Chapter 5 Five

The overhead lights flickered violently before bursting back into radiant life, but the brief plunge into darkness had unleashed an upheaval. The once-ordered hearing room now teetered on the brink of chaos.

"Order! I demand order!" Commissioner Reyes's voice thundered, her gavel slamming down with fierce authority.

Jade sat frozen, a whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. That man who'd burst in-Julian Crest-now stood front and center. She recognized him instantly, a former consultant for the Dune Haven development team, ousted years ago for negligence and murky ethics. His appearance here was no mere coincidence; it was a calculated strike.

Beside her, Elliot maintained an unnerving calm, but under the table, his fingers drummed a jittery beat against the polished surface, betraying the unease simmering beneath his cool facade.

Reyes turned her steely gaze upon Julian. "Mr. Crest, your accusations are grave. If you possess evidence, present it properly. Otherwise, I will have you removed."

With a sly smirk, Julian placed a thick stack of documents on the commissioners' table, his movements theatrical, before addressing the crowd.

"Consider this," he purred, his voice dripping with insincerity, "why would a billionaire suddenly gain a conscience when it comes to environmental issues? And why would an idealistic environmental lawyer cast aside her ethics to become a trophy fiancée for a man like Drake?"

Gasps rippled through the audience. Cameras clicked like frenzied insects. Jade's stomach had dropped, her heart racing as she felt the weight of scrutiny settle on her.

Then, with effortless grace, Elliot stood up, radiating an authority that filled the room. "Commissioners," he declared, voice unwavering yet sharp, "Drake Industries not only welcomes examination-we demand it. Our environmental reports are backed by independent, certified experts. Any claims to the contrary are nothing but slander."

He shot Jade a quick, encouraging nod, and she knew it was time to respond. Rising confidently, she faced the room, her voice cutting through the tension.

"Moreover," she declared, clear and strong, "I stand by every single recommendation I've made. I performed my own independent assessments before entering this partnership. My reputation is my life, and I refuse to let anyone tarnish it with cheap theatrics!"

Reyes scrutinized them both, the weight of her gaze palpable, before finally nodding. "The board will review these documents. We will not tolerate such disruptions. Mr. Crest, you are excused."

Security moved in swiftly, and as Julian was escorted out, he cast one last, sinister glance at Jade, a smirk still etched on his face.

This battle was far from over. The war had only just begun.

The hearing wrapped up an hour later, leaving the fate of Julian's so-called "evidence" hanging in the balance. No decisions came easily, but Jade could feel a storm brewing.

Doubts had infiltrated the air like a chilling fog. If they didn't act fast, the entire project-and their precariously balanced engagement-could come crashing down before it ever had a chance to take flight.

Back in Elliot's suite, Jade was a whirlwind, pacing the living room like a lioness trapped in a cage.

"This was all planned," she hissed, her voice laced with urgency. "Someone is determined to sabotage this project-and they won't stop until they drag us through the mud!"

Elliot leaned against the windowsill, arms crossed, his expression sharp and calculating as he watched her. "It's not just the project at stake. It's you, too."

Jade stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

"Julian's stunt wasn't merely about uncovering environmental shortcuts. It was about framing you as the accomplice. The once-innocent advocate turned corporate traitor." His lips twisted in a grimace. "It's a cleaner story. Far more devastating."

She exhaled, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Fantastic."

In two strides, Elliot closed the distance between them, overwhelming her with his presence. His cologne wafted around her-sandalwood and the salty breath of the ocean-almost intoxicating.

"We have to seize control of this," he urged, intensity in his tone. "We need to shape the story."

Jade straightened her posture, determination flickering in her gaze. "And how do we do that?"

"An exclusive interview. Just you and me. Together. A transparent, united front." He cracked a grim smile. "We expose a bit of ourselves now-or risk being shattered later."

Jade hesitated, the notion of laying bare her personal motives for all to see gnawing at her. But the truth hit her like a lightning bolt: in the court of public opinion, silence reads like guilt.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "All right. But it's on my terms. No scripted lines. No corporate gloss."

Elliot's eyes sparkled with an intensity that bordered on admiration. "Deal."

The air between them crackled with new energy, the stakes raised higher than ever.

The next afternoon, the terrace sprang to life as a makeshift studio sprung into action, overlooking the sweeping dunes and crashing waves below. The air crackled with anticipation as Jade perched in a wicker chair beside Elliot, her heart racing in sync with the rolling cameras.

The reporter, a sharp-eyed woman from Coastal News Now, dove right in, her questions cutting through the salty breeze.

"Ms. Nguyen, there are many who are questioning your sudden alliance with Drake Industries. Some even label it as opportunism. What do you say to that?"

Jade leaned in, her gaze fierce as she locked eyes with the reporter-and the thousands who would be glued to their screens later.

"I didn't align with Drake Industries because it was the easiest route," she declared, passion igniting her voice. "I chose it because it's essential. This is our moment to set a bold new precedent. We can prove that development and conservation can coexist. I'd rather be in the arena, shaping the future, than shouting from the sidelines while everything unravels."

The reporter turned her probing gaze to Elliot. "And you, Mr. Drake? Why align with Ms. Nguyen?"

Elliot offered a slight, pensive smile. "Because she's the only one who didn't flinch when I revealed our reality. Time is slipping away. Pretending the old ways still work? That's a death sentence for places like Dune Haven." His eyes drifted to Jade, a flicker of sincerity in his expression. "Because she holds me accountable-and inspires me to be better."

Jade felt her breath hitch, unmoored by the unexpected honesty in his words. For a heartbeat, the vibe between them felt almost electric-the partnership, the engagement, the tantalizing potential for something deeper.

The reporter's next question sliced through the charged moment with razor precision.

"Final question: is your engagement genuine-or merely a strategic maneuver?"

Elliot's gaze flickered to Jade, a silent exchange sparking between them.

With resolve, Jade faced the camera, a thin smile playing on her lips. "Both."