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Episode 10: The Enemy Inside
Three days after the press conference, the world still hadn't stopped talking.
Evan Dendelion's face was on every gossip blog. Her baby bump had become international speculation. And Abel Luna's declaration? Now considered the most shocking billionaire move of the year.
But not everyone was celebrating.
Especially not the LunaTech board of directors.
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LunaTech HQ – Executive Boardroom
"This is a disaster," barked Calvin Dray, an older investor whose fortune was tied to the company's reputation. "Our stock dipped another two points this morning. Clients are nervous."
"Because I claimed my wife?" Abel said coldly.
"Because you did it like a soap opera," snapped Victoria Lane, CFO. "You stood at a press podium and turned your private life into a circus. You gave them a weakness to target."
"She's not a weakness," Abel said, jaw tight.
"She's pregnant. Emotional. And unprepared for this world."
Abel's glare turned icy.
"You forget," he said, "I own this world."
"Not if we vote to remove you as CEO."
The silence hit like a gunshot.
Grant stood up fast, but Abel held up a hand.
"Try," he said. "But understand this—if you come for me, you come for my company. And if you touch Evan, I will burn this place to the ground and build it again brick by brick."
Then he walked out.
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LunaTech Private Lounge – 20 Minutes Later
Evan was sitting alone, thumbing through messages on her phone.
Fan letters. Hate mail. A thousand conflicting opinions.
Gold-digger.
Lucky girl.
Trap baby queen.
Luna's soft spot.
She stared blankly until one voice cut through—two board members speaking just outside the lounge door.
"She's a liability," Victoria whispered.
"She's pretty," said another. "That's all. But pretty doesn't keep empires stable."
"She's going to destroy him. The baby already is."
And then—
"She won't last long. Once the babies are born, I bet he finds a way out of that marriage."
Evan's chest constricted.
She stood silently, hidden, tears burning at the edge of her lashes.
They didn't see her as his wife. Or the mother of his children.
Just a temporary scandal. A problem to be erased.
And what if they were right?
What if Abel… had only claimed her out of obligation?
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That Evening – Luna Estate
Abel found her in the nursery. The room was nearly done—neutral tones, soft stars painted across the ceiling. She was sitting on the window seat, motionless, holding a stuffed elephant.
"I had it made," he said softly. "For them."
She nodded.
But didn't smile.
"What's wrong?"
Evan stared out the window.
"I heard them today."
"Who?"
"Your board. Your people."
Abel's eyes darkened.
"They think you'll leave me once I've served my purpose. Once the babies are born."
He moved toward her fast, kneeling at her feet.
"That's not true."
"Then what is true, Abel? Because you haven't said it. You say I'm yours. You say you'll protect me. But you never say what I really want to hear."
He looked at her, torn open.
"What do you want to hear?"
"That you need me. That I'm not just a revenge piece in some chess game."
His throat worked.
Then—
A phone rang.
His.
He almost ignored it, until he saw the caller ID.
Cassandra Vale.
He answered with a sharp tone.
"What do you want?"
Her voice came through like poison silk.
"Just wanted to say congratulations. The whole world knows now. Your little queen is finally on the throne."
"What are you playing at?"
"Oh, nothing," she said. "Except… you might want to check on her phone. Evan's been receiving messages. Threats. From me. And she hasn't told you."
Abel froze.
"Don't you wonder why?"
Click.
He looked up. Evan was staring at him.
"You didn't tell me," he said quietly.
"I didn't want to worry you."
"You were threatened, Evan."
"I can take care of myself!"
He slammed the phone down. "Not when I'm responsible for you!"
Her voice cracked. "I'm not your employee! I'm your wife—or am I just the woman you put in a box to protect like some trophy you're scared to lose?!"
Silence.
Then she whispered:
"I don't want to be part of your war, Abel. I just wanted a chance at love."
And she walked out before he could stop her.
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Later That Night – Rain Falling Hard
Evan stepped into the back of a taxi.
She had no luggage. No driver.
Just a burner phone in her pocket and a note for Nori.
She needed air.
Space.
Clarity.
But what she didn't know—was that someone was following her.
Across the street, hidden beneath an umbrella, a figure watched her taxi pull away.
Cassandra lowered the umbrella.
And smiled.
"Checkmate."
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💔 End of Episode 10
> Next in Episode 11:
Evan disappears. Abel tears the city apart trying to find her. But when he discovers why she left—and who's behind it—the game turns deadly. Meanwhile, Cassandra makes her first real move. And Evan's babies may not be safe anymore…
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