The penthouse was silent.
Jade stood in front of the mirror, wearing a simple oversized hoodie, jeans, and a cap. No luxury, no bodyguard, no drama.
"Perfect. Nobody will recognize me," she murmured.
Daniel was already at Ooman Tower, fighting a corporate war. She sighed.
"I hope he's okay…"
She slipped out through the private elevator and walked past the journalists waiting in front of the building.
Cameras flashed—but they were all focused on the entrance, waiting for Daniel.
Jade walked by like a normal girl.
Invisible.
.
.
On her way to her mother's house, she stopped near a small café to buy a drink.
That's when she heard them.
A group of people at a table were talking loudly.
"That Ooman guy is finished," a man laughed.
"I heard he destroyed Helix just to dominate the market."
A woman added,
"He thinks he's untouchable. Rich men are always corrupt."
Another guy smirked.
"And that his fiancee ? She's probably just after his money. Typical pretty girl strategy."
Jade froze.
She slowly turned around.
She walked to their table with a polite smile.
"Hi. Sorry for interrupting your TED Talk on ignorance."
The man frowned.
"Who are you?"
"Someone with common sense. Rare these days, I know."
The woman laughed.
"Why are you defending him? Are you his fan?"
Jade crossed her arms.
"No. I'm the fiancee in question ."
Silence.
People around started whispering.
The man scoffed.
"Sure. And I'm the president."
Jade leaned closer.
"Trust me, if you were president, the country would collapse in two days."
The woman stood up.
"Don't talk like that!"
Jade smiled sweetly.
"Don't talk about my futur husband like you know him."
The guy mocked,
"You're just another gold digger."
Wrong word.
Jade grabbed his shirt.
"Say that again. Slowly. With confidence."
The woman pushed Jade.
"Let him go!"
Jade pushed back.
"Touch me again and I'll upgrade this to a scandal."
People screamed. Phones were raised. Someone shouted:
"Isn't that Daniel Ooman's fiancee?!"
A reporter ran toward them.
"Miss Jade! Why are you fighting in public? Are the rumors about Mr. Ooman false?"
Jade fixed her cap, still calm.
"I'm not fighting. I'm educating."
The reporter blinked.
"Do you believe Daniel Ooman is innocent?"
She looked straight into the camera.
"He is. And anyone who keeps insulting him can argue with me personally. I'm available."
Within minutes, the video exploded online, télévisions etc.
"Ooman's Wife Defends Him in Public Fight"
"Jade Lee: The CEO's Girl Who Doesn't Stay Silent"
"Netizens Divided: Heroine or Crazy Rich Girl?"
.
.
The TV in the conference room was still on.
Daniel was standing with his board members when the breaking news appeared on the screen.
"Breaking: Jade Lee, wife of CEO Daniel Ooman, involved in a public altercation."
The footage played.
Jade grabbing a man's collar.
Jade arguing with reporters.
Jade declaring she would personally deal with anyone insulting Daniel.
The board members exchanged looks.
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Pause that," he ordered coldly.
The screen froze on Jade's furious expression.
"This is exactly what we don't need," one investor muttered.
Daniel turned off the TV.
Meeting dismissed.
He walked into his office and dialed her number.
She answered immediately.
"Daniel—"
"Come to Ooman Tower. Now."
His voice was cold. No affection. No explanation.
The call ended.
Jade walked into his office an hour later.
Daniel was standing near the window, arms crossed, his expression dark.
"Sit," he ordered.
She didn't.
"You wanted to see me?"
He turned sharply.
"Do you have any idea what you just did?"
She frowned.
"I defended you."
"You embarrassed Ooman systems."
Her eyes widened.
"The company is already under attack. Investors are nervous. The press is hunting for scandals. And you—my wife—decide to fight strangers in public like it's a reality show?"
Her hands clenched.
"They were insulting you."
"That is not your role."
She laughed bitterly.
"So I should stay quiet while people destroy your name?"
"Yes."
The word came out too fast.
"Yes, you should."
Her lips trembled.
"You would rather I pretend I don't care?"
"You would rather understand that your actions affect my empire."
"So that's it?" she whispered.
"You would prefer I stay silent while they insult you?"
Daniel hesitated—but didn't answer.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I thought… I was helping you."
She looked away, trying not to cry.
"I forgot that I'm just a contract wife. A tool for your image. And I just damaged it, right?"
He didn't respond.
That was worse.
Jade turned around, her hands shaking.
"Next time, I'll stay quiet. Just like you want."
She walked out, almost running, her vision blurry with tears.
The door slammed.
Luccianho had heard everything.
He entered the office slowly.
"Chefe… you were too harsh."
Daniel didn't turn.
"She needs to understand reality."
"She understands," Luccianho replied calmly.
"But she was defending you. And you treated her like a PR problem."
Daniel stared at the city through the Windows.
.
.
.
The office was silent.
Daniel was still standing near the window, his hands in his pockets, his mind replaying Jade's trembling voice.
The door knocked.
"Come in."
Camilla entered, elegant as always, wearing a soft cream suit, her hair perfectly styled.
"I heard what happened," she said gently.
Daniel didn't respond.
She walked closer, placing a coffee cup on his desk.
"I thought you might need this."
"I saw the video," she continued softly.
"The media is brutal. They don't understand how much pressure you're under."
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"They never do."
Camilla leaned against his desk, her voice low and comforting.
"You've always carried everything alone. People forget you're human."
She paused, watching his reaction.
"You didn't deserve more chaos. Especially from someone who should protect your image."
Her words were soft, but they stabbed.
"She's emotional," Camilla added with a small smile.
"That's… charming, but dangerous in your position."
Daniel frowned slightly.
"She's young. She doesn't understand how fragile an empire can be."
Camilla nodded, pretending to agree with him.
"I understand. That's why I came. To remind you that you're not alone."
She sat on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs.
"You deserve someone who understands your world."