Contract to love

Chapter-eight:he stood-for her

Every network carried the same story.

Ethan Blackwood married Nora Carter, the fallen heiress.

"Is this a business strategy or genuine romance?"

"Questions continue to arise about Nora’s marriage to one of America's wealthiest families." Even she herself is from a wealthy family.

Inside the top floor of Ethan’s office. Ethan stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, hands tucked into his pockets as he watched the chaos unfold below.

His expression never changed. Only those who knew him well could see the irritation hidden beneath his calm expression. A knock interrupted the silence.

"Come in."

Nathan entered carrying a tablet.

Noah has gotten home safely

Damian didn't turn around.

‘’Good’’

Different stories have been spreading faster than we had anticipated."

Nathan placed the tablet on the desk.

Damian finally looked up and placed a call across to Nora.

Your brother has returned home safely, no headline will talk about him.

Nora breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him.

The headlines were getting worse.

Did Nora Carter marry Ethan to save Carter heights?

INSIDERS QUESTION CEO'S WEDDING.

NORA CARTER LINKED TO CARTER HEIGHT’S DOWNFALL.

He scrolled farther and none of the articles cited evidence, and did not even attempt to verify the claims.

Rumors had become headlines overnight.

"They've crossed the line,"Ethan said quietly.

Nathan nodded.

"They're chasing traffic and attacking my wife."

For several moments, the room fell silent and Ethan tapped his suit gently on the floor.

Ethan picked up his phone,"Connect me with Richard Calloway."

Michael looked surprised.

"The president of the National Broadcast Council?"

"Yes."

The call connected less than a minute later.

A warm voice answered.

"Ethan. I was expecting your call."

"I'll be brief."

The warmth disappeared immediately.

"I've been watching the coverage."

I saw all the claims

Ethan’s voice remained calm.

"Freedom of the press is not the issue."

"No."

"Harassing a high school student and publishing fabricated accusations against my wife is."

Richard sighed.

"I've already received complaints."

"You'll receive more."

"I assume you're calling before contacting your lawyers."

"I'm calling out of courtesy."

Michael watched quietly as Ethan continued.

"I have no intention of interfering with legitimate journalism."

"But if any network under your oversight continues encouraging crews to surround my wife's younger brother or publish stories that their authenticity are not verified ..." He paused, "...every legal option available will be pursued."

His words weren't loud.

Richard knew exactly what they meant.

Blackwood’s employed thousands of people.

Its legal department had defeated governments in court.

Richard spoke carefully.

"I'll contact every network executive personally."

"I'd appreciate that."

"And Ethan ..."

"Yes?"

"I hope this situation settles quickly."

Ethan looked through the glass wall overlooking the city.

"So do I."

The call ended.

Nathan picked up his tablet, You think they'll listen?"

He asked.

Ethan picked up his phone.

"If they don't..."

He selected another contact.

"... I will make sure they do by hearing from someone else."

Across the city…

Noah got home safely and sat on his bed scrolling through his phone.

His class group was filled with questions from his mate and speculation from some of his mates.

His sister's face was all over the group with questions.

Noah wasn't interested.

He had exams coming up, and he needed to study

Nothing else mattered.

His mind drifted back to the reporters from school.

Unfortunately, the reporters waiting outside his school had different priorities.

"There he is!"

Within seconds, microphones surrounded him.

"Did your sister know Ethan before getting married to him?"

"Has your sister moved into the Blackwood estate?"

"Do you have any idea if they love themselves?"

Flash, camera shutters clicked without stopping.

Noah adjusted his backpack.

Then looked at the nearest reporter.

"Excuse me."

The woman smiled hopefully.

"Yes?"

"I'm trying to get to class."

"It'll only take a minute."

"I've already lost two."

The crowd laughed softly.

Another reporter stepped closer.

"People are saying your sister married for money."

Noah mumbled, We have money.

"People also say pineapple belongs on pizza."

The students watching nearby burst into laughter.

"Doesn't make them right."

Several reporters exchanged frustrated looks.

This wasn't the emotional breakdown they wanted.

A camera person pushed closer." So you're denying everything?"

Noah adjusted the strap of his backpack.

"I'm saying none of your claims are true.

"You've never spoken to her."

"So why should I answer questions about her personal life?"

Another reporter tried a different approach.

"Is it Ethan that's paying for your education?"

Noah smiled politely.

"My family is rich, I don’t need anyone to pay my fees, besides I’m on scholarship ."

Again, no drama, no anger, no panic in his voice.

Just certainty.

Exactly the opposite of what the reporters had hoped to capture.

Nearly twenty minutes away... Ethan's private phone rang.

Nathan.

"Sir."

"What is it?"

"The media still went to Noah, after their fruitless attempt yesterday."

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

"Where?"

"At his school"

"They surrounded him when he was about to enter the school compound ."

"How many?"

"Approximately twenty-five reporters."

Ethan glanced toward his phone.

His expression became unreadable.

"They ignored the warning."

"Yes, sir."

For several seconds, Ethan said nothing.

Then his voice turned cold.

"Deploy Team Alpha."

Nathan didn't hesitate.

"Immediately?"

"Immediately."

"I want Noah escorted to his class safely."

"And the reporters?"

Ethan walked toward the window.

"They've mistaken persistence for permission."

His reflection stared back at him.

"Remind them there's a difference."

Nathan understood exactly what he meant.

"Understood, sir."

The line went dead.

Ethan reached for his suit jacket.

Ethan’s convoy reached Noah’s school in less than eight minutes.

