Chapter 161

Chapter 161
Rhett's POV

I found Sheryl in the kitchen having breakfast. My plate waited in the space beside her, as if this were just another ordinary morning. As if we hadn't fought last night. As if she hadn't mentioned divorce. For a moment, I wondered if I'd dreamed the whole thing.

"Feeling better about us today?" I asked, studying her face for tells.

She didn't glance up, continuing to eat her breakfast.

After washing up, I sat at the table when a headline caught my eye:
[Ross Group Chairman's Wife: The Mistress Who Became the Wife?]
[Was the Death of Ross Group Chairman's First Wife Connected to the Current Mrs. Ross?]

The article featured blurred photos of a naked couple. Despite the pixelation, it was clearly a younger Robert Ross with Christine.

Sheryl barely looked at it before returning to her breakfast with remarkable composure.

"One crisis after another for Ross Group," I observed, watching her closely. "These leaks could devastate the company."

She continued cutting her bacon without pause. "Ross Group has nothing to do with me, or with you. Don't concern yourself with it."

"Sheryl, these consecutive events, are you—"

"Don't ask." She cut me off before I could finish, her knife making a sharp sound against the plate. "Some questions should remain unasked."

I leaned back, a practiced half-smile forming. "So I'm supposed to stand by and watch the fireworks?"

"Why get involved?" she countered, her eyes finally meeting mine. "It had nothing to do with you.?"

The accusation in her tone was unmistakable. Business was business, family was family—but this felt personal.

"Is this why you're so eager to distance yourself from me?" I asked, leaning forward. "Because of whatever you're planning for Ross Group?"

Something flashed in her eyes before she stood. "I told you not to ask."

I caught her wrist, my grip firm but careful. "Alright. I won't ask." I softened my voice, a tactic I'd mastered in countless negotiations. "You must have your reasons."

She looked at me with unexpected sincerity. "Rhett, Ross Group doesn't need your help. And neither do I."

I smiled faintly, taking both her hands in mine. "You think I'd be helping Ross Group? Everything I've ever done for them was because of you."

Sheryl's POV

I know Rhett won't agree to divorce easily. Making a scene won't help. Perhaps I can only leave after finishing what I started.

Thinking about eventually parting with him still hurts. I've loved him for two years but never received equal love in return—only lies wrapped in silence.

Since I'm leaving anyway, I decided to peacefully spend these final days together, closing this chapter calmly. Besides, letting Rhett believe I've dropped the divorce talk will make him relax his guard.

Those scandalous photos of Robert and Christine? I deliberately leaked them last night. My own small gift to their perfect marriage.

I had just finished breakfast when the landline rang. Martha answered, then rushed to the dining room. "Mrs. Hayes, it's William from Ross Mansion for you."

That they'd called the landline showed the chaos unfolding at Ross Mansion. I'd turned off my cell phone last night to force exactly this.

William's anxious voice came through the receiver. "Miss, terrible news! Ross Group is in trouble!"

"What happened?" I asked, injecting concern into my voice while feeling nothing but cold satisfaction.

"Scandalous photos of Mr. Ross and Mrs. Ross have appeared online, affecting the company's stock. Mr. Ross's blood pressure spiked, and he just collapsed!"

"How awful! I'll be right over."

After hanging up, I went upstairs to change clothes.

Rhett caught my hand. "Should I come with you?"

I shook my head, reaching up to straighten his tie. "If you come, you'll end up helping whether you want to or not."

If Rhett went, he would become Robert's hope. And I intended to extinguish that hope. Just as he had extinguished my mother's years ago.

Robert's POV

The Ross Mansion has devolved into absolute chaos. In my fury, I've smashed half the objects in the main hall.

"My God, how could this happen?" Rebecca stands clutching her phone, pacing frantically. "Where did these photos come from? Who's trying to destroy us?"

I can't figure out how these photos leaked. Though I hate to admit it, that's definitely me and Christine in them.

"Robert, calm down." Christine offers me water and medication. "Don't make yourself ill."

"What good will medicine do?" I knock the glass from her hand. "The scandal is everywhere! I've lost all face!"

