Chapter 6 Pawn 1

Rachael sat in her cramped apartment, scrolling through her phone, her pulse quickening as she read the comments under the video. It wasn't viral, not yet. But she could feel the storm brewing. The comments were already flying fast, a mixture of people expressing outrage and others mocking Ashley's behavior. She knew this was just the beginning. She had to find out more.

She typed "Ashley Brooke" into the search bar and hit enter. Her eyes narrowed as the first articles popped up. Ashley's PR team was working overtime there were multiple stories about how the video had been "manipulated" and how they were doing everything to keep it from going public. But it was only a matter of time. The leaks were already starting.

This is it, Rachael thought. It's all going to explode soon.

Her thoughts immediately turned to Ethan. Is that why he came back into my life? To get revenge? It made sense. he was there that night. He knew everything. Had he seen an opportunity and taken it? Rachael felt a sinking feeling in her gut, and she couldn't ignore the growing suspicion. She had to talk to someone.

She reached out to Daisy. The phone rang three times before Daisy picked up.

"Rach? What's going on?" Daisy's voice was laced with concern.

"I'm in deep shit," Rachael said, her voice tense. "I don't know who leaked the video, but it's about to go viral. It's already getting out of control. People are starting to talk."

"Did you leak it?" Daisy asked bluntly.

Rachael's blood boiled. "What the hell? No! I didn't leak it!"

Daisy was quiet for a moment before responding cautiously, "Look, if you did, you need to be honest. If it was you-"

"I didn't fucking leak shit !" Rachael snapped, feeling her frustration rise. "Don't you get it? I'm already dealing with enough. I'm trying to figure out who's behind this, and you're asking if I leaked it?"

"I just need you to be careful, Rach. If you didn't leak it, then stay low for a bit, okay? Things are going to get worse before they get better."

Rachael's pulse thrummed in her ears. Stay low? She clenched her jaw, her hands shaking. "Fine. I'll stay low. I don't need your advice right now."

Daisy hesitated, but then she said softly, "Okay. Just... be careful."

Rachael switched of her phone and got undressed, Stepped into the shower and just eased herself of the tension.

The next morning, the video was everywhere. The notifications on Rachael's phone had exploded, there were messages from co-workers, some expressing concern, others clearly enjoying the chaos. She could see it-colleagues she barely knew were in the comments: "I know her. She works in one of Blackwood's departments. She's an intern."

The weight of those words hit her like a slap. Within two hours, reporters had already managed to dig up her name, her LinkedIn profile, and even details about her position at Blackwood. She barely had time to breathe before her phone started ringing with calls from unknown numbers, and texts from journalists asking her about the incident.

She was flooded with messages asking the same thing: "What happened that night? Was Ashley really that angry? Can you tell us what went down?"

Rachael's stomach churned. She couldn't speak to them, she couldn't risk it. But they wouldn't stop.

At work, Rachael felt the eyes on her as she entered the building. She couldn't escape the feeling of being trapped, like every glance was a silent judgment. Her phone buzzed again, this time with an unexpected notification from HR.

Rachael's hand trembled as she opened the email. The subject line read: "URGENT: Legal Action Against You." Her throat tightened as she read the message.

"Ms. Harper, this is to inform you that Ms. Ashley Brooke has filed a formal lawsuit against you for defamation. She is demanding $3 million in damages."

Rachael's breath caught in her throat. $3 million. It was more money than she could ever fathom. She had nothing close to that amount, she could never pay it. The thought of draining her savings, of losing everything, was unbearable. And what about her mom? The medical bills? If she had to pay this, her mother's treatment was out of the question. Her mom would die. Rachael's stomach twisted in knots.

She walked over to HR department.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She knew this moment was coming, but it didn't make it any easier to swallow. She turned to Claudia, who was watching her with a smug expression.

"Good luck with that, sweetheart," Claudia said, her voice low and mocking. "I'd say 'hope you get off easy,' but I'm not feeling that generous today."

Rachael took a deep breath and walked to HR's office, her mind spinning. What the hell had she gotten herself into?

When she arrived, she was ushered into a small room, the air thick with tension. The HR manager, a middle-aged woman named Janet, sat at a desk, her face pinched with concern.

"Ms. Harper," Janet began, her voice steady but stern, "We've received a complaint from Ms. Brooke regarding the video that was released. She claims it has damaged her reputation and caused harm to her career. We're investigating the matter."

Rachael's jaw clenched. "I didn't leak the video," she said firmly. "I don't know how it got out, but I can assure you, I had nothing to do with it."

Janet nodded, tapping a pen against the desk. "We're not making any accusations, Ms. Harper, but we need to look into all possibilities. If it turns out you did release the video, you could be in violation of company policy."

"I didn't," Rachael said, her voice low but steady.