Three black SUVs rolled through the front gates in perfect formation, drawing curious glances from students in their various classes. The vehicles stopped in front of the school gate, where nearly two dozen reporters had formed a tight circle around Noah.

Microphones were thrust toward him from every direction.

"Has your family signed a confidentiality agreement?"

"Is the marriage just a publicity stunt?"

Noah stood with remarkable patience, his backpack still hanging from one shoulder.

"I answered enough questions yesterday."

"You didn’t answer any," one reporter insisted.

"Exactly."

Another reporter tried a different tactic.

"Do you think your sister loves Ethan?"

Noah smiled politely.

"I think that's a question for my sister."

"But you're family."

"And that's exactly why I'm not answering."

The reporters groaned in frustration.

Just then, the doors of the SUVs opened.

Eight security officers stepped out, dressed in dark suits with discreet earpieces. They moved with calm precision, not rushing, not raising their voices.

The crowd instinctively parted.

The team leader approached Noah.

"Mr Carter?"

Noah looked at him.

"Yes?"

"I'm Daniel Foster, Director of Executive Security for Ashford Holdings."

He held up his identification.

"Mr. Blackwood has asked us to escort you to your class."

Noah raised an eyebrow.

"He actually sent security?"

"Yes, sir."

A reporter hurried forward.

"Are you removing him because he has something to hide?"

Daniel turned calmly.

"No."

"We're removing him because he's a student supposed to be attending class."

Another microphone appeared.

"Is this an attempt to silence the press?"

Daniel's expression remained professional.

"The press is welcome to report facts."

He looked directly into the cameras.

"Harassing a student is not journalism."

The words landed harder than anyone expected.

Before another question could be asked, the security officers formed a protective circle around Noah.

No pushing.

No shouting.

Just an organized, disciplined escort.

As they walked toward his class, the reporters continued shouting.

He turned around one last time.

Then he went inside his classroom, his classmates exchanged glances before focusing their attention on the teacher in class .

Across town...

Every major television network interrupted its regular programming.

A banner flashed across the screen.

LIVE: ETHAN BLACKWOOD TO ADDRESS THE MEDIA

Inside Blackwood’s holding auditorium, more than a hundred journalists filled every seat.

Camera flashes illuminated the stage.

The room buzzed with anticipation.

Ethan stepped behind the podium precisely at noon.

He waited.

One second.

Two.

Three.

The room slowly became silent.

When he finally spoke, his voice was steady.

"I'll make one statement." I wouldn’t want to be interrupted until I finished. Thank you

No one moved.

No one spoke.

"I understand the public's interest in my recent marriage."

"I expected questions."

"I expected headlines."

I expected the deliberate spread of false information."

He looked around the room.

"My wife has been accused of crimes without evidence."

"Her character has been questioned by people who have never met her."

"Her family has become the target of relentless harassment."

He paused.

"That is unacceptable."

A reporter raised her hand.

"Mr. Blackwood"

Ethan-raised a finger.

"I haven't finished."

The room fell silent again.

"This morning, members of the press surrounded my wife's younger brother in his school entrance."

"He is a student."

"He is not a public figure."

"He did not ask for this attention."

"And he certainly does not deserve to be chased across school because of my marriage."

Several cameras zoomed in.

Ethan continued.

"I support responsible journalism."

"I do not support intimidation disguised as reporting."

"My legal team has already begun reviewing every publication and broadcast that has knowingly published false statements regarding my wife."

He glanced briefly toward the front row, where several editors shifted uncomfortably.

"If corrections are not issued voluntarily..."

"...the courts will decide the matter."

The room erupted with murmurs.

Then came the first question.

"Mr. Blackwood , are you denying that this marriage was arranged for business purposes?"

Ethan met the reporter's eyes.

"I'm saying my marriage is exactly what I have called it."

"My marriage."

Another hand shot up.

"So the relationship is genuine?"

He answered without hesitation.

"I chose to marry my wife, no one forced me and no one negotiated on my behalf."

"The reasons behind that decision belong to us."

A different reporter stood.

"People believe she married you to save her family business."

"My wife had built a respectable image before she ever met me."

"Reducing her life to a fraudulent act says far more about the person making the accusation than it does about her."

The room became noticeably quieter.

Another journalist tried once more.

"Will your wife be speaking publicly?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because she doesn't owe strangers an explanation for her private life."

He rested both hands on the podium.

"If you have questions about Blackwood Holdings..."

"Ask me."

"If you disagree with my business decisions..."

"Challenge me."

"If you wish to criticize me personally..."

"Go ahead."

His voice became colder.

"But leave my wife and her family out of it."

The words echoed across the auditorium.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Ethan delivered his final statement.

"From this day forward, any organization that knowingly publishes defamatory claims about my wife or targets her family through harassment should expect an immediate legal response."

"This is not a request."

"It is notice."

Without another word, he stepped away from the podium.

Questions erupted instantly.

"Mr. Blackwood !"

"One more question!"

"Sir!"

He never looked back.

Several miles away, Nora sat alone in the living room of the Blackwood estate.

The television remained on long after the broadcast ended.

She hadn't expected Ethan to defend her so fiercely.

He had never claimed to love her or ever made a grand romantic speech.

Instead, he had done something that somehow meant even more.

He had stood before the entire country and, without hesitation, called her his wife.

A small smile found its way onto her face.

Perhaps the marriage had begun under unusual circumstances.

Perhaps they were still learning who each other truly was.

But one thing had become unmistakably clear.

When the world came after her...

Ethan Blackwood didn't step aside.

He stepped in front of her.