CHAPTER 80

CHAPTER 80

ETHAN’S POV

“What the hell…” I muttered under my breath, biting back the urge to lose it completely. The heat in my blood matched the rising frustration boiling in my chest. “What do you mean she’s not seeing anyone today?”

“I’m sorry, sir,” the secretary said, her tone clipped and polite, though it felt more like mockery than manners. “Miss Duran isn’t taking any meetings at the moment. You’ll have to wait until she’s available.”

“I already booked an appointment,” I said, trying to keep my composure, though it was slipping fast. “Under the name Ethan Ward. She knows I’m coming. So why am I standing here waiting like an idiot?”

“I understand your concern, Mr. Ward,” she said, feigning sympathy. “But Miss Duran’s schedule is unpredictable. She decides who she sees, and when.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “So basically, she makes her own rules.”

The woman gave a stiff smile. “Exactly.”

I rubbed my temples and glanced at the clock. Thirty-five minutes. That’s how long I’d been standing there. Valerie Duran was testing me. And I knew it.

“Fine,” I said, forcing a thin smile. “Tell her Ethan Ward’s here. Again.”

The secretary didn’t move. “You’ll have to wait another hour, sir. Miss Duran hasn’t decided if she’ll see you today.”

That was it.

“Are you serious right now?” I snapped. “I booked this meeting weeks ago. I’m not some random guy off the street. Either you get her on the phone right now, or—”

“Or what, Ethan?”

The familiar voice cut through the air behind me. Calm. Smooth. Controlled.

I turned. Valerie Duran stood at the top of the stairs, the kind of confident smile that could both charm and cut at the same time painted across her face.

“Threatening my staff now?” she asked, stepping down slowly, her heels clicking against the marble floor. “I didn’t think you’d sink that low.”

“Maybe if your staff didn’t act like security guards, I wouldn’t have to,” I said flatly. The sound of her voice alone was enough to drag memories I’d spent years trying to bury.

“Relax, Ethan,” she said lightly. “I was only curious to see how much patience you had left.”

“Congratulations. You found my limit,” I said. “Now can we talk? Or do I need to wait another hour for your approval?”

Valerie smirked and brushed past her secretary. “Rhea, take a break. I’ll handle this one myself.”

“Yes, Miss Duran,” the woman replied quickly, shooting me a smug look before disappearing.

Valerie’s perfume trailed behind her as she walked toward the glass doors of her office. “You’ve changed,” she said without looking back. “Still arrogant, but a little less charming.”

“Not sure that’s a compliment,” I muttered.

“Depends on how you take it.”

I followed her into her office, a space that looked like it had been designed to intimidate. Dark walls, sleek glass, and a massive abstract painting that probably cost more than my car.

She turned, folding her arms. “So. What brings you here, Ethan Ward? Last time we spoke, you said you never wanted to see me again.”

I met her eyes. “This isn’t about you and me.”

Her smile sharpened. “It never is. Until it is.”

I ignored the jab. “Ariana’s scheduled for her first TV appearance in a week. I need you to host the interview.”

Valerie blinked, then laughed quietly. “You came all the way here to ask me for a favor?”

“Not a favor. A deal.”

She leaned against her desk, studying me like a puzzle she’d already solved. “You want me to help the woman you left me for. That’s rich.”

“This isn’t personal,” I said through clenched teeth. “Ariana needs a platform that will help rebuild her reputation. You’re the best in the business.”

Valerie tilted her head. “And what do I get out of this?”

“Exposure,” I said quickly. “The ratings will speak for themselves. People are still obsessed with Ariana’s story. You’d be the one who got the first exclusive.”

She considered that, her expression unreadable. “You really think she’s ready for that kind of heat?”

“She will be,” I said. “I’m making sure of it.”

“You mean you’re controlling everything, as usual.”

I frowned. “I’m managing her comeback, not controlling her.”

“Same thing,” she said with a shrug. “You always had a hard time letting people speak for themselves.”

I stepped closer. “Valerie, this isn’t about us. Can you do the interview or not?”

She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes cool and calculating. Then, slowly, she smiled. “You still remember how I like to be persuaded.”

I didn’t rise to the bait. “I’m serious.”

“So am I,” she said, her tone soft but pointed. “You want my help, you follow my terms. I’ll agree to do the interview, but I’m not sugarcoating it. No restrictions. No pre-approved questions.”

“That’s not going to happen,” I said immediately. “We agreed Ariana wouldn’t be ambushed on live TV.”

Valerie gave a low laugh. “We? Whose we, Ethan? You and your conscience? Or you and the woman you’re pretending to protect?”

Her words hit harder than I expected. “You always did like twisting things.”

“I just tell the truth,” she said. “And the truth is, you’re not doing this for her. You’re doing this for you.”

I looked away, jaw tight. “Believe what you want.”

She stepped closer, her voice lowering. “You’re still the same man who walked out on me with no explanation. And now, you’re standing in my office asking me to save your new girlfriend’s career.”

I met her eyes again. “You’re not that important to her story, Valerie. Don’t flatter yourself.”

That finally wiped the smile off her face. “Careful, Ethan. You’re treading close to a line.”

“Then maybe you should stop drawing them.”

Her gaze held mine for a long, tense moment. Then she turned and walked toward her desk, her heels clicking sharply.

“You have nerve,” she said finally. “But fine. I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I’m asking.”

“But there’s a catch,” she added, lowering herself into her chair. “You’ll owe me.”

I hesitated. “What do you mean?”

“You’ll find out when I decide to collect,” she said, her tone almost playful. “You always were good at debts, Ethan.”

I didn’t reply. I’d gotten what I came for, even if it meant playing her game again.

I turned to leave, but before I reached the door, she called out.

“By the way,” she said, her voice suddenly colder, “you should tell Ariana to watch her back.”

I froze. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Valerie smiled faintly. “Let’s just say some people are watching her a lot more closely than you think.”

I turned to face her, but she was already staring down at her computer, dismissing me with the click of a mouse.

The door closed behind me with a quiet thud, but her words wouldn’t leave my head.

If Valerie was right and she usually was then Ariana’s enemies were closer than either of us realized.

And whatever was coming next, we weren’t ready for it.