Janet's gaze softened slightly. "I understand, but we have to take this seriously. Please refrain from discussing the matter further. We'll let you know if we need any additional statements."

Rachael left HR feeling numb. The weight of the complaint felt like a physical burden, pressing down on her chest. She knew Ashley would retaliate, she was nothing if not vicious when her image was on the line. But what could Rachael do to protect herself? She didn't have the power or influence to fight back on her own.

"God why" rachael said under her breath, her voice shaky with anxiety as she approached her desk. She saw another woman, clearly waiting for her to return, also corporately dressed. She looked unfamiliar, but her expression was serious. "Rachael Harper? Mr. Deevin Blackwood is outside in the private parking lot waiting to speak with you."

Rachael's heart skipped a beat. Deevin Blackwood? She didn't even know how to process that information. Why would he want to see her?

With no time to waste, she stood up and followed the woman down the hall, her mind reeling. As she reached the parking lot, her breath caught in her throat. Deevin's car was parked in the middle, surrounded by several Blackwood security personnel. The car itself was a sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom, its polished surface gleaming under the sunlight. The security around it was nearly suffocating, men in dark suits scanning the area.

A security guard opened the door for her, and she hesitated before stepping inside. She couldn't shake the fear that something was off, that this wasn't just a meeting but some kind of trap. Rachael quickly sent a message to Daisy, sharing her location.

But before she could hit send, Deevin's voice came from inside the vehicle, cold and commanding. "That won't be necessary."

Rachael froze, her fingers pausing over the screen.

"I'm a busy man, Harper," Deevin continued, his voice smooth, almost too calm. "I'm not taking more than fifteen minutes of your time."

Rachael hesitated for another moment, then stepped inside, closing the door behind her. The interior of the car took her breath away. It was like nothing she'd ever seen. sleek, polished leather seats in deep black, brushed metal accents, and soft ambient lighting. The scent of expensive leather filled the air. The plushness of the seat wrapped around her, and the quiet hum of the engine sent an electric buzz through her veins. She felt out of place, like an intruder in a world far removed from hers.

Deevin was sitting across from her, wearing dark aviator sunglasses, his sharp features set in an expressionless mask. He looked every bit the part of a powerful man, his tailored suit crisp and flawless, the fabric of the jacket hugging his broad shoulders.

"I'm sure you've seen the video by now, quite the fame you have Rachael." Deevin said, breaking the silence. He didn't look at her, his fingers lightly tapping on the armrest.

Rachael's pulse quickened, and her temper flared. "I didn't leak it," she blurted, defensive before he could finish.

Deevin's lips curled into a smirk. "I know."

Rachael's mind spun as she stared at him, disbelief flooding through her. "What the hell? Then why are you..."

"I did," he interrupted, his eyes narrowing just slightly as he met her gaze. "I leaked it."

Rachael's stomach dropped. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You?" she managed to say through clenched teeth.

"why?"

"honestly i don't want to know"

She asked almost immediately after

"why don't you tell your precious girlfriend that?. Do you have any idea what I'm facing right now? I'm being sued for $3 million!"

Her voice grew louder, the anger bubbling over.

Deevin's expression remained unreadable, his voice as calm and smooth like velvet. "Watch your tone, Harper."

She bristled at the sharp command, but Deevin simply looked at her, his calmness unnerving.

"Rachael darling," Deevin said, his voice dropping into a low, authoritative tone.

"I can make this all go away. I'll protect you from this lawsuit, everything, just sign the agreement and poof..." he snapped his fingers on cue, "everything's gone" he pouted to tease her.

Rachael's mind raced. "Why does it have to be me to go through this"

She searched his face for some sign, but all she saw was the cold, calculated gaze of a man who always seemed to be in control.

"You're offering me protection?"

she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"For something you did ?"

"Precisely, Only if you sign that agreement" he said mockingly. "You have eight hours left to decide. After that, the offer is gone."

Rachael's heart raced. Eight hours. She could feel the weight of the decision bearing down on her.

"what did I do to you ?"

"What do you want from me"

"You want me to apologize for that night?"

"Or to your girlfriend ?"

Rachael asked as tears began to roll down her cheeks

"That's Italian leather love, don't stain it" deevin said with a grin, ignoring her pleas

"I think you're a coward" she spurted

"is it sex"

"is it...?"

Rachael asked, her eyes wide open and jaws Clenched, longing for a response"

Deevin smiled for the first time

"Sex sounds like a good idea, But I'm afraid your fifteen minutes is up."

His smile disappeared as suddenly as it appeared

"Get out".

He said, this time more firmly rather than soft.

"huh ?"... Rachael was perplexed.

The car door opened, and she was escorted out, her mind a blur of confusion.

As she stepped out, trying to wipe her tears and control her anger, she couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at her. She had eight hours. Eight hours to make a choice that could change everything.