ia storm had begun to spiral, with whispers turning into headlines and rumors spreading like wildfire. Cross Tech's reputation was on the line, and Damian was doing everything h

n enigma and a sensation. Invitations to interviews, gallery openings, and press events flooded her inbox. But the attention felt hollow.

s cryptic warning still echoed in her mind. "Stay away from me. For your own

n a quiet café away from the prying eyes of the public. The dim lighting cast

cup as she watched Damian across the table. He hadn't spoken much since they

istakable vulnerability. "You shouldn't be here, Ava. The situ

I'm not afraid of the media. I'm afraid of you shutting me out

shut you out. But my world everything around me is dangerous. You d

ing on his. "I'm already in it. Whether you

o much of him, and even if he wanted to keep her at arm's length, the truth was, she was already part of

zed with an incoming message. He glanc

m. The board wants answe

e. "I have to go," he said, his voice strained. "But I

t promise me something you can't kee

xpression softening just for a moment. "I always am

. She had no idea what the next move would be, but one thing was clear: she wasn't going to let Damian

mosphere was charged, each member of the board exchanging tense glances. Olivia st

is the press coverage intensifying, but there's been an increase in hostile inquiries from investors. They'

erable position. If the public began to see Damian's personal life as unst

rward. "Damian, this is more than just a personal issue now. Your relationship with this artist Ava

would focus on the optics. But he wasn't about to throw Ava unde

g. "But I'm not making Ava the scapegoat. If anyone trie

looks, clearly taken aback by his fierce defense o

plan in place. This isn't just a public relations issue anym

about the media anymore. Someone, somewhere, was using Ava and him as

steady. "I'll make sure we get ahead of this. But

s far from over. He had more questions than answers, and now he ha

d down on her. She had been trying to lose herself in her work, but every stroke

et me at the office tomorro

ing. Whatever Damian was hiding whatever he had been

that something darker was closing in. She had stepped into a world she didn'

lace, but with every revelation, the dan

ot, the more the thre