Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 94

Richard's

pov.

I couldn't breathe. Not because I was scared-though I was-but because everything felt like it was crashing down all at once.

The phone call came in the middle of the morning when everything should've been calm. But that was never how it worked anymore, was it? The network had found its way into my life, into everything I cared about, and now they were making their move.

"Mr. Wright," the voice on the other end of the line was cold, too cold for comfort. "We have information that suggests your business dealings aren't as clean as you claim."

I barely heard the rest of the words. My mind was already racing, already trying to figure out who had leaked what. What had they found? What were they planning to do with it?

I ended the call quickly, staring at the phone screen. My thoughts were a blur, but one thing stood out clearly: they were targeting me. My business.

My reputation. It felt like everything I had built was suddenly crumbling, and I couldn't stop it.

I didn't have time to think about that now, though. I had to act fast. I threw on a jacket and headed out to the office. I needed to find out what was going on before it spiraled any further.

The moment I stepped inside, I was hit with chaos. My assistant was on the phone, her voice frantic. I could hear her trying to calm someone down, but it was useless. Everyone in the office was on edge. "What's happening?" I asked, trying to stay calm as I walked into my office.

"Sir, we've got a problem," Marta said, barely looking up. "There's a scandal brewing. Someone's digging into your past, and they've got something-something big."

I ran a hand through my hair. This wasn't just a random leak. This was coordinated, and deliberate. They were out to destroy me.

I opened my laptop and went straight to the news sites. There it was, front and center. My face. My company's name. And the headline was like a punch to the gut. "Richard Winters Linked to Shady Deals: A Look at the Businessman's Dark Past"

My mind was racing too fast.

forced into when I was younger. Everything was suddenly on display, twisted into something

slammed the laptop shut, my chest tightening. "How could they..." I muttered to myself. But it didn't

bad. Really bad. The network was trying

they didn't know me. Not really. They thought I was the same scared kid who'd stepped into my

I

At any moment, the media could storm in and cause

as I grabbed the office phone. This was my company, my reputation, and I wasn't about to let anyone turn

Security on the line," I snapped to Marta, who was still on her own call. She glanced at me, worry etched all over her face, but she nodded and

said, trying to keep my voice steady. "No one from the press gets in. Not a single reporter, cameraman, anyone even remotely connected

not letting this blow

Marta. "Call in the publicists. I need them

their way, Mr. Wright," she replied, though

and on edge. They glanced at one another, then at me, their faces asking the questions they didn't dare speak. I cut through the silence. "Here's what we need to do. The media will be outside soon, hungry for a statement," I began, rubbing a hand

not going to run from this story. But we need a strong, smart response. Something that convinces people this is nothing but

the senior publicists, Lisa, leaned forward. "We could address the claims head-on, and make it clear that

my past has been resolved professionally. We'll push back on any rumors that make me out to be... well, anything less." The team set to work, murmuring ideas back and forth, and debating word choices and strategies. I could feel my heart beating fast, like it was waiting for

I'd ignored that day, his and Sarah were the ones I couldn't afford to miss. I raised a finger to

to sound steady. "I

too quiet. "I'm not calling just as your

took a breath. "Go on. What are they

and I could almost hear him choosing his words carefully. "The network's found a way to target your reputation. They're bringing up everything from your past business deals, Richard. Things you might not even remember or even care about, but it's enough to paint a

my spine. "Yeah...I know. They're digging up deals I did years ago. Things

"They're claiming these deals were corrupt from the