skeletons come tumbling out, it's going to get really ugly." Patsy folded her arms, smirking. "Yeah, that bash in Eighburgh, don't think we don't know who's pulling the strings." It was an outright threat. Faced with their solid front and the onlookers starting to murmur and point, Whitney figured it wasn't worth the hassle and stormed off in a huff. Once they got home, Brianna collapsed into sobs. Those old wounds she'd buried so deep, they just kept tearing them open and rubbing salt in. She felt utterly trapped. Blanca strutting in to rub her face in it, and her stuck powerless to fight back. Patsy wrapped her arms around Brianna in comfort, while Tristan paced back and forth nearby, totally out of his depth. With friends around, Brianna shoved her pain aside for now. She let it out for a minute, then splashed water on her face, emerged acting like nothing had happened, and jumped right into chatting about the designs with them. Her low mood was obvious, though, and it left Tristan with a heavy knot in his chest. Later that afternoon, Tristan played it casual, suggesting they head out for some killer food to cheer things up. He thumped his chest with a grin. "Eating, drinking, good times, I'm your guy!" Tristan chose the Black Swan Restaurant in the lakeside scenic spot, fancy Drokvine fare perched right by the water. The place had its own little fenced-off patch of lake with a few swans swimming around, which explained the name. The entire commercial area there was under the Pratt Group's umbrella. He'd booked a prime table by the lake, and as the summer evening breeze skimmed across the water, rippling the surface, the dark clouds in their minds started to clear. Drokvine dining was all romance and leisure, with dishes trickling out slowly. A full meal could easily stretch three or four hours. The trio had barely dug in and were mid-chat about studio renos, staffing up, and all the little details when a familiar voice cut through, "Let's grab that spot over there. You can see the swans perfectly." Brianna didn't even need to look to know it was her daughter, Kendra. "Great pick, right there. Kendra's got a real eye for this stuff." Darcy heaped on the praise in her usual exaggerated way. Brianna sat facing the lake, her back to the newcomers, but the voices made her stiffen up instantly. Patsy gave her a concerned glance. "You alright?" Tristan's expression turned stormy. As the footsteps got closer, Brianna picked up on Brandon's presence too. Her spirits sank, and Tristan and Patsy traded uneasy looks. Kendra bounded ahead, smooshing her face against the glass and calling out excitedly for Darcy to join her in spotting the swans. The group drew near, clocking Tristan and Patsy, and recognizing Brianna from behind. Darcy acted oblivious, eagerly dropping down beside Kendra to join in the fun. Catching sight of Kendra's beaming face, complete with a Disney Mickey Mouse headband matching Darcy's, Brianna connected the dots. "Kendra." Patsy cut through the awkwardness, greeting Kendra. Kendra turned, and the second she spotted Brianna, her happiness faded. "Mommy." She mumbled it flatly. "Hey, Brianna, you're here too? Small world!" Darcy beamed her greeting. "Oh, Brianna, fancy seeing you again," Whitney jumped in. Brianna's face was like a storm cloud as she flat-out ignored them. Brandon stayed quiet, striding coolly to a table nearby and sliding into a seat. "Brianna, come join our table? More people, more fun." Darcy kept up her syrupy charm. "Quit the fake flattery. It's gross!" Brianna spun around, fixing Darcy with a scornful stare. "Mommy," Kendra stepped up with a frown, "don't be so rude to Darcy." Darcy arched a smug eyebrow at Brianna. Sensing the tension spiking, Whitney pulled Darcy toward the other table. "Let's sit, come on. Let's just sit." Kendra shot a look at Darcy, then stole a glance at Brianna before scampering over to Brandon. Even though she'd made up her mind to move on, Brianna's heart still ached fiercely. Blanca had already clued Darcy in on the afternoon drama. No luck snagging the villa, but it sure looked like Brianna and Brandon had split up.