<h1><strong> A Fleeting Encounter</strong></h1>


    As soon as someone took charge, the journalists moved aside. Grayson shielded me as we got into the car and headed straight to the office. In the rearview mirror, I could see the crowd dispersing.


    Outside thepany building, fervent reporters and Harmony’s fans were staked out. Even the underground parking lot was crowded.


    Grayson reacted quickly. He quietly reversed the car and left Gr Tower. Suddenly, a thought struck me. I decided to go to the Vanderberg Pce.


    I asked Grayson to gather a few people at the Vanderberg Pce. It was conveniently close to the office, making it a suitable ce for discussions


    As we entered the mansion, I saw thest person I wanted to see. It waspletely unexpected. He seemed far away when I wanted to see him, but then, out of nowhere, he was there.


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    Every cell in my body seemed to freeze. My gaze fixed on his face, which was both stern and captivating. I held Grayson’s hand tightly, seeking support.


    The everposed Grayson greeted the two men with a smile. “Mr. As! Good to see you, Mr. Atticus!”


    “Yes. We need to talk,” As said in a controlled tone, his eyes never leaving my face. Then, he cleared his throat and asked, “Is your foot okay?”


    I smiled wryly and replied, “It’s fine. Thank you.”


    Then I turned to Atticus, who had been quietly observing us. “Mr. Atticus, are you leaving?”


    With a quick nod, Atticus looked at my foot with concern. “Why is it so bad? It hasn’t healed yet? You should rest.”


    It’s alright. There’s something urgent I must do,” I said calmly, then squeezed Grayson’s hand. “Let’s go. Inside Mr. Atticus, please excuse us.”


    I did not give As a second look. I treated him like air and allowed Grayson to support me as we walked


    I struggled to walk on my single good leg. My only thought was to leave their sight as quickly as possible. was racing, and I must have looked like a mess. I wasn’t sure if he was watching me leave, but he was right behind me. mind had to know why bai fronted me this way. However, with others around us, there were Grayson settled me in a cher in the inner room was disuse, and my hand clung togey to Grayson’s, using it as crac


    I go get you some feat Grayson said before suntly Isar back into the chat with a my smile, texting petty tren tegning to and, in my own my ce in his heart. However, the olies whad overestimated my sities as a divorced women with actdidn’t even have the right toin the fix that becalready a blessing the best could do was to fare self wme. The online hate reminded me had to code this.


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    Grayson settled me into a chair in the inner room. I was covered in sweat, and my hand clung tightly to Grayson’s, using it as a crutch.


    Grayson didn’t pull his hand away. He looked at me with concern. “Chlo, are you okay?”


    It was only then that I realized I was gripping him too tightly and quickly let go.


    “I’ll go get you some tea!” Grayson said before swiftly leaving


    I sank back into the chair with a wry smile, feeling pitiful. From beginning to end, I never truly knew my ce in his heart. However, the online abuse made me much more clear–headed.


    I had overestimated my abilities as a divorced woman with a child attempting to lead a conglomerate.


    I didn’t even have the right toin. The fact that he asionally showed concern for me was already a blessing. The best I could do was to have self–awareness.


    I wasn’t Harmony, glowing in the limelight with millions of fans. She was undoubtedly more capable than me. The online hate reminded me I had to confront this challenge alone.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Before long, Ryan and several key figures entered the room one after another. I also called Ivanna and Lauren, asking them to join us.


    Lauren was skilled in handling interpersonal rtionships, while Ivanna was experienced in dealing with the media. I secretly felt grateful that I still had friends and wasn’t fighting this battle alone.


    We reviewed all the details for the press conference scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Grayson also added the evidence he had found, ensuring everything would be airtight.


    With the n in ce, the rest of the team returned to thepany to get things ready.


    Ivanna hired a highly skilled public rtions specialist. After we presented him with our materials and strategy, he identified a few ws and made some changes. He arranged for some influential journalists to shape the narrative.


    Everything seemed in order, and we waited for the showdown the day after tomorrow.