Tensions Rising

[Scene: Liana’s private apartment. She’s seated at her desk, reviewing the next phase of their plan. A knock at the door draws her attention. It’s Noah.]

Noah: [entering with a tablet] “You’re going to want to see this.”

Liana: [gesturing for him to continue] “What is it?”

Noah: [handing her the tablet] “Rowena just held a press conference. She’s trying to spin the charity scandal as a misunderstanding.”

Liana watches the video, her expression calm but her eyes sharp.

Rowena (on-screen): “Our charity has always operated with integrity. These allegations are baseless, and we’re working closely with our donors to resolve this misunderstanding.”

Noah: [scoffing] “She’s good at playing innocent. Too bad we know the truth.”

Liana: [smiling faintly] “Let her have her moment. It won’t last long.”

Noah: [grinning] “You’ve got something planned, don’t you?”

Liana: [turning to him] “Always.”

[Scene shifts: Damian’s office. He’s meeting with Adrian and Ethan.]

Adrian: [reading from his phone] “Rowena’s press conference was bold. Think the public will buy it?”

Damian: [leaning back in his chair] “It doesn’t matter if they do. The real damage isn’t public opinion—it’s the internal fallout.”

Ethan: [nodding] “You mean the donors.”

Damian: [smirking] “Exactly. They’ll start pulling out. Without their money, Rowena’s little empire will crumble.”

Adrian: [chuckling] “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Damian: [calmly] “Let’s just say I appreciate a well-executed plan.”

[Scene shifts: Rowena’s apartment. She’s on a video call with Alex, her nerves clearly frayed.]

Rowena: [snapping] “The donors are already asking questions, Alex! We need to fix this now.”

Alex: [smirking] “Relax. I’ve got a few contacts who can smooth things over.”

Rowena: [glaring] “Your contacts? You mean the same ones who got us into this mess?”

Alex: [coldly] “Watch your tone, Rowena. Remember who’s cleaning up your mess.”

Rowena bites her lip, frustrated but knowing she can’t afford to alienate Alex.

[Scene shifts: Liana and Damian meet at a secluded restaurant. They’re seated in a private booth, their conversation low but intense.]

Damian: [smirking] “You saw the press conference, I assume?”

Liana: [nodding] “She’s desperate. It’s almost too easy.”

Damian: [leaning closer] “Don’t underestimate desperation. It makes people dangerous.”

Liana: [smirking slightly] “I’m counting on that. Desperate people make mistakes.”

Damian: [raising an eyebrow] “And when they don’t?”

Liana: [meeting his gaze] “Then we force their hand.”

[Scene shifts: Rowena and Eleanor are in the Everhart mansion, discussing their next move.]

Eleanor: [calmly] “We need to shift the focus. If people are talking about us, they’re not talking about Liana.”

Rowena: [frowning] “And how do you propose we do that?”

Eleanor: [smiling faintly] “We remind the world why Liana is unfit to lead. Dig into her past. There must be something we can use.”

Rowena: [nodding slowly] “Fine. I’ll handle it.”

[Scene shifts: Liana receives a late-night call from Serena.]

Serena: [over the phone] “Liana, I heard something. Rowena’s people are digging into your history.”

Liana: [calmly] “Let them. There’s nothing they’ll find.”

Serena: [hesitating] “Are you sure? You’ve got more secrets than most people.”

Liana: [smirking] “Exactly. And none of them are where she’s looking.”

[Scene shifts: Damian at his penthouse. He’s reading through a new report when his phone buzzes. It’s a message from Liana.]

Liana (text): “Rowena’s digging. Time to redirect her focus.”

Damian (text): “Consider it done.”

Damian makes a call to Ethan.

Damian: [calmly] “I need you to leak something to Rowena’s team. Just enough to lead them down the wrong path.”

Ethan (on phone): “You got it. What should I plant?”

Damian: [smirking] “Something that’ll keep her busy—and paranoid.”

[Final scene: Rowena receives an anonymous tip about a supposed scandal involving Liana. She reads the file with growing excitement.]

Rowena: [to herself] “Finally, something I can use.”

She doesn’t notice the faint smirk on Eleanor’s face as she watches her daughter take the bait.

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