Chapter 32 Breaking Through
Olivia：POV
I spent the entire weekend buried in work, refusing to let my mind wander to anything—or anyone—else. Every time Blake's face popped into my head, or worse, every time I remembered how his lips felt against mine, I'd immediately pull up another spreadsheet, review another video cut, or dive deeper into market analysis.
Work had always been my safe space where emotions couldn't mess with me. And right now, with Jason's case moving through the courts and whatever the hell was happening with Blake, I needed that control more than ever.
At least the legal system was cooperating. Jason's case moved surprisingly fast. With drugging evidence, surveillance footage, witness statements, and Jason's own security cameras capturing the assault attempt, the DA had a rock-solid case. Jason was denied bail after the prosecution successfully argued he was both a flight risk and a danger to women.
The tabloids had a field day: "Tech Exec Faces 15-Year Sentence for Drugging and Assault Attempt on Cosmetics Heiress." Even the more respectable papers couldn't resist the story.
I refused to do interviews. My statement through Radiance's PR team was simple: [I'm grateful to law enforcement for their swift action and hope this case encourages other women to come forward when they are victimized. I'm now focused on my work and moving forward.]
And focused I was. The marketing campaign I'd been working my ass off on was entering its critical phase. Our mysterious teaser videos had created exactly the buzz I'd hoped for, and on Monday morning, I gathered my small team in our war room to launch the next phase.
"Today's the day we connect the dots for everyone," I announced, looking at the expectant faces around me. "The first reveal video goes live at noon."
Trevor pulled up the final cut on the main screen. We'd spent the weekend perfecting it—a beautiful three-minute piece that finally showed how the shea butter cooperative in Ghana connected directly to our new Luminous Moisture Cream.
The video opened with the same Ghanaian women we'd featured before, but this time the camera followed the harvested shea nuts through their traditional processing method, then transitioned to our lab where scientists carefully blended it with other natural ingredients. The narration tied it all together with poetic language about tradition meeting innovation, ending with our elegant glass jar being placed on recycled paper display.
"It's perfect," I said, feeling proud as hell. "Schedule the next three videos for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings."
"And the actual product launch?" Trevor asked, already knowing my answer.
"Online livestream event a week from this Friday evening as planned. Not a minute sooner."
He groaned. "The comments section is going to explode with people wanting to buy immediately. We're leaving money on the table, Olivia."
"We're building anticipation," I corrected him. "Trust me on this."
At precisely noon, we published the first reveal video across all platforms. I watched the view counter tick up in real-time, my stomach doing flips. Within minutes, comments started flooding in:
@GreenGlowGirl: OMG! I KNEW these videos were building to something! A sustainable moisture cream that helps the women who make the ingredients? TAKE MY MONEY
@BeautyBlogger44: This is marketing genius. I've been wondering about these videos for weeks. Radiance is redefining luxury beauty
@ConsciousConsumer: watched this 5 times already. "This is not just skincare—it's stewardship." That line alone makes me want to switch everything to Radiance
@TechBroNo: Came here from the Jason Jenkins scandal news expecting corporate BS, staying for what looks like genuine commitment to ethical practices
I winced at that last one—of course the Jenkins scandal would follow me—but the overwhelmingly positive response overshadowed any negativity. By mid-afternoon, #RadianceRevealed was trending.
On Wednesday, we released the second reveal video, showing how our wild rose farm in Oregon supplied the key ingredient for our new Rose Renewal Serum. Thursday's video connected the sustainable palm oil story to our Clearing Balm Cleanser, emphasizing how our sourcing practices preserved rainforest habitats.
By Friday morning, when we released the final video about New Zealand honey and our Honey Barrier Repair Mask, social media was in a complete frenzy. Our customer service team was overwhelmed with questions about release dates and pre-orders.
The comment section under the honey video was absolute madness:
@HoneyFanatic: I NEED THIS MASK! When can we buy?? The suspense is killing me
@SustainableSarah: This collection is everything. Genuine ethics + luxurious formulations = shut up and take my money
@BeautyIndustryInsider: As someone who works for a competitor, I have to give credit. This campaign raised the bar for everyone
@SkepticSally: idk seems too good to be true??? but if legit this is how beauty SHOULD work
In our war room, the energy was electric. The marketing team had data showing crazy engagement across all demographics. Trevor was practically vibrating with eagerness to capitalize on the momentum.
"Olivia, people are desperate to buy these products," he pleaded. "We have influencers literally begging for early access. Can't we at least start pre-orders this weekend?"
I stood firm. "We stick to the plan. Online livestream launch next Friday evening, then our big in-person launch event a month after that. Let's make them wait just a little longer."
He threw his hands up. "You're killing me! Do you know how many sales we're losing right now?"
"No, we're not," I said confidently. "The online launch will satisfy immediate demand, and by the time we do the physical event next month, the buzz will be even bigger. Trust the process."
For a moment, watching the numbers climb and the positive comments roll in, I felt something I hadn't felt in weeks—genuine pride that had nothing to do with proving anyone wrong or running from my feelings. This campaign was working because it was good. Because I was good at my job.
Then my phone buzzed with a text from Blake: [Saw the campaign. It's incredible. You're incredible.]
My chest tightened. I stared at the message for a long moment before deliberately setting my phone face-down on the table and turning back to my team.
"Okay, let's talk about the online launch logistics," I said, forcing my focus back where it belonged. "Trevor, walk me through the website's capacity for the traffic surge we're expecting."
Everything was in place for the digital launch: product inventory ready to ship, website prepared for the traffic surge, social media posts scheduled. The in-person event would be our chance to really make a statement in the industry—but for that, we needed the right spokesperson.
"The online launch can work without a celebrity endorsement," I explained to the team. "But for the big physical event next month, we need someone with serious star power. That's where our potential spokesperson comes in."
My phone buzzed again with a text from my assistant, Jen: [Zoe Reynolds has arrived. She's waiting in the executive lounge.]
Perfect timing. Zoe Reynolds was exactly who we needed—an A-list actress known for her environmental activism and her dedicated following among our target demographic. We had a full month to get her on board before the main event.
"I need to go meet our potential spokesperson," I told the team. "We've got next Friday's online launch locked down, and a full month to nail down our celebrity partnership for the big event. Let's use this time wisely and make sure every detail is perfect."
As I gathered my materials and headed toward the executive lounge, I felt my phone buzz one more time. I didn't need to check it to know it was probably Blake again.
Work first. Always work first.
That's what I kept telling myself, even as my traitorous heart skipped a beat at the thought of his message waiting unread in my pocket.