Downstairs, Ezekiel loosened his tie as he walked into his study, Adam following him silently.
"She's settled," Adam reported. "She asked for nothing… except a laptop."
Ezekiel paused. "A laptop?" he repeated, confused. The lady had brought nothing but a small handbag; he had expected her to ask for more.
"Yes. I gave her one of our products."
Ezekiel turned and raised a brow. "Interesting."
Adam hesitated. "She locked herself in her room. No calls from friends, no crying about her condition. She seems focused on that laptop. I guess she's up to something."
Ezekiel walked toward the window, hands in his pockets. The city lights reflected faintly in his eyes. "She signed without arguing?"
"Yes, boss."
"She didn't complain about my soon-to-be wife?"
"Yes, boss. She's either very smart… or very dangerous."
Ezekiel didn't respond. After a moment, he spoke again. "Make sure her internet access isn't restricted."
Adam looked surprised. "Sir?"
"I said what I said." Ezekiel turned slightly. "If she plans to do something… I want to see it."
The next morning.
Linda sat on the edge of the bed, her phone resting in her hands as she scrolled absent-mindedly. She hadn't slept much. Her mind had been too busy, calculating, planning how to prevent herself from breaking every rule she had signed under Ezekiel Lane's name.
Then suddenly… a notification popped up on her phone.
The headline she had dreaded for weeks was gone. Even the videos, the edited pictures, the disgusting captions, the hashtags that had dragged her name through the mud have vanished.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she searched again but found nothing. She rubbed her eyes and checked once more. Her name was still trending, but not the way she expected.
"Wait… did Adam from Keystone just clean Linda Gilbert's scandal?"
"Am I dreaming, or did all the accusations disappear overnight?"
"The same Ezekiel Lane assistant that avoids scandals like the plague?"
"This man doesn't step into messes. Why now? Do you think Ezekiel asked him to? Not possible!"
Linda stared at the screen and sighed. He did it, but it was faster than she expected.
Her lips parted slightly as realisation settled in. He didn't just clear her name, he crushed the scandal overnight. With power. With authority. With his name standing boldly behind it.
Some people still whispered, of course. "She probably climbed his bed."
"Another woman using a man to rise."
But the moment those comments appeared, they were buried almost instantly. Because attached to every removal notice was one name.
Keystone Group. Assistant to Ezekiel Lane.
No one dared to say more.
Linda leaned back against the headboard, letting out a sigh of relief.
'So he keeps his word…' she thought.
She was still lost in thought when another live notification popped up. It was a popular TV show. Confused, she clicked it.
Adam's figure appeared on the screen, surrounded by reporters.
"Keystone Group would like to clarify something," Adam said calmly. "The removal of false information concerning Miss Linda Gilbert was necessary. She will be officially assigned as one of Keystone's models."
Linda quickly sat upright. "What?" Her heart skipped. "Keystone… assigned model?"
Her eyes widened as she stared at the screen. Neither Adam nor Ezekiel had told her about this. Not even in the contract.
The media erupted immediately.
"A model for Keystone?"
"So Ezekiel Lane is backing her career?"
"This is insane!"
"He destroyed her scandal and handed her a platform."
Linda let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. "He must be kidding me."
She didn't even want to have anything to do with him. Modelling his products would only pull her closer. He was very strict with his workers, and she wasn't ready to face that.
She couldn't help but dial Megan's number. After telling her everything"Yes!!! Ahhh! Congratulations!" Megan screamed. "Actually, I was about to tell you that I resigned yesterday."
"Why?" Linda frowned. "Don't tell me it's because of me?"
"Of course! Can you imagine the boss telling me to be your sister's manager?"
Linda raised a brow. "I expected that."
"Linda, please accept Keystone's offer. They may not be a modelling agency, but they hire models from other companies to advertise their products. I think they want to put you among their models. I heard there's now a model group, you'll be in the advertising department and…" She paused.
"And what?" Linda asked nervously.
"Advertising departments are the closest to the CEO. They are the ones that bear Ezekiel's wrath. He cares more about advertising products than anything. He's very strict and crazy, Linda. When he asks you to come by 7 a.m, don't arrive at 7:01."
Linda's body trembled, thinking of the way he had ignored her the previous day. "It's fine. I'll try my best…"
"Good! I'm proud of you. I'll be at your side. Send me the contract immediately they send it, so I can fill in the manager's side."
"No problem." Linda hung up and stared at her phone in a daze, thinking about how she would take her revenge while working for him.
Why am I even worried about that? If he's giving me the stage again, I'll use it. A devilish smirk appeared on her lips. That would be even better.
She left her room and headed straight for Ezekiel's office. Her steps were fast, her chest heavy with questions she needed answers to.
She pushed the office door open, but he wasn't there. The chair behind the desk was untouched. The air felt cold and quiet, like Ezekiel himself. Her eyes scanned the room again, hoping foolishly that he might step out from somewhere.
Her shoulders dropped slightly. "Ahhh, I forgot… there's no way he'd be around by this time." She slapped her forehead and sighed.
She turned to leave and almost collided with the oldest maid standing by the door. The woman smiled gently, her eyes warm and knowing.
"You're looking for the young master," the maid said softly.
Linda hesitated, then nodded. "Yes… I am."
"He left early this morning. Went on a business trip. He won't be back for days."
"Oh," she said quietly. "Thanks."
The maid studied her for a moment, then spoke again. "If you need anything, you can contact Assistant Adam."
She reached into her pocket and handed Linda a small note with a neatly written number.
Linda accepted it. "Thank you." She was about to leave when the maid called again. "And please, ma'am." She smiled.
Linda turned and raised a brow.
"This isn't where the young master stays most. This house is mainly for guests or parties."