BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

THE PROMISE BENEATH THE RAIN

Chapter 27 – The Promise Beneath the Rain

The morning after the rumors broke, the Carter Group Public Relations Department was flooded with phone calls.

Reporters camped outside the company's headquarters.

Entertainment blogs continued to speculate about Olivia and Adrian Brooks despite Ethan's public statement denying every accusation.

Inside Carter Group, however, everyone knew one thing.

Their CEO was furious.

Not because of the rumors.

But because someone had dared to target his wife.

---

Ethan stood in the boardroom overlooking the city skyline.

Daniel entered carrying another investigation report.

"We've identified the first website that published the story."

Ethan looked up.

"Who owns it?"

"A media company registered under a shell corporation."

"And the owner?"

"We're still tracing it."

Daniel paused before adding,

"But every trail eventually leads back to businesses connected to Victor Hayes."

Ethan's expression became cold.

"I expected as much."

Richard Collins leaned forward.

"The legal department is ready."

Ethan nodded.

"File every lawsuit."

"I don't care how many."

"I want every false article removed."

"And issue another public statement."

Richard smiled.

"Already done."

---

Meanwhile, at Carter Manor...

Olivia sat in the sunroom reading messages on her phone.

Thousands of people had commented beneath the articles.

Some defended her.

Others believed the rumors.

She sighed softly.

"I shouldn't be reading these."

Sophia, who had come to visit for tea, gently took the phone from her hands.

"Then don't."

Olivia looked at her.

"What if people keep believing them?"

Sophia smiled reassuringly.

"The people who matter already know the truth."

She poured another cup of tea.

"And judging by the news..."

"...your husband certainly does."

Olivia smiled without realizing it.

"He left work early just to make sure I was alright."

Sophia laughed.

"Olivia..."

"I don't think that man realizes how deeply he's fallen for you."

Olivia blushed.

"I don't know about that."

"Oh?"

Sophia leaned closer.

"When was the last time he let you leave the house without asking where you were going?"

Olivia thought for a moment.

"I..."

"...can't remember."

"And when was the last time he forgot to call you during the day?"

She smiled.

"He always calls."

Sophia grinned.

"Exactly."

---

That afternoon...

Ethan arrived home much earlier than usual.

The moment he entered the living room, Olivia looked up from her book.

"You're home already?"

"I finished early."

She smiled knowingly.

"Or you left early."

He didn't deny it.

"I wanted to check on you."

"I'm alright."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"I've stopped reading the comments."

"Good."

He sat beside her on the sofa.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Ethan broke the silence.

"I'm sorry."

Olivia looked surprised.

"For what?"

"You became involved in this because of me."

She shook her head immediately.

"No."

"It happened because someone wanted to hurt us."

He looked at her quietly.

"I should have protected you better."

She reached for his hand.

"You already are."

His eyes met hers.

"And I always will."

---

Across the city...

Victor Hayes looked irritated as another report landed on his desk.

His assistant spoke cautiously.

"The articles are disappearing."

"Why?"

"Carter Group's legal team."

"They're forcing every publisher to remove them."

Victor let out a slow breath.

"Ethan moves faster than I expected."

"What now?"

Victor walked toward the window.

"We adapt."

He looked over the city below.

"If rumors won't separate them..."

"...then we'll create circumstances that can't be explained so easily."

His assistant frowned.

"What do you have in mind?"

Victor smiled faintly.

"Invite Adrian to the Whitmore Business Excellence Gala."

"The Carters will be attending."

The assistant nodded.

"I'll make the arrangements."

Victor's smile widened.

"This time..."

"...I won't rely on photographs."

"I'll let fate place them in the same room."

He looked down at the invitation resting on his desk.

"The next move..."

"...will happen in front of everyone."

That evening, Carter Manor was peaceful once again.

The rain from the previous night had washed the gardens clean, leaving the roses glistening beneath the setting sun.

Olivia stood by the living room window, admiring the view while holding a cup of tea.

Behind her, Ethan finished reading a business report before setting it aside.

He looked at her quietly.

"You've been standing there for almost ten minutes."

She smiled without turning around.

"I like watching the sunset."

He walked over and stood beside her.

"So do I."

She looked at him with a teasing smile.

"Since when?"

