They said the internet moved fast. But Brooklyn didn't realize how fast — not until her name, her face, and her marriage license were plastered across every trending headline in the country by morning.
"BROOKLYN CARTER EXPOSED?"
"Carter Heiress or Gold-Digging Con?"
"Anonymous Source Claims Billionaire Marriage Was a Lie"
The media ate it up like candy.
But what Elias hadn't expected — was that Brooklyn had already planned her counterattack.
And this time?
She wasn't holding back.
---
Carter Enterprises – Crisis Room
Damien stood at the head of the long glass table, his expression sharp and controlled, but his hands were clenched tight behind his back.
Brooklyn sat beside him, phone in one hand, the other resting protectively on her growing belly. Grant, Vivienne, and the PR director were all present.
"Do we pull the press statement now?" the PR lead asked. "Or wait another 24 hours for legal backup?"
Brooklyn shook her head.
"No," she said. "We go now. We don't let Elias own the narrative for another second."
Vivienne tapped her tablet. "The post we're releasing includes real timestamps, legal documents, and the digital audio of Elias bribing Emmett."
Grant leaned forward. "We also added the Carter Global audit trail and the real marriage license Damien filed with the county. All clean. All traceable."
Brooklyn looked up at Damien.
"Let's do it," she whispered.
He nodded once.
"Post it."
---
An Hour Later – Online War
Brooklyn's post went live across every major platform:
> "To the public,
You've been fed a lie. This is the truth."
— Brooklyn Carter
Within minutes, her side of the story began to trend:
#IStandWithBrooklyn
#ExposeEliasCarter
#CarterTruth
The real marriage license showed a clear timeline. The audio clip made it undeniable.
> "Give her hell, Emmett. If she goes down, I'll pay you double." – Elias Carter
The public turned on him like wolves. Even Emmett's social accounts were flooded with hate and threats.
But Brooklyn wasn't done.
---
Meanwhile – Elias's Headquarters
Elias stared at the screen, watching the storm hit him in real-time.
He was losing.
And he hated losing.
"She outplayed you," the tech assistant muttered beside him.
Elias turned slowly, his eyes ice cold.
"What did you say?"
Before the man could respond, Elias smashed the laptop shut and stood.
"Get me something else," he snapped. "I don't care what it costs. I want her destroyed."
---
Brooklyn's Office – A Surprise Visitor
Later that evening, Brooklyn returned to her office for the first time since the smear campaign.
She needed to think.
To breathe.
She'd barely sat down when the door opened without a knock.
It was Vivienne.
But not alone.
Behind her stood a young woman — no older than 24 — with big brown eyes and nervous hands.
"This is Ana," Vivienne said quietly. "She used to work for Elias."
Brooklyn blinked. "And?"
Ana stepped forward, voice trembling.
"I know who he paid to break into Carter Enterprises."
Brooklyn stood. "Who?"
"Your assistant," Ana whispered. "Lena."
Brooklyn's jaw dropped.
Lena? Her quiet, sweet-tempered assistant who brought her tea every morning?
Vivienne nodded. "We have footage from three different nights. Lena used your security codes to enter Damien's private archive room."
Brooklyn sat down slowly.
"Why?"
"She was blackmailed," Ana said. "Elias found out about her brother — he's undocumented. He threatened to report him unless she helped him access the files."
Brooklyn's heart twisted. "Does Damien know?"
"Not yet. But I wanted to tell you first."
Brooklyn ran a hand over her face.
"He's going to want to fire her."
Vivienne nodded. "Or worse. Press charges."
Brooklyn looked out the window, the weight of it all pressing against her chest.
She could feel her baby kicking gently.
Soft reminders of the life inside her — the reason she kept fighting.
---
That Night – Brooklyn's Ultimatum
Later that night, Brooklyn stood in the living room of the penthouse, facing Damien.
"She was protecting her brother," she said. "You of all people should understand that."
Damien was pacing, his jaw locked. "She stole from us."
"No," Brooklyn corrected. "Elias stole from us. She was a pawn."
Damien paused, turning to her. "What do you want me to do? Just forgive her?"
Brooklyn's eyes didn't waver.
"I want you to be the man I married — the one who protects the innocent and punishes the guilty. Not the one who lashes out when scared."
Silence fell between them.
Damien walked toward her, his expression softening.
"I'm not scared," he whispered.
Brooklyn touched his chest.
"Yes, you are. And so am I. But we can't become Elias just because he threatens us."
Damien closed his eyes.
Then nodded.
"Lena keeps her job," he said. "But she's reassigned. No more access to sensitive data."
Brooklyn kissed him gently.
"Thank you."
---
Later – A Private Message
Brooklyn sat alone in the study, composing a private message on her phone.
To: [Lena]
> I know what you did.
And I know why you did it.
You're lucky I believe in second chances.
Don't make me regret it.
She hit send.
Moments later, a simple reply came back:
> "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Carter. I'll never betray your trust again."
Brooklyn leaned back in her chair, finally exhaling.
One fire put out.
But the war was far from over.
---
Closing Scene – A Hidden Camera Rolls
Across the city, in a dimly lit penthouse, a laptop recorded the screen of a surveillance feed.
It showed Brooklyn, sitting in her study, visibly exhausted.
The man behind the camera — Elias's new "ally" — zoomed in slowly.
He smiled.
"She thinks she's won," he said to no one.
"But the real secret…"
He clicked on a folder marked "PROJECT GRACE – Dam.Carter"
"…hasn't even been touched yet."