Page 78 of In A Mood For Mr. Wrong

Cassian chokes on his drink, barely smothering a laugh. “Oh, Monroe, you are dangerous.”

Isabella shrugs. “I thrive on honesty.”

Eleanor’s expression barely flickers, but I can see the ice beneath the surface. “I suppose Hollywood teaches you to bedramatic,” she says coolly.

Isabella beams. “Oh, darling, I don’tact. Iexpose.”

Cassian grins. “And what a talent you have for it.”

For the first time tonight, Eleanor looksuneasy.

As if on cue, the media shifts their focus. The cameras that had been circling the room now angle toward Eleanor, reporters stepping in withpointedquestions.

“Eleanor, given the recent concerns raised about your leadership, how do you plan to reassure the board?”

“Do you have a response to Isabella Monroe’s claims about your past business practices?”

“Do you believe your reputation can recover after tonight’s press coverage?”

The cracks widen.

Eleanor lifts her chin, keeping her voice calm. “I believe my track record speaks for itself.Perfectly Matchedhas flourished under my guidance…”

Margot takes a slow sip of her champagne. “Oh,this is fun.”

I smirk. “Just wait.”

Because this is not even thefinalblow.

Olivia strides toward us, her phone in hand, her eyes gleaming. “The report is live.”

And just like that, it’sover.

Eleanor’s phone pings. So do the phones of every investor, executive, and board member in this room. Abreaking news alert: “EXCLUSIVE: Insider Reports Reveal Financial Misconduct Under Eleanor King’s Leadership – Investors Panic as Documents Surface”

Eleanor’s fingers tighten around her clutch. The murmurs begin. Whispers. Disbelief. Panic. The board members look at their screens, their facespaling. I watch Eleanor’s expression shift in real-time, fromcontroltopanic, fromrighteous indignationtodesperation. Sheknows. This isit. She haslost.

I step forward, my voice quiet butdeadlycalm. “Eleanor,” I say smoothly, my eyes locking onto hers, “you should leave while you still have achoice.”

For the first time in my life, I see something I never thought I would witness on Eleanor’s face, fear.

Margot moves beside me, standing at my level, her voice equally sharp. “By the time the board meets tomorrow, the only vote left on the table will be whether theyfireyou or let youresign with dignity.”

The silence that follows isdeafening. Eleanor King is finished. AndPerfectly Matchedbelongs tous.

Cassian sighs dramatically, adjusting his cufflinks. “Well,thatwas deliciously painful to watch.”

Isabella grins. “Ten out of ten. Wouldpublicly destroy a corporate villainagain.”

Cassian glances down at her, his smirk shifting into something slower, somethingintimate. “Oh, Monroe, you reallydo have a talent for chaos.”

Isabella tilts her head, her eyes flickering with challenge. “Careful, Laurent. You soundimpressed.”

His gaze darkens slightly. “Oh, Iam.”

Margot mutters under her breath, “I swear to God, if they don’t justkiss already…”

I chuckle, looping an arm around her waist. “Patience, Evans.”

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