Chapter 152

Their phones lit up simultaneously, three faces frozen in confusion.

Sophia Osborne's scream shattered the silence.

"Holy shit! Ethan Blackwood and Vivian are trending worldwide!"

Nathaniel Prescott and Dominic Harrington gaped at their screens, thumbs frozen mid-scroll.

Every trending topic screamed variations of one story: The Blackwood CEO's public meltdown.

"Look! There's video proof of Mr. Blackwood begging his ex-wife like some lovesick puppy!"

"Since when do billionaires simp this hard?"

"If even Blackwood grovels, what hope do regular guys have?"

"Step one of Operation Win Back Vivian complete!"

Each click revealed the same damning footage - Ethan clinging to Vivian like a drowning man to driftwood. The juxtaposition of his usual icy demeanor with this desperate display sent the internet into hysterics.

Memes flooded timelines. Reaction videos multiplied. The clip maintained its death grip on the number one spot.

Dominic broke first, his laughter explosive. Sophia followed seconds later, clutching her stomach.

"Boss...tell me this is deepfake comedy gold." Nathaniel wheezed. "Ice King Ethan reduced to this? Priceless."

"Game over. How can mere mortals compete with this level of public devotion?" Dominic wiped tears from his eyes.

Vivian's cheeks burned. She snatched their phones. "Delete that. Drunk Ethan latches onto anything with a pulse!"

"But he was screaming your name." Sophia's eyes glittered. "Could the great Ethan Blackwood actually have regrets?"

"Not a chance." Vivian's voice could frost glass. "This is pure revenge for losing at drinking games."

"Listen carefully." She stabbed a finger at each of them. "Ethan murders people for less. Pretend you saw nothing."

Nathaniel grinned, unrepentant. "Trending in 82 countries, Boss. That ship has sailed. Why are you blushing? He's the one who should be dying of shame. You walked away like a damn queen."

He tried reloading the video. Error 404. Every trace had vanished from the internet.

"Blackwood Group's tech division earns its keep." Julian Blackthorn smirked. "But I've got the original file. One click and the world laughs at him all over again."

Vivian's head snapped up. "How?"

"Stole it during their 0.03-second takedown window." Julian preened. "Average users couldn't download that fast. His bad luck I'm a genius."

"Fucking legend!" Sophia fist-bumped him. "When you said you'd prank Ethan to join our squad, I didn't think you'd actually deliver. Welcome to the Anti-Blackwood Alliance!"

Nathaniel, despite his reservations about Julian, extended a hand. "Anyone who humiliates Ethan gets a seat at our table."

Their three fists met in solidarity, a united front against corporate tyranny.

Vivian blinked. "Anti-Blackwood what now?"

"Protect Vivian, destroy Ethan!" Sophia chanted.

"Till our last breath!" the men echoed.

The ridiculousness warmed Vivian's chest. These weren't just employees or friends - they'd become family.

And family fought for each other.

Her fingers curled into determined fists. The Lockhart name would rise again. This time, with an army at her back.