Chapter 1 - The Viral Aftermath
By 2:00 AM, the video of Vanessa Brooks attempting to strike Margaret Sinclair—and Leah catching her wrist mid-air—had amassed over forty million views across social media. The internet dubbed Leah "The Guardian Maid," while Vanessa became the instant target of global public outrage.
Inside the high-rise penthouse of the Sinclair Estate, Leah sat nervously on a plush velvet couch, holding a warm cup of chamomile tea.
"You shouldn't be nervous, Leah," Nathan said softly, pouring himself a glass of water. "You did the right thing when every wealthy coward in that room looked the other way."
Margaret sat beside Leah, patting her hand gently. "You saved me from a terrible indignity, my dear. But I know how people like Vanessa operate. She won't accept defeat quietly. Her family owns three major media outlets in New York."
As if on cue, Leah’s phone vibrated incessantly. Threats from anonymous numbers were flooding in, accusing her of staging the incident for money.
Suddenly, a breaking news alert popped up on the television screen: Vanessa Brooks claims she was assaulted by a rogue staff member and framed by the Sinclair family for a publicity stunt.
Vanessa appeared on screen with her attorney, wearing dark sunglasses, claiming that Margaret Sinclair had insulted her first and that Leah had violently twisted her arm, causing permanent nerve damage.
"She's lying!" Leah gasped, her voice trembling. "I only stopped her hand!"
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"Of course she's lying," Nathan’s eyes narrowed into icy determination. "She thinks she can manipulate the media narrative to save her family's reputation. But she forgets who she’s fighting."
Nathan picked up his phone and dialed his chief legal officer. "Initiate Project Dawn. Release the raw, high-definition audio from the main ballroom servers. I want every news station running her exact words on a loop by morning."
