Chapter 295:

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Elisa remained silent, the truth of Jewel’s words settling over her like a heavy cloak. In the world of capital, perception was reality.

Jewel crossed the room and took Elisa’s free hand, her grip warm and firm. “You are Faye. You are the real genius. You need to step into the light and let them see you, not the shadow Allena is casting.”

Elisa looked at her friend, seeing the unwavering belief in her eyes. “Fine. But I won’t discuss my marriage. I won’t be the scorned ex-wife on national TV.”

A slow, wicked smile spread across Jewel’s face. “Don’t worry. I’m an executive producer on this episode. I’ve already had a very… detailed conversation with the host. All questions will be strictly professional. For you.”

“And for Allena?” Elisa asked, catching the glint in Jewel’s eye.

“I made no promises regarding her,” Jewel said, her smile turning feral. “This is your stage, Elisa. Use it.”

A genuine, if small, smile touched Elisa’s lips. “Thank you, Jewel.”

“We’re sisters in arms,” Jewel said, squeezing her hand. “Now go prep. Show them who the queen really is.”

Elisa left the office, feeling a strange mix of dread and anticipation. As the door clicked shut behind her, Jewel’s assistant knocked and entered, holding a printed email.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺

“Mrs. Gilmore, this just came in from Chambers Group PR,” the assistant said, her voice hesitant. “It’s regarding the interview.”

Jewel took the paper, her eyes scanning the text. The smile vanished from her face as if it had been slapped off.

The email was clear: August Chambers would be accompanying Dr. Allena Sinclair to the interview, in his capacity as CEO of Chambers Group, to discuss the future of medical investment.

The blood drained from Jewel’s face. This changed everything. This wasn’t just two women fighting over a professional spotlight. This was August Chambers publicly throwing his entire empire’s weight behind his mistress. It was a declaration of war against his own wife.

She grabbed her phone and dialed Elisa’s number. It rang and rang, going to voicemail. Elisa was probably already in the elevator, out of signal range.

Jewel paced the length of her office, her mind racing. August’s presence would turn the interview into a spectacle of his power and Allena’s status. It would be a public execution of Elisa’s dignity.

Across town, in the back of a sleek black town car, August was completely unaware of the storm he had just triggered. He was staring out the window, his mind still consumed by the gray eyes in the photograph.

Allena was nestled against his side, scrolling through her phone. “August, do you think I should wear the white Dior for the interview? Or the Chanel? White looks so clinical, but it’s so ‘doctor,’ you know?”

“Whatever you want,” August murmured, his attention elsewhere.

His phone buzzed. A text from Simon.

Guardian’s credit card was just charged a significant amount at The Willow Creek Center for Child Development. The nature of the visit is still under investigation, but it’s an exclusive facility.

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