Chapter 54

Xander Lewis told me that Lena Carter's scandal had blown up big time—so much so that even folks in the City S design circle were talking about it. Within twenty hours of the video dropping, the Carter Group’s stock had already started taking hits. Brian Carter couldn’t hold back anymore. He held a press conference, not only cutting ties with Lena but also officially kicking her out of the group. The vacant creative director spot? That went to Cindy Clark. Lena had always been that “extra baggage” Heather Carter brought into the family. When she was useful, Brian treated her well enough. But now that she stirred up this kind of mess, he dumped her without hesitation. Cold? Maybe. But honestly, not surprising. "How did this blow up so fast?" I muttered, still trying to wrap my head around all of it. Xander’s voice came through sharp and steady, snapping me back to my senses. "First it was Simon Gray with the embezzlement stuff, now Lena’s caught in a scandal. Whether Henry Smith knew or