Grayson’s POV

Grayson knew the press wouldn’t let this scandal die down easily. Sinclair Enterprises was already under scrutiny, and now, with Isla at the center of a media storm, the situation had escalated beyond what he had anticipated.

The only way to get ahead of the narrative was to control it.

Seated in his office, he leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled as he listened to Elena, his assistant, run through the latest updates.

“The board is restless,” she said, her tone clipped but professional. “Some members are worried this could affect our partnerships. A few investors have started asking questions.”

Grayson exhaled sharply. “Of course, they have.”

Elena hesitated. “There’s also… Victoria.”

His jaw tightened at the mention of her name. “What about her?”

“She’s been talking to some of the board members. Not directly opposing you, but—”

“But planting doubts,” he finished, his voice cold.

Elena gave a curt nod.

Victoria Langley was too smart to make an outright move against him. No, she preferred the subtle approach—whispers behind closed doors, sowing the kind of uncertainty that could be far more dangerous than direct confrontation.

He glanced at the time. Isla would be arriving soon. They needed to go over their next steps.

This was a war on multiple fronts. And he wasn’t about to lose.

---

Isla’s POV

Walking into Sinclair Enterprises after the scandal broke felt like stepping onto a battlefield.

The stares. The whispers. The barely concealed smirks from people who were just waiting for her to crack.

But Isla Carter didn’t break.

She lifted her chin, ignoring the buzz of gossip as she strode toward Grayson’s office. The only way to silence rumors was to prove them wrong.

When she entered, she found Grayson standing by the window, his back to her. He turned as soon as the door clicked shut behind her.

“You’re late,” he said.

She arched a brow. “Traffic.”

He didn’t press further. Instead, he gestured toward a chair. “We need to talk.”

She sat, crossing one leg over the other. “Damage control. Let’s hear it.”

Grayson studied her for a moment before speaking. “I’ve arranged an exclusive interview. We control the narrative—set the record straight.”

Isla frowned. “Won’t that just fuel the media frenzy?”

“Not if we handle it correctly.” He leaned forward. “We make it clear that this is nothing more than a baseless scandal meant to discredit you and weaken Sinclair Enterprises.”

She tapped her fingers against the armrest. “And what if they ask about us?”

His lips curled slightly. “Then we give them nothing.”

Isla exhaled slowly. This was risky, but it was their best shot.

She met his gaze. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

A flicker of something unreadable passed through Grayson’s eyes. Approval? Amusement? She wasn’t sure.

But one thing was certain—this was far from over.

And Isla had a feeling the next battle was just around the corner.