---- Chapter 7 Eliza Todd POV: My mind reeled. Jace Ware. Of course. | had heard the name, seen it on buildings and museum wings, but |' d never made the connection. He lived in my modest apartment building, drove himself to work, and ate takeout for dinner. He had never once hinted at the immense wealth and power his family name carried. He had hidden it from me. A small, cynical part of me wondered why, but a larger, more grateful part understood. He knew | was leaving a man obsessed with power and image. He had offered me help, not a handout from a billionaire. He had given me a chance to stand on my own two feet. His voice crackled over the office intercom. "Eliza, can you come in for a moment?" | grabbed my tablet, my professional mask sliding into place. | had found a critical issue with one of our upcoming auction lots, and | needed to brief him immediately. Jace' s family had built their empire on traditional industries, but Jace was a visionary. He had pushed the Ware Corporation into the modern art market, creating an online auction platform that was quickly becoming a global Powerhouse. ---- And featured in next month's "New Talent" auction was a series of paintings by none other than Kamala Wong. Her work was abstract, vibrant, and had been generating significant buzz. But as | ran her digital files through our proprietary analytics software, a series of red flags popped up. Her brushstrokes, color palettes, and compositional structures were too varied, too inconsistent. It was almost as if her entire portfolio was a Frankenstein's monster, stitched together from the limbs of other artists. Digging deeper, | found them. Dozens of small, obscure artists from around the world whose work had been subtly lifted, tweaked, and combined to create Kamala's "unique" style. It was plagiarism on a massive, audacious scale. "We have to pull her collection immediately," | said, standing in front of Jace' s desk and swiping through the evidence on my tablet. "If this goes to auction and it's exposed, the reputational damage to the platform would be catastrophic. Not to mention the financial liability." Jace leaned forward, his expression grim as he studied the side-by-side comparisons. He didn't question my findings for a second. "Pull it," he said decisively. "And have legal draft a letter. We're suing her for damages. | have zero tolerance for fraudsters." He looked up at me, his serious expression softening. "Good work, Eliza." ---- The tension in the room dissipated. He leaned back in his chair. "So," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face. "| hear you finally know my secret identity." | laughed, feeling my cheeks flush. "You could have told me you were my boss, you know." "And risk you not taking the job? | couldn't have my best analyst turning me down because of my ridiculous family," he said, his smile warm and genuine. "Now, what do you say we get out of here? | believe you owe me a very expensive dinner." We were just about to leave when the doors to the office burst open. Kamala Wong, her face a mask of tear-streaked fury, stormed in. She made a beeline for my desk, a crowd of my curious colleagues gathering behind her. "You!" she shrieked, pointing a trembling finger at me. "You did this! You couldn't stand to see me succeed, so you used your new position to sabotage me!" She was putting on a performance, casting herself as the victim. My colleagues were eating it up, murmuring sympathetically and casting judgmental glances in my direction. "The authentication was handled by a separate department, Kamala," | said calmly, refusing to take her bait. "| don't have the authority to pull a collection on my own." "Don't lie!" she sobbed, clutching her stomach dramatically. ---- "You whispered poison in Jace Ware's ear! This company is just bullying a pregnant woman who has done nothing wrong!" She let out a gut-wrenching wail that echoed through the silent office. "I will not be silenced! I'll go to the press! I'll tell everyone how the Ware Corporation and your little pet project Eliza Todd conspired to ruin me! You will apologize, you will reinstate my collection, and you will pay me for my emotional distress!" She looked at me, a triumphant, malicious gleam in her tear- filled eyes. She thought she had me cornered. Just then, another figure pushed through the crowd. Dante. He grabbed Kamala's arm, his face thunderous. "Kamala, what the hell are you doing? | told you to leave Eliza alone." In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.