Chapter 233: The Heiress and The Actor
The internet exploded.
Kate's gamble paid off in a big way when she managed to sell those candid parking lot photos to one of the gossip tabloids. Within hours, pictures of Jeanne and Ethan in that intimate looking clinch flooded social media and entertainment sites.
News outlets splashed headlines across their websites: "Heiress Caught Canoodling with Hollywood Heartthrob!" and "Sterling Marriage on the Rocks?"
On one side, a chorus of disapproval rose. Jeanne was branded a “cheater” and a "heartbreaker." Some felt sorry for Adrian, the “duped husband” still reeling from his mother's death.
Images of the stoic Adrian, grieving at the funeral, were attached with photos of the seemingly carefree Jeanne, fueling the narrative of a wronged husband.
How could the wealthy CEO betray her devoted husband Adrian like this, especially so soon after his mother's tragic passing?
The poor man deserved better.
But another side emerged, a surprising one. A significant portion of the online crowd focused on a different narrative; Jeanne and Ethan looked undeniably good together.
It was emphasized that Jeanne looked far happier and more vibrant in Ethan's arms than anyone had seen her in years.
Her coldly handsome husband clearly wasn't making her smile like that. Maybe the actor was simply a better romantic match.
Adrian paled in comparison to Ethan's warm smile and effortless charisma in Jeanne's presence. Comments like "She deserves to be happy" and "He looks way better for her" flooded the internet.
Meanwhile, Adrian himself stumbled across the viral pictures while still holed up at Sharon's place. His mouth dropped open seeing the intimate poses captured between his wife and the famous actor.
His initial shock morphed into a strange sense of elation. Rather than erupting in anger or jealousy, a slow smile stretched across Adrian's face.
This was it.
The escape hatch he had been desperately searching for. Here was his golden ticket out of his miserable sham of a marriage.
He found Sharon in the living room, a book abandoned in her lap. Her face, lit by a gentle smile as soon as she saw him. He thrust his phone at her, the damning photos burning into her retinas.
Sharon looked at the photos, her brow furrowed in confusion. But before she could decipher the scene, Adrian surprised them both.
He pulled Sharon flush against him. She gazed up at him with sparkling eyes as Adrian dipped his head to finally claim her lips in a long, smoldering kiss they had been denying themselves.
It was the first time he had kissed her since he came to her house.
Pulling away, he left Sharon speechless, his eyes gleaming with a newfound resolve.
"I'm going to see my lawyer," he declared. "This is it. I'm getting out of this marriage. And when I do," he added, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "I'm coming back for you, Sharon."
With one last knee weakening kiss, Adrian tore himself away and hurried out, energized by the prospect of breaking his shackles to build a real life with Sharon.
His steps were light, already drafting his announcement in his head. After today, there would be no more lies, no more deception, only the freedom to be with his Sharon at last.
***
The steamy photos of Jeanne and Ethan that spread like wildfire online had an unintended consequence; it ended up being an unexpected promotional boost for Ethan's latest movie release.
Suddenly, everyone wanted to go see the film starring the handsome actor who had seemingly caught the eye of the wealthy heiress.
The lewd headlines, screaming about the "Heiress and the Hollywood Hunk," piqued the public's curiosity. Moviegoers, both the genuinely intrigued and the simply nosy, flocked to the cinemas in droves.
Especially young women who were newly obsessed with Ethan.
Inside the darkened auditoriums, the pre-show chatter wasn't just about the previews. Whispers of "Is that really him?" and "They do look good together" filled the air.
Audiences watched with rapt attention any time Ethan's chiseled face graced the big screen. His smoldering good looks and magnetic screen presence took on new significance now that he was entangled with the city's most elite heiress.
Whispers and giggles inevitably rippled through the crowds during his intense romantic scenes.
"That's how he must look at her..."
"If I was Jeanne, I wouldn't be able to resist him either!"
"Did you see the way he touched her in those pictures? So hot!"
The movie itself, a lighthearted romantic comedy, became almost secondary to the real life drama unfolding offscreen. Every witty banter, every stolen glance between the onscreen couple, took on a new meaning, fueled by the rumors swirling around Ethan and Jeanne.
The movie ended, the credits rolling across the screen. The applause, however, was mixed with a smattering of boos and whistles. Whether the audience was expressing disapproval of the film or the drama surrounding its lead actor, it was hard to tell.
Social media went into overdrive, dissecting every frame of the movie for hidden clues about their "forbidden love".
People were either jealous or just excited to see the movie because of the rumors about Ethan and Jeanne. It didn't matter what the critics said, the movie was a huge hit because everyone wanted to see the "real-life couple" on screen.
Theater owners happily counted their profits, content to ride the wave of Ethan's abrupt notoriety for as long as it lasted. After years of struggling to make it big, this actor's love life drama finally shot him into the mainstream spotlight.
For Ethan, the sudden surge in ticket sales was a double edged sword. While he appreciated the extra publicity, the association with the scandal left a bitter taste in his mouth. He hoped audiences would appreciate his acting, not his personal life.
***
The doors of Everdeen Enterprises swung shut with a soft thud behind Adrian. Ignoring the curious glances of the office staff, he marched towards Jeanne's office, his heart a tangled mess of feelings.
He wasn't there to accuse, nor to fight.
Today, he wore the hat of a friend, someone who might understand the storm brewing on both sides of their fractured marriage.
He found Jeanne hunched over her desk, head buried in her hands. Her shoulders trembled with silent sobs, a clear difference to the composed image she usually projected.
A pang of sympathy shot through Adrian. This media frenzy must be taking its toll.
"Jeanne?" he said softly, peeping from the door.
She looked up, startled, her eyes red rimmed and puffy. Surprise crossed her face, followed by a wave of relief. Maybe, just maybe, Adrian was here to offer a lifeline.
"Adrian," she croaked. "Come in, please."
He closed the door behind him and walked towards her, stopping a respectful distance away.
"Can I get you anything?"
She shook her head, forcing a weak smile.
"No, thank you. I'm alright. Please sit." But her trembling hands and the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
He cleared his throat, unsure how to broach the subject. "I saw the pictures," he finally blurted out.
Jeanne flinched, a wave of shame washing over her.