The day after their tense encounter with Damien Carter, Adrian was already deep in strategy mode. Ellie watched him from the breakfast bar, his phone glued to his ear as he paced back and forth. His presence filled the penthouse, the calm air of control he usually exuded now edged with tension.

"This isn't just about us," Adrian said into the phone, his voice firm. "If Damien's trying to undermine the company, he won't stop with petty gossip. Look into his recent deals. I want answers by the end of the day."

He hung up and immediately turned to Ellie. "We need to be more careful. He'll dig for anything he can use against us."

Ellie frowned, her coffee cup warm in her hands. "More careful? Adrian, I've already turned my life upside down for this. What else do you expect me to do?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "I know it's a lot, but we can't afford to make mistakes. Not now."

Before Ellie could respond, his assistant, Claire, arrived with a folder of documents.

"Adrian, the board meeting has been rescheduled for this afternoon," Claire informed him. "Also, there's been increased media inquiries about your relationship."

Ellie groaned. "Of course there have. Why wouldn't there be?"

Adrian glanced at her. "Which is why we're addressing it. We're doing another public outing tonight."

"Another one?" Ellie protested. "Adrian, I'm not a robot you can parade around whenever it's convenient."

Adrian's eyes softened slightly. "I'm not asking you to be. But if we show a united front, we can take control of the narrative."

Ellie sighed, knowing he was right. "Fine. What's the plan this time?"

That evening, Adrian and Ellie attended a high-profile art exhibit at a sleek gallery in SoHo. The media presence was smaller than the gala but no less intense. As they stepped out of the car, Adrian's hand once again found Ellie's.

"Relax," he murmured. "This is just another performance."

Ellie forced a smile, nodding to the cameras as they made their way inside.

The gallery was filled with the city's elite, their conversations a low hum beneath the soft classical music playing in the background. Ellie found herself admiring the artwork, grateful for a distraction from the attention they were receiving.

"Do you actually like art?" Adrian asked, noticing her interest.

Ellie shrugged. "I'm not an expert, but I appreciate it. It's... calming."

Adrian's lips quirked into a small smile. "I didn't expect that."

"What, you think I'm just some clueless girl from nowhere?" she teased, though her tone carried a hint of defensiveness.

"That's not what I meant," he said quickly. "I just meant you're... surprising."

Ellie raised an eyebrow. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Before Adrian could respond, a familiar voice cut through the room.

"Well, well. If it isn't the happy couple."

Ellie turned to see Damien approaching, his smirk as infuriating as ever.

"Damien," Adrian greeted coldly.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Damien said, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. His eyes shifted to Ellie. "And you, Eleanor. Still adjusting to the high life?"

Ellie forced a tight smile. "It's been an adjustment, but I'm managing."

"Managing," Damien echoed, as if savoring the word. "I wonder how long that'll last. Adrian has a way of... overwhelming people."

"Damien," Adrian said, his voice low and dangerous, "don't you have someone else to bother?"

Damien chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, old friend. I'm just here to enjoy the art."

As he walked away, Ellie turned to Adrian. "Why does he have to be so smug?"

"Because he enjoys the game," Adrian replied, his jaw tight.

The evening continued without further incident, but Ellie couldn't shake the unease Damien's presence had stirred. As they returned to the penthouse, she finally voiced her thoughts.

"Adrian, if Damien is such a problem, why don't you do something about him?"

"I am," Adrian said, loosening his tie. "But it's not as simple as you think. He's smart—he doesn't make moves without a backup plan."

Ellie crossed her arms. "So what's his goal? To ruin your company? Your reputation?"

"Both," Adrian admitted. "But he won't win."

His confidence was reassuring, but Ellie couldn't help feeling like they were on shaky ground.

The next morning, Ellie's unease proved justified. Adrian's assistant arrived with urgent news: Damien had leaked photos of Ellie from years ago, working at a modest diner in her hometown. The media was spinning it as proof of her "gold-digger origins."

"Why does this matter?" Ellie asked, furious. "I wasn't born into money—so what? Most people weren't!"

"It doesn't matter to rational people," Adrian said, his voice calm but firm. "But in my world, perception is everything. We'll handle it."

"How?" Ellie demanded.

Adrian's lips curved into a determined smile. "We'll beat him at his own game."

By midday, Adrian's team released a statement addressing the leak. It highlighted Ellie's humble beginnings as a testament to her character and resilience. To drive the point home, Adrian posted a rare personal message on social media:

"My wife, Eleanor, is the strongest, most genuine person I know. Her past isn't a secret—it's a part of what makes her who she is. Anyone who tries to shame her for it will answer to me."

The post went viral, earning widespread support.

Ellie stared at the screen in disbelief. "You... defended me."

Adrian shrugged, his expression unreadable. "It was the right thing to do."

Ellie felt a strange warmth in her chest, the lines between their fake marriage and reality blurring just a little more.

To be continued...