Chapter 298:

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He hung up, his eyes never leaving the building. He felt like a man standing on the edge of a cliff, about to step into the dark. And the terrifying part was, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to step back.

The backstage area of the NBC studios was a maze of cables, rushing production assistants, and the low, anxious hum of people about to go live.

Elisa sat in her assigned dressing room, staring at her reflection in the brightly lit mirror. The makeup artist had done a masterful job, her skin glowed, her eyes were sharp, and the dark blue suit she wore made her look like a force of nature.

She looked like Faye.

A commotion in the hallway caught her attention. She heard Allena’s distinctive, high-pitched laugh, followed by the low murmur of August’s voice.

Elisa stood up. She opened the dressing room door and stepped into the corridor just as August and Allena were being escorted past.

August saw her first. His step faltered for a fraction of a second, his eyes narrowing into cold, hard slits. Allena, who was clinging to his arm like a vine, looked up and saw Elisa. A smirk instantly curled her lips.

“Elisa,” Allena cooed, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “What a surprise. I didn’t know they let the support staff backstage.”

Elisa ignored her. She looked directly at August. “I need to speak with you. Five minutes.”

Allena tightened her grip on August’s arm. “August, we don’t have time for her drama. Hair and makeup is waiting.”

R𝘦a𝘥 t𝗁𝘦 l𝘢te𝘴𝘵 𝘁𝗋e𝗇𝖽𝘴 𝘰n 𝗴аlո𝗈𝗏𝘦𝗅s.𝗰𝘰𝗺

August held up a hand, silencing Allena. He looked at Elisa, his expression bored. “You have two minutes.”

He nodded to Allena, who shot Elisa a venomous glare before flouncing off toward her own dressing room.

Elisa led August down the hall to a quiet alcove near the fire exit. The moment they were out of earshot, she turned to face him.

“I’m not asking you as your wife,” Elisa said, her voice low and steady. “I’m asking you as someone who understands the vulnerability of the Chambers empire. Do not go on that stage with her.”

August let out a short, mocking laugh. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Is that right? The woman who blocked my number is now using the trust to get my attention? How predictable.”

“This isn’t a game, August,” Elisa said, her eyes flashing. “If you sit next to her on national television, you aren’t just making a personal statement. You’re making a financial one. You’re tying the Chambers name to Vanguard Medical. If she fails, you fail. The stock will tank. The board will revolt.”

She took a step closer, her voice dropping. “Your grandfather built this empire on respectability. Are you really willing to risk it all for a woman who isn’t even your wife?”

The mention of his grandfather was a spark to powder. August’s face darkened, the lazy amusement vanishing. He pushed off the wall, using his height to loom over her.

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