Piper's phone buzzed non-stop with news alerts. Her company's name splashed across every business channel, linked to Jasper's investigation. She switched off the TV in her office, where reporters had been camping outside the building since dawn.
"Ms. Blackwood, Channel 7 is requesting an interview," her assistant Sarah said, poking her head in. "And the Times wants a statement about Mr. Hawthorne's involvement with the company."
"No comments to anyone." Piper rubbed her swollen belly, trying to stay calm. The baby kicked, sensing her stress.
Her phone lit up with Gabriel's name. "The vultures found my house," he said. "Noah's handling security, but we need to move fast on damage control."
"Marcus is bringing the PR team in ten minutes." Piper stood, steadying herself against her desk. At eight months pregnant, every movement took extra effort. "Can you make it?"
"On my way. Don't talk to anyone until we have a strategy."
The PR team filed in, led by Marcus Chen, their crisis management expert. His usual confident smile was replaced with concern as he pulled up the latest headlines on the conference room screen.
"'Blackwood Industries CEO Linked to Financial Scandal.' 'Former Spouse Under Federal Investigation.' They're trying to connect everything back to you, Piper."
She leaned forward. "What are our options?"
"We need to distance the company from Jasper's dealings while expressing appropriate concern about the allegations. I've drafted a statement emphasizing that his involvement ended with your divorce."
"Not good enough." Piper shook her head. "That makes it look like we're hiding something. We need full transparency about his role - former board member, father to my daughter. But make it clear his financial dealings were separate."
Gabriel arrived, taking a seat beside her. His presence steadied her, as always.
"The international expansion," Marcus said. "The timing couldn't be worse. Investors are already nervous."
"Then we accelerate it." Piper pulled up their timeline. "Show we're moving forward, growing stronger. Release the projections for the Asian market."
"That's risky," Gabriel warned. "If anything goes wrong-"
"Everything's already wrong." Piper met his eyes. "We play offense, not defense."
Her phone buzzed - Jasper. She stepped out to take the call.
"I'm sorry," he said immediately. "My lawyer said it would stay quiet for at least another month."
"Save it. What else haven't you told me?"
A pause. "They're looking at transactions from when we were married. Your signature might be on some documents."
The room spun slightly. Piper gripped the wall. "Which documents?"
"The Singapore deal. Remember those shell companies we used for tax purposes?"
"The ones YOU set up?" Heat rose in her chest. "Damn it, Jasper. You swore everything was legal."
"It was a grey area at worst. But with the new regulations-"
"Stop talking. Have your lawyer call mine." She ended the call, pressing her forehead against the cool wall.
Back in the conference room, Marcus was outlining their media strategy. "We control the narrative. Full disclosure about the expansion plans. Position it as Blackwood Industries entering a new era."
Noah burst in. "They found Lily's school. Reporters are trying to interview her classmates."
"Get her out. Now." Piper grabbed her bag. "Take her to my mother's."
"Already done. But they'll find her there too."
Gabriel touched her arm. "The lake house. It's private, secure. I'll handle the arrangements."
Piper nodded, grateful. A sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She ignored it.
"What about the Singapore angle?" Marcus asked. "If they start digging into past dealings-"
"They won't find anything," Piper cut in. "Every transaction was properly documented." Another pain, stronger. She breathed through it.
"The press conference," Sarah interrupted. "They're all asking when you'll make a statement."
"Tomorrow morning." Piper stood. "Full transparency about the expansion. No comment about ongoing investigations. Clear message that Blackwood Industries operates with complete integrity."
The pain returned, dropping her back into her chair. Gabriel noticed first.
"Piper?"
"I'm fine. Just stress." But when she looked down, her skirt was wet. "No, no, no. Not now."
"Your water broke," Gabriel said, already moving. "Noah, get the car. Marcus, handle the press. No one knows about this."
Piper gripped the table as another contraction hit. "It's too early. The baby-"
"Will be fine." Gabriel helped her up. "But we need to move now, before they notice."
They made it to the private elevator. Piper leaned heavily on Gabriel, fighting panic. Through the glass, she could see the media circus below. Cameras, reporters, all waiting to pounce on the next development in the scandal.
Instead, they were about to get a very different story.
As the elevator descended, Piper's phone lit up with a news alert. Her heart stopped.
"Singapore documents leaked," she whispered. "They have everything."
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