Page 23 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fake Girlfriend

Victoria pursed her lips. "Be that as it may, the optics are terrible. XMGH's stock has plummeted to a two-year low, and the media is having a field day with this. You need to take decisive action to control the damage."

"I agree," I said. "The only way to get rid of bad press is to drown it out with good press of our making. Sasha's leadership on the American line is going to take us to new heights. We need to flood the internet and traditional media with exciting news about what's coming up. At the same time, I will blitz the media with public appearances by going on a positive press tour to every showbiz and fashion event. Add in some publicized charity work and volunteering opportunities and it should be enough to rehabilitate our image."

Victoria's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she didn't argue. The other board members nodded begrudgingly.

"Very well," she said finally. "But know this, Denver. The board is watching you very closely. One more misstep and your position as CEO will be over."

I didn't respond as the conference call ended. The screen went black, leaving the room in silence. My heart was pounding, and I could feel the anger and frustration bubbling up inside me.

"Do you think your plan will work?" Sasha asked, her voice soft and full of concern.

I nodded, pulling her into my arms and holding her close. "It's a long shot, but if anybody could make it work, it's us."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "We'll get through this, Denver."

My heart swelled with love for this woman who had stood by me through everything. I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

But even as I held her, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Chapter 10

SASHA

The flashing cameras and the roar of voices calling my name had become a familiar backdrop over the past few weeks. I stood next to Denver on the red carpet, his hand resting reassuringly on the small of my back as we posed for the photographers. The paparazzi were relentless, shouting questions about the launch of my new line, our relationship, and Denver's plans for XMGH Brands.

"Sasha! Over here!" a photographer yelled. I turned, smiling as the camera clicked rapidly. Denver's deep voice rumbled in my ear, low enough for only me to hear. "You're a natural at this."

I glanced up at him, my smile widening. "I'm just following your lead, Mr. Roberts."

He smirked, his piercing blue eyes softening as they met mine. "You're doing better than I ever could. You're stealing the show, as usual."

The Fashion for a Cause event was the last appearance in Denver's multi-month press tour. It had been grueling, but his strategy to bombard the media circuit with positive press for the company was working. The frenzy had shifted from the scandal surrounding Ethan's death to the debut of my line.

Once news broke about my appointment as lead designer, my social media account went viral. Instead of my posts going into what seemed like a black hole, I now had millions of followers who praised my designs for their freshness and mix of traditional and futuristic elements. Every day, I made sure to post videos featuring behind-the-scenes peeks at what went on in our design studio. Denver's cameos in my videos had only added to the hype, with fans swooning over our chemistry and labeling us the "power couple" of the fashion world.

But the spotlight wasn't easy. The pressure was intense, and the scrutiny was relentless. Every move I made was analyzed and every word I said was dissected. I'd never been one to crave attention, and the sudden fame was overwhelming.

Only Denver's strong and stoic presence by my side made it possible for me to keep going. His unwavering support gave me the strength to stay the course and continue with our strategy. He'd become my anchor, grounding me when the world felt like it was spinning out of control.

The event dragged on until well after midnight. Thankfully, it was a Saturday and we had one more day before we had to head back to the office. As soon as we returned to the penthouse, I kicked off my heels, sighing in relief as my feet hit the plush rug in the living room. Denver followed me, loosening his tie with one hand.

"You were incredible tonight," he said. His voice was soft and low.

I turned to him and smiled at the way he looked at me like I hung the moon. "You're just saying that because you're biased."

He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "I'm saying it because it's true. You're amazing, Sasha. And I'm lucky to have you by my side."

Through all the scandals, stalkers, and hostile boardroom meetings, Denver never failed to make me feel seen, cherished, and unstoppable. His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, and I melted into his embrace, feeling the weight of the world dissolve under his touch. He was my safe harbor, my constant in the chaos, and in his arms, I found not just love, but the confidence to be who I was always meant to be.

My breath caught in my throat as he cupped my cheek, and pressed his lips gently but insistently against mine. I let out a soft moan, his touch sending hot bolts of desire through me. We tumbled toward the bedroom, each fighting to outdo the other in removing as many items of clothing as possible. Denver's love and kisses drove away all thoughts of business and publicity for the rest of the night.

The next morning, we woke up to the news that my collection of ready-to-wear apparel for the American market had sold out within hours of its launch. The success was surreal, and the flood of congratulatory messages on my phone was overwhelming. Denver sat beside me on the bed, scrolling through the headlines on his tablet.

"Looks like you're the talk of the town," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "We did it, Denver. We actually did it."

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. "This is just the beginning, Sasha. With your potential, I can see you starting your own brand. You're going to outgrow XMGH, and I can't wait to be by your side when you do it."

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