The news broke at 9:12 AM.
"CEO Mark Keifer Watson Seen Fighting Outside Private Property – Linked to Fire Incident?"
Photos.
Blurry but clear enough.
His bruised knuckles.
Blood.
Him grabbing a man by the collar.
It spread fast.
Social media exploded.
Stocks dipped slightly.
Reporters gathered outside Watson Enterprises within an hour.
Jay stared at her phone in shock.
"Keifer…"
His cabin door was closed.
Inside, he stood near the window, hands in pockets, calm as ever.
Jay walked in without knocking.
"They're saying you attacked someone."
"I did."
Her eyes widened. "You're not even denying it?"
He turned slightly.
"They trespassed."
"That's not what headlines say."
He didn't look worried.
He looked calculating.
"There's more," she whispered.
He raised a brow.
She turned her phone toward him.
A trending hashtag:
#WhoIsTheGirl
Underneath—
Pictures of him carrying her out of the fire.
Clear shots.
Her face visible.
His arm around her.
Protective.
Possessive.
The comments were wild.
"Is she his fiancée?"
"New scandal?"
"Gold digger?"
"Secretary dating billionaire?"
Jay felt her chest tighten.
"They found out," she said quietly.
Keifer's expression changed instantly.
Not panic.
Not fear.
Danger.
"Who leaked it?" he murmured.
"They're digging into me," she whispered. "My old job. My apartment. My college."
Silence.
He took the phone from her hand.
Scrolled.
His jaw tightened.
Then he did something unexpected.
He pressed a button on his desk.
"Schedule a press conference."
Jay blinked.
"What?"
"They want to know who you are?"
His eyes lifted to hers.
"I'll tell them."
Her heart skipped.
"Keifer, that's not necessary—"
"It is."
"You don't owe them anything."
"I don't."
He stepped closer.
"But I owe you protection."
The word hit differently.
"You'll make it worse," she said softly.
"No."
His gaze locked onto hers.
"I'll make it clear."
Clear.
Not hidden.
Not secret.
Not whispered.
Claimed.
Her pulse quickened.
"Are you sure?"
His thumb brushed lightly against her wrist.
"They think you're leverage."
His voice lowered.
"Let them see you're untouchable."
That evening—
The press conference went live.
Flashes everywhere.
Reporters shouting questions.
"Mr. Watson! Who is the woman in the photos?"
"Is she connected to the fire?"
"Is this a scandal?"
Keifer stood at the podium.
Perfect suit.
Unshaken presence.
Jay watched from backstage.
He didn't hesitate.
"The woman in those photos," he said calmly, "is Jasper Jean Mariano."
Cameras flashed faster.
"She works at Watson Enterprises."
Pause.
"And she is my girlfriend."
Gasps.
Murmurs.
Questions exploding.
He continued, voice steady.
"She was in danger. I did what anyone would do."
A reporter shouted, "Are you saying the attack was personal?"
Keifer's eyes darkened slightly.
"I'm saying," he replied coolly, "that anyone who targets my company or someone connected to me should reconsider their life choices."
Silence.
That wasn't just a statement.
That was a warning.
Backstage—
Jay's hands were shaking.
Not from fear.
From something else.
When he walked off stage and saw her—
She looked at him like he had just redrawn her entire world.
"You didn't have to do that," she whispered.
"Yes," he said softly.
"I did."
And this time—
He didn't look cold.
He looked certain.