Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 126 The early morning sun cast long shadows across the streets as Kylan pulled into the company parking lot, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The sleepless night had drained him, and the hollow ache in his chest grew heavier with each passing hour. When he got back to their house, Katrina had already left with Clarence. He had flown to Portland to meet with her since she mentioned she would be at Alois' home. But when he got there, Alois had already been waiting for him, guarding the door.

He told Kylan to leave Katrina alone for now, telling him pursuing her would not be the best action while her emotions were still high. Kylan had no choice but to go back to New York, dejected and heartbroken.

The office buzzed with its usual energy, employees scurrying to their desks and exchanging pleasantries. But as Kylan strode through the hallways, the atmosphere shifted. His presence silenced the chatter, replaced by tense whispers and hurried footsteps. The once- charismatic leader now wore a stormy expression, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"Mr. Ross," a nervous employee ventured as he passed, holding out a file.

"Later," Kylan snapped, not breaking stride. The employee froze in place, startled by the sharpness of his tone, before retreating hastily. Everyone looked at each other, especially those that were working in the Ross Corporation during Katrina's time. The scary and intimidating Kylan Ross known for his impatience seemed to be back.

In the break room, Ryan watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowed in concern. He had known Kylan for years and could see the cracks forming beneath the surface. This wasn't the man who had gone past his traumas. This was someone entirely different. Ryan caught up with Kylan just as he slammed his office door shut. He knocked once before stepping inside, undeterred by the icy glare that met him.

"What do you want?" Kylan growled, his tone low and dangerous.

Ryan crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "I want to know what's going on with you." "Nothing that concerns you," Kylan snapped, turning his chair to face the window.

"Don't givethat," Ryan said firmly, pushing himself away from the doorfrand walking to the table. He settled on the chair. "You're barking orders, scaring the staff, and acting like you're trying to outdo a thunderstorm in intensity. This isn't you, Kylan." Kylan's shoulders tensed, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair. "I don't have tfor this." Ryan stared at Kylan before he nodded to himself. "Is this about Katrina?" Kylan didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Did you talk to her?" Kylan swallowed as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "She's at Portland." Ryan nodded slowly. "Give her time. She will eventually allow herself to talk to you. Then, you can explain to her clearly without emotions clouding her judgment. Right now, don't let it consyou. People here respect you. They look up to you. Don't throw that away." The CEO didn't respond anymore. Ryan lingered a moment longer before quietly leaving, the door clicking shut behind him.

Meanwhile, Isabella had just entered the lobby of the company. She was humming a tune under her breath. Her demeanor was cheerful, almost too much so, drawing attention from her coworkers.

Aaron, knowing what had happened to Katrina and Kylan a few days before, had been watching her closely after they cback from a business trip. Something about her felt off, and today, he decided to act.

He followed her to her desk and glanced at the closed door of Kylan's office. "Isabella," he called, his tone sharp. She looked up, her bright smile unwavering. "Aaron! What brings you here?" she asked, tilting her head in feigned curiosity.

"I want to talk to you about Kylan," Aaron said bluntly, crossing his arms as he approached her desk.

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered. "Kylan? What about him?" "Cut the act," Aaron said, his voice low but firm. "I know you had something to do with Katrina leaving. Don't think people haven't noticed the way you've been hovering around him." Isabella's eyes widened, and she placed a hand on her chest, feigning offense. "Aaron, that's a serious accusation. I've only ever tried to help Mr. Ross. He's been going through so much, and I thought I could be a friend-" "Save it," Aaron interrupted. "You might fool others, but not me. You're up to something, and I'll make sure Kylan sees it before it's too late." Isabella's mask slipped momentarily, her expression hardening. But just as quickly, she replaced it with a teary- eyed look. "I can't believe you'd think so poorly of me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "All I've done is care for him." Aaron leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You don't care about him. You're obsessed. And that's going to be your downfall." He straightened and walked away, leaving Isabella staring after him. Her hands clenched into fists beneath the desk, her carefully maintained facade cracking.

Back in his office, Kylan buried himself in work, using the endless stream of emails and meetings as a distraction from the emptiness clawing at him. But his harsh demeanor, once an exception, becthe rule. Employees avoided his gaze, tiptoeing around his explosive temper.

As the day wore on, Kylan had been ignoring Isabella. He was only talking to her in a clipped tone and professional manner, even as far as calling her by her last name. She looked upset, her expression soft and wounded, and for a moment, guilt stirred in him. But then the memory of Katrina's departure hit him like a freight train, and he forced the thought aside.

Everyone has their motives, he reminded himself coldly. And trust, he realized bitterly, was a luxury he could no longer afford.

~0~0~0~ The sound of camera shutters clicking and reporters shouting questions echoed through the lobby, as a wave of media swarmed the front doors of Ross Corporation. The once orderly office space was now chaotic, employees huddling in corners, whispering nervously about the that had exploded out of nowhere. The news had spread like wildfire, with tabloids running stories about Kylan's failed marriage, the sudden disappearance of his wife, and his personal life now on full display for the public.

Kylan sat behind his desk, his face buried in his hands as he tried to process the whirlwind of chaos. His phone buzzed incessantly with calls, each one from another journalist asking for a comment, or worse, demanding an interview. His once-impeccable reputation was being dragged through the mud, and the company was teetering on the edge of a media storm. The last thing he needed was to make this worse.

