The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 264 Ethan's Doubt That afternoon, Brenna was immersed in refining fighter jet blueprints at her stuwhen her phone buzzed with a string of notifications. She barely gave them a glance. Just another baseless rumor.

These things never lasted more than three days before slipping into obscurity. Why bother? Meanwhile, Thiago had immediately recognized the photos. They were stolen shots of him and Ellie walking into their hotel room.

Phone in hand, he went to see Brenna, asking her about her opinion on the matter, "Just ignore it," Brenna said without looking up.

There was an amused glint in her eyes. She had clearly recognized the figures in the photos. With a smirk, she remarked, "Your relationship with Ellie is moving fast." Thiago chuckled but stayed on topic. "We should clear this up. You're set to lecture at Shirie University next Monday. This could damage your reputation. These posts are all over social media and local forums. Someone's definitely paying to spread them. If Mr. Mitchell sees them, he might misunderstand." Brenna looked at him, her expression calm. "If he can't tell the difference between gossip and truth, then he's not fit to be my boyfriend, or the CEO of the Mitchell Group." Brenna's indifference to public opinion was as unshakable as ever. With this thought, Thiago sighed.

After a while, he said, "I'll explain everything to Mr. Mitchell myself." He then placed a call to Ethan.

At Mitchell Group headquarters, Neville rushed into Ethan's office, a folder in hand, reporting to Ethan about the viral posts.

Without even looking up from the files he was reviewing, Ethan ordered sharply, "I've seen them. Tell IT to clean up every platform. I don't want a single negative word about Brenna online." Neville glanced at him, uneasy. The CEO who was always composed now looked to be in a bad mood. Neville believed the woman in the photos looked a lot like Brenna. He was almost sure it was her.

"Mr. Mitchell," he said carefully, "this looks like a misunderstanding. Maybe Miss Harper was just-" "That's not her. Don't makerepeat myself." Ethan glared at him icily.

Sweat soaked the back of Neville's shirt. He had endured Ethan's coldness for years. But he had never seen Ethan so angry like this.

From the way Ethan examined the photos, it was clear he had recognized the man in them.

"Shall I..... handle this man for you?" Neville asked cautiously.

Special bonus over 40% 17:03 He had recognized the man, too. It was Thiago, Brenna's business partner, the sman who had looked at Brenna affectionately at the Imperial Bar the last time.

"Enough," said Ethan. The temperature in the room seemed to drop with his cold tone.

Neville didn't need to be told twice. "I'll get every platform scrubbed clean right now." He had barely reached the door when Ethan's phone rang.

It was an unknown number. Ethan rejected the call without hesitation, his expression dark.

Seeing that, Neville fled quickly.

Meanwhile, Thiago stared at the screen, unsettled by the fact that Ethan had refused to answer his call. "Brenna, we know the truth. But love makes fools of us all. Mr. Mitchell cares about you. He might lose his grip when he sees those photos. If he misunderstands this... the consequences could be serious," he said, his voice low with concern.

Brenna's expression was unreadable. "There's no need. If he's quick to assthe worst, it only means he doesn't trust me. And I don't waste texplaining myself to people who don't trust me." Thiago dragged a hand through his hair in frustration. "Then I'll go explain the matter to him in person." Without waiting for Brenna's response, he turned and left the studio.

He kept calling Ethan the whole drive. Every unanswered call tightened the knot in his chest.

When he arrived at Ethan's company, he was stopped by the receptionist. Without an appointment, he was unable to see Ethan.

With no other option, Thiago made his way to the underground garage and waited by Ethan's car.

In his office, Ethan sat at his desk, stacks of unsigned contracts in front of him. But his eyes stayed fixed on one thing-the photo on his phone.

The image burned into his mind.

He recognized Thiago instantly. And the woman's pale yellow dress looked like the one Brenna had worn before.

Lately, even when Brenna brought him lunch or remembered how he liked his coffee, there was a subtle distance in the way she treated him.

Unlike other women who clung to him with open desperation, Brenna's love for him was too rational. And that made him wonder if she loved him at all. When his phone rang again with the sunknown number, Ethan finally picked up the call.

"Who's this?"

"Mr. Mitchell, thank God you answered," Thiago said, his voiden crackling with urgency. "It's Thiago. We need to talk about those photos." "Speak," Ethan urged coldly.

Thiago didn't hesitate. "You've already seen the photos, right? That'sin them." 17:03 Special bonus over 40% < Chapter 264 Ethan's Doubt Ethan's chest tightened, and he said, "Are you callingjust to rub it in?" "Calm down and listen!" Thiago quickly said. "The woman in the photos is not Brenna; it's Ellie." Recommended for your