Chapter 21: Love and Lies

The tension in the room was palpable as Ethan, Mia, and Leo huddled together, strategizing their next move. The weight of the scandal had shifted from bad to unbearable, with each new headline a fresh dagger in Ethan's reputation. Oscar's web of lies had expanded, and now Ethan stood accused of being just as corrupt as the man they sought to expose.

The stakes couldn't be higher.

"We need to release the evidence tonight," Mia said firmly, her fingers tapping anxiously on the table. "If we wait any longer, Oscar will bury us."

Ethan's heart raced. The pressure of making the right move was overwhelming, but there was no turning back now. He could see the determination in Mia's eyes, and it gave him strength. They weren't just fighting for his career—they were fighting for justice. For everything Oscar had stolen from them both.

Leo's voice cut through the tension. "We have to be smart about this. We can't just throw the evidence out there and hope for the best. We need a plan to make sure it hits the right people at the right time."

Mia nodded. "I agree. But the longer we wait, the more time Oscar has to spin this against us."

Ethan leaned back, his mind racing through the possibilities. His career was teetering on the edge of destruction, and with each passing moment, Oscar's grip tightened. "What if we did both?" he suggested. "Release the evidence, but leak parts of it strategically, build suspense, get people questioning before we drop the bomb."

Leo raised an eyebrow, considering the idea. "It could work. Get the public curious, make them doubt Oscar's version of events. Then when we release everything, it'll hit like an explosion."

Mia shot him a smile, her confidence in him undeniable. "That's a brilliant idea. Let's do it."

As they finalized their plan, Ethan's phone buzzed again, pulling his attention away. He glanced at the screen—his manager, Claire, was calling.

"What now?" he muttered before picking up.

"Ethan, we need to talk," Claire's voice was strained. "I'm getting calls from producers, sponsors… This scandal is snowballing fast. You need to address it publicly."

Ethan sighed. "We're working on it, Claire. I promise."

"You better be," Claire snapped. "If you don't get in front of this soon, your career will be dead before it's even started."

After the call ended, Ethan stared at the phone in frustration. Mia reached out, her hand gently brushing his. "It'll be okay, Ethan. We're going to fix this."

Her touch sent a wave of warmth through him, and for a moment, the chaos around them faded. He met her gaze, and the unspoken connection between them sparked again. Their relationship had been complicated from the start, but now, in the midst of all this, something deeper was taking root.

Before he could say anything, Leo's phone rang, jolting them back to reality. He answered it, his face going pale as the voice on the other end spoke. "What? Are you sure?"

He hung up, turning to them with a grim expression. "We've got a problem."

"What now?" Mia asked, her voice filled with dread.

Leo hesitated before delivering the news. "There's a new rumor spreading like wildfire. Oscar's team is now claiming that Ethan is romantically involved with a high-level executive—an affair that supposedly explains why he's risen so quickly in the industry."

Ethan's heart stopped. "What?! That's a lie!"

"I know," Leo said, his face dark. "But people are already eating it up. And they're hinting that it's a man, which is feeding into all the other rumors."

The room went silent as the weight of the new rumor hit them. It was like Oscar was throwing everything he had to crush Ethan—career, reputation, personal life. The scandal was no longer just professional—it had crossed into the deeply personal, threatening to destroy everything Ethan held dear.

Mia's face was pale, but her eyes flashed with anger. "He's going too far. We have to stop him, Ethan. Now."

Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched. But before he could respond, another thought struck him—a terrifying one. "Mia… If they're saying this about me, how long before they target you?"

Mia blinked in surprise. "Me? Why would they—?"

"They'll find a way," Ethan said, his voice urgent. "You've been seen with me. If they're desperate enough, they'll try to paint you as part of this too, maybe even claim you're part of some fake love triangle. You're at risk now."

The color drained from Mia's face as she realized the truth of his words. "I… I didn't think of that."

Leo nodded grimly. "He's right. Oscar won't stop at Ethan. If we don't act fast, you'll be next."

Mia took a deep breath, her expression hardening with resolve. "Then we have to hit back harder than ever."

Ethan stood, his resolve solidifying. "We will. Let's get this evidence out there. Tonight."

---

Hours later, the first wave of their counterattack hit the internet. Leaked recordings of Oscar's underhanded deals, photos of him meeting with shady executives, and documents detailing his corruption began circulating on social media. The public, already suspicious, began to question everything they thought they knew about the entertainment mogul.

The backlash was immediate.

**"Is Oscar Really the Victim?"**

**"New Evidence Suggests Oscar May Be the Real Villain in Ethan Cross Scandal!"**

The tide was turning.

But as Ethan and Mia watched the storm unfold from their safehouse, the tension between them had reached its breaking point. The danger, the rumors, the relentless pressure—it had all built up until the space between them seemed to vibrate with unspoken emotion.

Mia turned to him, her eyes searching his. "Ethan… About everything that's been happening… I just wanted to say—"

Before she could finish, Ethan closed the distance between them, his hand cupping her face. "Mia, I don't care about the rumors. I don't care what they say about me. All I care about is you."

Her breath hitched as he leaned in, and for a moment, the world outside faded. Their lips met in a kiss that was as desperate as it was tender, a moment of relief in the midst of the chaos.

When they finally pulled apart, Mia's eyes were bright with emotion. "Ethan… I—"

Whatever she was about to say was cut off by a sudden loud knock at the door.

All the tension snapped back into place, and Ethan's heart pounded as he moved toward the door. Mia grabbed his arm, her expression filled with fear. "Who could that be?"

Leo, ever cautious, motioned for them to stay back as he peered through the peephole.

"It's someone from the studio," he whispered, his voice filled with alarm.

Ethan's stomach dropped. Whoever it was, this visit could only mean more trouble.

The battle against Oscar wasn't over—not by a long shot. And as the door slowly creaked open, Ethan braced himself for whatever came next.