This brought him back when the company was in a dire situation. When Katrina was still his assistant. When they had decided that a contract relationship would be the best answer to the impending doom his company was experiencing.

The media was a double-edged sword for him. They could elevate the sales and shares of his company, or they could lose him many investors.

"Mr. Ross, the reporters are getting more aggressive," Max said, bursting into the office with a look of concern. "They're practically surrounding the building. People are already talking. What should we do?" Kylan looked up, his face drawn and weary. "I don't know, Max. Have you found who spread the news?" Ryan went in, his expression calm and collected like he always was. "There is nothing we could do even if we knew who spread this. We should address the media and issue a statement about the separation of your personal life and career." Before Ryan could respond, the office door opened again, and Isabella stepped in with an air of purpose. She had been waiting for this moment: the opportunity to take charge, to show Kylan just how indispensable she could be. Her eyes flicked over the scene in the office, her gaze narrowing with sharp assessment.

The room fell silent as she crossed to Kylan's desk, her heels clicking with confidence. She looked him over, her expression cool and composed.

"Leave it to me," she said, her voice smooth and sure. "I can handle this." Kylan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her level of assurance. "And how would you do it?" Isabella's lips curved into a subtle smile. "I'm a PR expert, Kylan. I've been managing crises before I worked for you. I know exactly how to turn this around." She turned to Ryan, who still seemed hesitant. "Ryan, you and the others need to focus on calming down the staff and keeping them from speaking to the media. You don't need any more leaks." Ryan stared at her. He knew something but he wouldn't say it while the company was still in disarray. Instead, he nodded. "But-" "No buts," Isabella cut him off. "I've got this. Just trust me." With that, she turned back to Kylan, her gaze locking onto his. "I'll handle the press. We'll put out a statement, and I'll make sure the company's image stays intact. We can turn this into an opportu to show your commitment to the business, and to the people who trust you. But you need to letdo it my way." Kylan sat back in his chair, still uncertain but unable to see any other way forward. His company was at risk, his personal life was being exposed, and the media was relentless. He felt cornered, and for the first tin a long while, he wasn't sure what the right move was. "You have to be careful of what you say, Isabella," he said, his voice firm. "I'm not sure how much more damage this can take." Isabella met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "Trust me. You need a strong front, and I'm the one who can help you maintain it. We'll control the narrative, Kylan. I'll make sure you cout of this stronger than ever." Within hours, Isabella had already begun her work, her fingers flying over her phone and laptop as she crafted a flawless public response. She quickly assembled a press release, carefully worded to portray Kylan as a man who was enduring a personal crisis with dignity and focus. She emphasiz during a his commitment to his company, his employees, and the work he had put into building Ross Corporation. It was all about damage control, and Isabella knew exactly what to say to keep Kylan's image intact while offering the public a glimpse of his vulnerable side without letting them see too much.

In the meantime, she had made arrangements for an exclusive interview, but not with Kylan. No, she knew better than to let him speak to the press in his current state. She would take the spotlight for now, carefully crafting a narrative that would keep the media's attention on her rather than on his fractured relationship. She donned the perfect mask of sympathy and professionalism as she stood before the gathered reporters, her voice calm and authoritative.

"My nis Isabella Stone, and I'm BUT

here on behalf of Mr. Kylan Ross," she began, her tone soft but firm, drawing the attention of every journalist in the room. "As you know, Mr. Ross is currently facing a difficult personal matter, but he remains fully committed to his work and the future of Ross Corporation. It is his wish to focus on the company's growth and ensure that the recent events do not interfere with the integrity of our operations."

The reporters hunched forward, scribbling notes, hanging on every word she spoke. "Mr. Ross has asked for privacy during this time, and we ask that the media respect that. However, he also understands the importance of transparency with the public, which is why he's authorizedto speak on his behalf. We are working closely with experts to ensure this matter is handled with the utmost professionalism." She paused, letting her words sink in. "I'm sure you can all appreciate that sometimes, personal matters affect the public sphere. But Kylan Ross is a man of integrity, and no matter what happens, he will continue to lead this company with the spassion and commitment that he always has." The reporters continued to shoot questions, but Isabella expertly deflected each one, always returning to the key messages she had crafted. She steered the narrative away from the details of Kylan's relationship, focusing instead on his role as CEO, the strength of the company, and the loyalty of its employees.

By the tthe press conference ended, the media had been satisfied with her polished statements and carefully managed responses. Isabella had controlled the narrative completely, leaving the reporters with just enough to speculate on without giving them any real ammunition.

As she returned to Kylan's office, she found him standing by the window, his face slightly more at ease than it had been earlier.

"It's done," she said, her voice confident. "The media is backing off for now. We've handled this as best as possible. The company's image is intact, and your personal life? Well, it's still your business." Kylan looked at her, a small flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "I'm sorry for doubting your expertise, Isabella." Isabella smiled, her expression both professional and calculating. "I'm just doing my job, Kylan. But remember, I'm always here for you-whether it's in the office or outside of it." As she turned to leave, she paused at the door, casting a long, meaningful glance back at him.

"I think we make a good team."

And in that moment, Kylan, for the first tin days, felt a glimmer of relief. He wasn't sure why, but he was e reminded of Katrina in gabella. She, too, was a reliable PR. Always ready to answer the reporter's questions with grounded professionalism. Maybe he was wrong thinking she would ruin his marriage. She was always a sweet, caring girl who loved.

her work at Ross Corporation.