He shrugged.

"Since you started watching it."

She laughed softly.

"I think you're becoming sentimental."

"I think you're rubbing off on me."

Their laughter filled the room, drawing William's attention from the study.

He peeked inside before smiling to himself.

"They're laughing together every day now."

Anna nodded happily.

"It's nice seeing Mr. Carter smile so often."

---

The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Harris.

He entered carrying a silver envelope.

"Mr. Carter."

Ethan turned.

"What is it?"

"An invitation."

He accepted it and opened the envelope.

Inside was an elegant black-and-gold invitation.

Whitmore Business Excellence Gala

Hosted by the Whitmore Business Association

Special Guests: Business Leaders and Philanthropists

Olivia looked at the card.

"Another gala?"

Ethan nodded.

"We receive invitations every year."

William adjusted his glasses.

"That's one of the biggest business events in the country."

Olivia smiled.

"I suppose we'll be attending."

Ethan hesitated.

He remembered Victor's appearance at the charity ball.

His instincts warned him to decline.

But refusing would only attract unnecessary attention.

After a moment, he nodded.

"We'll go."

---

Across the city...

Victor Hayes sat in his office as his assistant entered.

"The invitations have been accepted."

Victor smiled.

"The Carters?"

"Yes."

"And Adrian Brooks?"

"He'll be attending as one of the charity sponsors."

Victor leaned back comfortably.

"Excellent."

Everything was moving exactly as he had planned.

His assistant looked uncertain.

"Sir..."

"Are you expecting something to happen?"

Victor smiled coldly.

"I don't need to create a scandal."

"I only need to create an opportunity."

He picked up a glass of whiskey.

"The rest..."

"...will take care of itself."

---

The next afternoon, Olivia visited a well-known fashion boutique to choose a gown for the upcoming gala.

Sophia insisted on accompanying her.

"This one!" Sophia exclaimed, holding up an elegant emerald-green gown.

Olivia laughed.

"It's beautiful."

"But maybe a little too bold."

"What about this one?"

The boutique assistant presented an ivory evening gown decorated with delicate silver embroidery.

Olivia's eyes lit up.

"It's gorgeous."

"You should try it on," Sophia said.

A few minutes later, Olivia stepped out of the fitting room.

The boutique fell silent.

The gown hugged her figure perfectly, while the flowing skirt gave her an elegant, graceful appearance.

Sophia covered her mouth.

"Oh..."

"You look absolutely stunning."

Even the boutique staff couldn't hide their admiration.

"Mrs. Carter, that dress looks as though it was made for you."

Olivia blushed.

"I'll take it."

---

As they completed the purchase, another customer entered the boutique.

"Olivia?"

She turned.

"Adrian?"

He smiled politely.

"What a coincidence."

Sophia raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Adrian looked at the gown bag.

"Shopping for the Whitmore Gala?"

Olivia nodded.

"Yes."

"I've been invited too."

Sophia noticed the coincidence immediately.

"You're attending as well?"

Adrian smiled.

"My company sponsors one of the charity awards."

He politely excused himself after exchanging a few more words.

Once he disappeared into another section of the boutique, Sophia looked at Olivia.

"Doesn't it seem strange?"

Olivia frowned.

"What does?"

"You keep running into him."

Olivia thought for a moment before smiling.

"I suppose we just move in similar circles."

Sophia wasn't completely convinced.

"Maybe..."

"But I'd still be careful."

Olivia nodded.

"I will."

---

Meanwhile...

Not far from the boutique, inside a parked black sedan...

Victor Hayes lowered a pair of binoculars.

A satisfied smile spread across his face.

"Another perfect coincidence."

His assistant looked at the photographs they had just taken.

"Ethan wasn't here."

Victor nodded.

"He doesn't need to be."

He looked at the newest picture of Adrian and Olivia talking outside the boutique.

Soon...

Another carefully timed photograph would find its way to the media.

But not yet.

He placed the photograph inside his briefcase.

"The Whitmore Gala..."

"...will be the stage."

"And when the curtain rises..."

"...everyone will be watching."

Far away, completely unaware of the trap tightening around them...

Ethan was already on his way home, eager to spend another quiet evening with Olivia.

Neither of them realized...

That their peaceful days were coming to an end.