Elena Harper's hospital vigil shattered at Mia's ping, Victor's office feed beaming Ethan's "emails"—timestamps pristine, scripting leaks from Julian's first scandal whisper. Forged? Elena's lawyer instincts screamed yes, but optics bled poison. Julian Reyes gripped the bedrail white-knuckled, fresh from half-sister Riley's tearful embrace, now staring down his brother like a stranger.
"Ethan," Julian rasped, voice edged razor from painkillers. "Hired Lila Voss knowing Vic's game?"
Ethan Black—manager, brother, anchor—froze doorway, face ashen under fluorescent glare. "Framed. Check metadata—Mia's already on it." He tossed his phone; screen glowed with Vic's holding cell ping: *"Switch live. Brother's the leak king. Enjoy the fall."*
Riley Voss—Julian's newly unearthed half-sister, sharp-eyed PA spawn—snatched it, fingers flying. "Vic's signature VPN. Bounced through my mom's old login. Bastard's mocking us." Her laugh bitter, echoing Dad's old flings Lydia had whispered of earlier. Fractured family, bound by blood and betrayal.
Lydia—Elena's mom, gaunt frame steadied by IV fluids nearby—whispered, "Vic twists kin like knives. Did it to me."
Cops swarmed hall, warrant clutched: "Mr. Black—emails tie to deepfake origins. Come quiet."
Ethan's eyes met Julian's—plea raw. "Protected the brand. Leaks controlled damage." Handcuffs clicked; dragged out. Julian slumped, wound throbbing fresh red through bandages.
Elena knelt bedside, hand cupping his jaw. "We'll prove it. Like Dalton." Lips brushed his—anchor in storm. "Public hearing tomorrow. We fight visible."
***
Dawn convened the media trial circus: federal courthouse ballooned with gallery overflow, paps barricaded outside, satellite trucks humming. Elena led the unofficial prosecution charge, bar provisionally reinstated by Victor's emergency petition. Judge Harlan—Victor's old golf buddy—banged gavel over roar: "Lang remanded. Vance cooperating. Black detained pending forensics. Proceed."
Spotlights seared as Elena took podium, dossier heavy. "Vic Lang orchestrated Reyes' ruin: deepfakes, moles, planted scandals. Evidence seized—therapy forgeries, Dalton ties proving Harper sabotage." Screens lit: warehouse confession synced to Dalton ledgers—her near-disbarment his cover for murder witness silencing.
Sophia Vance shuffled to stand, orange jumpsuit swallowing faded glamour, immunity microphone amplifying. "Vic scripted my 'victim' arc—hoax pregnancy, paid witness. Forced me." Lies cracked under cross: "Reyes? Clean. Grudge from role theft." Jury leaned; deepfake expert demoed gala glitch live—witness face melting algorithmic.
Julian wheeled forward, testimony unflinching despite pallor. "Lang's playbook: grudge eternal. Took my start, aimed for my life." Gallery murmurs swelled; first public alliance crystallized—his hand sought Elena's across witness box, fingers lacing defiant amid flashes. Chemistry crackled electric, whoops rippling stands.
Vic chained at defense, eyes venom-laced. "Harper witch. Black sold leaks—check real drives." Smirk faltered at forensics update: Mia's voiceover debunked emails—Vic's VPN overlay.
Recess hit like thunder. Outside steps, joint interview ambush: mics thrust, questions baying. Elena fielded crisp: "Justice incoming. Lang's empire falls." Julian pulled her waist-close, lips temple-grazing. "Team unbreakable." Flashes exploded; hands lingered possessive, world witnessing thaw.
Netizens pulsed faint:
"#ReyesHarperHands—official now?"
***
Ethan's detention cell feed patched to war room—Victor's firm, Elena/Julian side-by-side, Riley syncing drives, Lydia poring old ledgers. "Forensics clear me," Ethan growled through glass. "Vic's plant: mole in my office. Lila Voss—Riley's mom—final cut."
Riley stiffened. "Mom? Dead six months. Overdose. Vic pushed her—agency debts."
Lydia gasped. "Same as your dad. Gambling spiral."
Clue cracked open: Lila's "suicide" note scanned—Vic's handwriting trace. Elena's mind raced. "He killed the trail. Blackmailed her leaks, then silenced."
Julian's phone buzzed—Riley's contact. "Talk. Family?"
Riley nodded wary. "Half-blood pact. Find the mole."
Victor's growl cut: "Execs greenlight presser—Reyes cleared, Harper lead counsel retained. But Black's optics tank agency stock."
Ethan via speaker: "Cut me loose. Go undercover—nail Vic's last string."
Deal struck. Julian exhaled, Elena's hand steadying. "Brother redeems."
***
Night blanketed private penthouse recovery suite—Julian propped, Elena curled beside, first public date sealed in candlelight room service. "Interview chemistry? Real," he murmured, fingers tracing her collarbone. "Love you, ice queen."
"Love you, hero fool." Lips met slow—heat building deliberate, hands rediscovering post-hospital bounds. Shirts shed gentle around bandages; touches mapped scars, breaths tangled urgent. Passion reignited full—bodies aligning fervent, gasps echoing trust rebuilt. Worlds fused intimate, fears suspended.
Afterglow hummed; Elena traced his half-sister tattoo idea sketched napkin. "Riley integrates?"
"Family expands." Smile soft.
But Mia burst digital: "New ping—Victor's PI: mole ID'd. Agency insider, Marcus Kane's plant. Bigger fish."
Julian tensed. "Kane? Media titan. Vic's boss?"
Penthouse secure line lit—unknown voice: "Reyes bloodline next. Half-sister's turn."
Riley's apartment feed hacked live: shadows moving.
Mole unmasked. Empire deeper.
Who was Marcus Kane? And Riley's peril?