Ross Group's stock has barely recovered from the previous controversy before plummeting again. We've received dozens of partnership terminations.

"Miss Sheryl has arrived, sir," William said, relief evident in his voice. But I felt a momentary flicker of dread. Had my eldest daughter come to witness my humiliation firsthand?

"Thank God you're here!" William continued. "Mr. Ross nearly collapsed earlier. His blood pressure is dangerously high, and he's refused all medication."

Before Sheryl could respond, Rebecca's shrill voice cut through the hall.

"Why are you even here?" she demanded, pointing an accusatory finger. "Come to enjoy the show? To watch Father's company burn?"

Sheryl's gaze was cold steel. "I'd shut up if I were you."

"Am I wrong?" Rebecca advanced toward her half-sister. "Seeing these photos of my mother must be quite satisfying for you. But let me tell you something—she was never a homewrecker!"

"Enough!" My voice thundered through the room. "Is this what we need right now? More family drama?"

I could feel my face turning an unhealthy shade as I looked at Sheryl. My eyes couldn't quite meet hers. I was suddenly terrified she was here to finally confront me about Margaret—about what really happened all those years ago.

"Sheryl, about these photos—"

"They're fake, Father." She interrupted me, stepping forward. "I've already had experts analyze them. They're using AI to generate these images. It's a deliberate attack on Ross Group."

I stared at her, momentarily stunned. "Fake?"

Christine and Rebecca exchanged surprised glances.

She turned to me with unexpected urgency. "Father, you need to have PR issue an immediate denial. Tell the public these nude photos are fabricated—that disgusting couple isn't you and Christine."

Her choice of words made Christine flinch beside me. I felt my jaw tighten. But instead of protesting, Christine quickly composed herself.

"Robert, Sheryl's right," she said, nodding vigorously. "This must be AI. People can create anything with technology these days. Someone clearly wants to destroy Ross Group."

"Absolutely," Rebecca chimed in. "Father, we need PR on this immediately."

The photos were real—we all knew it. But denial was our only option now. The scandal existed; we could only minimize the damage.

After a moment's consideration, I nodded. "William, contact PR immediately. We categorically deny the authenticity of these images. Spare no expense in containing this."

William hurried away to make the calls.

"Don't worry, Father," Sheryl said, her voice softer now. "Once we control the narrative, this will eventually die down." She sighed, glancing out the window. "But Ross Group's losses will be substantial. Stabilizing public opinion requires significant capital."

My temples throbbed. The finance department had called three times that morning. Our cash flow was critically low, and with over a dozen partnership terminations, we were approaching financial catastrophe.

Sheryl studied my face, seeing the calculation behind my exhaustion. "I may have a solution."

We moved to my study—the one room in the mansion that remained untouched by my earlier rage.

"You want the stock transfer document Kenneth Hayes left for you?" I ask, studying her face.

This document had resided in my safe for years. Kenneth had assured me all procedures were completed—Sheryl would only need to sign to claim her shares of Hayes Enterprise.

"Father, you know Hayes Enterprise stock means nothing to me. But now, only Hayes Enterprise can save Ross Group."

She speaks with calculated precision. "Ross Group desperately needs cash flow, or everything collapses. Only if I sign Uncle Kenneth's stock transfer can I convince Rhett to inject capital."

I deliberate carefully. Giving Sheryl these shares would make Rhett a Ross Group shareholder with decision-making power. Yet without his resources, we face bankruptcy.

"Do you truly want to help me?" I ask, searching her eyes.

"Of course," she smiles. "You're my only family. If I don't help you, who would I help?"

I retrieve the manila envelope from my safe. "I never imagined you'd use these shares to rescue Ross Group."

As she leaves with the document, I exhale heavily, my chest tight with unspoken suspicions.

An hour later, William bursts in with terrible news. Major influencers are confirming the photos' authenticity, even revealing when and where they were taken.

The mansion's phone rings. William answers, then turns to me with a shocked expression.

"It's for Mrs. Ross... They're... thanking her for the leak."