Chapter 144

No.1

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."

No.2

Elisa ignored her. She looked directly at August. "|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."

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."

No.3

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.

"You don't get to lecture me about my family," he snarled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "You don't get to use my grandfather's name to manipulate me. I know exactly what you're doing,Elisa.You want me off the stage so you can have the

No.4

spotlight. You think if you embarrass Allena, you'll somehow win me back?"

He leaned in, his face inches from hers. "It's pathetic.You're pathetic. And you need to understand your place. It's not on that stage."

Elisa stared at him. The sheer, impenetrable wall of his arrogance was breathtaking. He truly believed this was about her wanting him. He couldn't fathom a world where she simply wanted to destroy a liar.

She took a step back, the last ember of hope in her chest extinguishing with a soft,final hiss.

"I understand perfectly," she said, her voice completely devoid of emotion.

"August!" Allena's voice called out from down the hall. She had changed into a stunning white dress,looking every inch the angelic victim. She walked toward them, a bright smile on her face, "Are you done? They need us in makeup!"

No.5

August's expression instantly smoothed over, He turned to Allena, his eyes softening. "I'm done," he said.

He offered Allena his arm. She took it, deliberately looking at Elisa as she snuggled closer to him. "Don't let her get to you, baby," Allena said loudly enough for Elisa to hear. "She's just jealous."

August didn't look back at Elisa. He simply walked away, Allena glued to his side.

Elisa watched them go. She didn't feel angry. She didn't feel hurt. She felt a profound, chilling clarity.

She pulled out her phone and typed a message to Jewel.

Plan B is a go.

No.6

The reply was instantaneous.

Control room is ready. Let's burn them down.

Elisa then slipped her hand into her briefcase and pulled out a small, featureless black device, no bigger than a credit card. She attached it to the back of her phone. A simple interface appeared on the screen, showing a single, ominous button labeled 'Execute.' She pressed it without hesitation. A green progress bar began to fill, silently counting down to digital chaos.

Elisa turned and walked back into her dressing room.She closed the door, locking it with a soft click. She sat down at the vanity and opened her briefcase.Inside, nestled among her legal pads, was a thick sheaf of papers.

It was the Allena Sinclair dossier. The raw data. The lies.

She picked it up, her fingers tracing the red highlights she had made. She had tried to warn him.She had tried to save him from himself.

No.7

Now, she would just save herself.