Chapter 16: The Trap Is Set
866 Words
Victoria stared at the photograph on her phone for a long time.
The image showed Ava wrapped tightly in Ethan's embrace beneath the soft glow of the parking garage lights.
She had expected anger.
Arguments.
Distance.
A marriage already built on a contract should have shattered after one carefully planted lie.
Instead...
It had become stronger.
Her fingers slowly tightened around the phone until her knuckles turned white.
"They chose each other," she muttered.
The thought irritated her more than she cared to admit.
She tossed the phone onto the glass coffee table with enough force to make it slide across the surface.
A slow clap echoed through the luxurious penthouse.
Victoria turned.
Lucas Bennett stepped out from the shadows, dressed in an expensive charcoal suit, a glass of whiskey in one hand.
Unlike Victoria, Lucas wasn't emotional.
He was patient.
Dangerously patient.
His cold gray eyes landed on the photograph.
"So," he said calmly, "your plan failed."
Victoria folded her arms.
"It wasn't supposed to."
Lucas walked closer, studying the picture without touching the phone.
"They're holding each other."
"They won't be for long."
Lucas smirked.
"You sound less certain than before."
Victoria's jaw tightened.
"I know Ava. She's emotional. She's insecure. I just need another opportunity."
Lucas laughed softly.
"No."
Victoria frowned.
"No?"
"We've already underestimated Ethan King once."
He placed his glass on the table.
"The man built one of the biggest companies in the country before he turned thirty. You don't beat someone like him with cheap misunderstandings."
Victoria looked away.
"So what do you suggest?"
Lucas smiled.
"You don't attack the marriage."
"You destroy everything surrounding it."
Silence filled the room.
Then he continued.
"Money."
"Power."
"Trust."
"Reputation."
"Family."
"Take away enough pieces..."
"...and even the strongest marriage begins to crack."
Victoria slowly smiled.
"I like the way you think."
Lucas looked out through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.
"This isn't about revenge anymore."
"It's business."
"And Ethan King has something I want."
---
The following morning...
The King Mansion was unusually peaceful.
Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the dining room.
Ava walked downstairs wearing a simple cream-colored dress, her damp hair resting on her shoulders.
She froze.
Ethan was already sitting at the dining table reading the morning financial newspaper.
He looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a second...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Ethan folded the newspaper.
"Good morning."
His voice was calm.
Gentle.
Ava smiled awkwardly.
"Morning."
The housekeeper entered carrying breakfast.
Within minutes the table was filled with pancakes, fresh fruit, eggs, toast and coffee.
Ava sat opposite him.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable anymore.
It simply felt...new.
Ethan poured coffee into her cup before filling his own.
Ava blinked.
"You remembered."
"You take one spoon of sugar."
She looked at him in surprise.
"You noticed?"
He shrugged.
"I notice more than you think."
Heat rushed to Ava's cheeks.
She quickly looked down at her plate.
The housekeeper smiled quietly before leaving the room.
For the first time since their marriage began...
Breakfast felt like something shared between a husband and wife.
Not two strangers.
---
Half an hour later...
Their black SUV pulled into the underground parking garage of King's Group.
As Ethan stepped out of the vehicle, his assistant, Daniel, hurried toward him.
"Mr. King."
Ethan immediately noticed the concern on Daniel's face.
"What is it?"
"We have a situation."
Daniel handed him a tablet.
Several online news articles flashed across the screen.
Billionaire CEO's Secret Marriage Under Investigation.
Is the King's Marriage Just a Business Contract?
Mystery Woman Connected to Ethan King's Past Returns.
Ethan's expression darkened.
"Who published these?"
"We're still tracing the source."
Another notification appeared.
Then another.
And another.
Someone was flooding social media with rumors.
Ava stepped beside him.
"What happened?"
Ethan turned the tablet toward her.
Her heart sank as she read the headlines.
"They're lying..."
"I know."
She looked at him.
"What do we do?"
Ethan locked the tablet and handed it back to Daniel.
"We don't panic."
Daniel nodded.
"But sir...reporters have surrounded the front entrance."
"How many?"
"Nearly fifty."
Ava's eyes widened.
"Fifty?"
Daniel nodded grimly.
"They've been waiting since six this morning."
Ethan remained perfectly calm.
"Prepare the conference hall."
Daniel blinked.
"Sir?"
"If they want answers..."
A dangerous smile crossed Ethan's face.
"...I'll give them answers."
Daniel hurried away.
Ava grabbed Ethan's arm.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
He looked into her eyes.
"They're trying to control the story."
His voice became firm.
"I'm about to remind them..."
"...that no one controls Ethan King."
Outside the building, dozens of cameras pointed toward the entrance.
Reporters shouted over one another.
Security struggled to hold them back.
None of them realized that somewhere across the street, inside a black sedan with heavily tinted windows...
Victoria watched everything unfold.
She smiled confidently.
"This is only the beginning."
But sitting beside her, Lucas Bennett simply watched King's Group in silence.
Unlike Victoria...
He wasn't interested in creating chaos.
He was waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a single blow that would destroy Ethan King completely.
And that moment...
Was closer than anyone realized.
- Writer
