Amanda had always worked in the shadows — behind the desk, behind the files, behind Greyson's commanding presence. But now, the press had dragged her into the light.
The morning began with a swarm of reporters outside Black Enterprises. Cameras flashed, microphones thrust forward, voices overlapping in a storm of questions: "Is Amanda Evans more than Mr. Black's assistant?" "Did she influence his decision to walk away from the Cole deal?" "Is this a romance or a scandal?"
Amanda froze at the entrance, her heart pounding. She had never faced anything like this. The whispers inside the office had been cruel, but this was public, relentless, and unforgiving.
Greyson appeared beside her, his hand brushing against hers in a subtle gesture of reassurance. His voice was calm, commanding, cutting through the chaos. "No comment."
But the reporters didn't relent. They shouted her name, their cameras flashing, their questions sharper. Amanda felt the weight of their scrutiny pressing against her chest.
Inside the building, she leaned against the wall, her breath unsteady. "Greyson, I can't do this. I'm not built for the spotlight."
Greyson's gaze was steady, his voice low. "You're stronger than you think. They'll try to break you, but you don't have to face them alone."
Amanda shook her head, fear rising. "But if they see me as your weakness—"
Greyson cut her off, his tone fierce. "You're not my weakness. You're the reason I fight harder. And if the world wants to test us, then let them. We'll show them what strength looks like."
Later that day, Amanda found herself in the conference room, facing a smaller but equally daunting crowd: investors demanding answers. Greyson spoke with his usual authority, but when one of them questioned Amanda directly, she felt the room tilt.
"Miss Evans," the man said, his tone skeptical. "What qualifies you to stand beside Mr. Black in these decisions?"
Amanda's pulse raced, but she steadied herself. She thought of Greyson's words, of the battles they had already faced, and of the strength she had discovered within herself.
"I don't claim to be qualified by wealth or power," she said firmly. "I'm here because I work harder than anyone, because I believe in this company, and because Mr. Black trusts me. If that's not enough for you, then perhaps you don't understand what loyalty means."
The room fell silent. Investors exchanged glances, surprised by her boldness. Greyson's lips curved faintly, pride flickering in his eyes.
Amanda realized then that the spotlight wasn't something to fear. It was something to claim. And though the world might question her, she had already proven — to herself, and to Greyson — that she belonged.