Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 196: Rumours & invitation

~Jessica’s Mansion~

The day had started off well, though the sky was a bit cloudy as the changing weather signaled the arrival of a new season.

Jessica and Davis had woken up early but weren’t in the mood to leave the bed; instead, they snuggled into each other’s arms, savoring the warmth and quiet moments together.

Davis was playing with a strand of her hair lost in a deep thought while she was in no rush to leave the house snuggled comfortably in Davis’s arms, she flipped through various online tabloids, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

But that peace shattered the moment her eyes caught the trending headline. She sat up instantly, her heart thudding.

"This can’t be happening," she whispered, staring at the screen as if trying to make sense of it. Her brow furrowed as she scanned through the news trending on the tabloids, her breath coming in gasps.

This wasn’t good.

She had always known her company’s fashion week usually brought unnecessary hype, but it had never started this early. It wasn’t even close to the scheduled date. The company hadn’t released the theme, designs, or promotional materials yet. So, who leaked this news? Why now?" She mused.

Davis noticed the sudden shift in her mood. "What is it?" he asked, his tone calm but curious.

Jessica handed him the phone, her expression turning serious. "Take a look at this. Maybe you can help analyze because as far as I know this isn’t good for the company at all."

Davis took the phone and began reading. His eyebrows lifted as he scanned the content.

A glaring headline stood out on the tabloids with so many other blogs posting and re-posting with viral hashtags.

"Who is the real power behind Angel Wears?"

"Angel’s Wears Boss unveiled."

"Angel’s Wear theme for the fashion week."

"Angel’s Wear CEO working with a human puppet."

"Mysterious Boss unveiled."

With several mosaiced photos attached.

The buzz around Angel Wear’s upcoming fashion week in Country Y was louder than ever raising concerns for Jessica and her executives.

Unlike other high-end clothing brands, Angel Wear had a unique philosophy: fashion should be accessible to everyone. Whether you were a millionaire, middle-class, or struggling to make ends meet, Angel Wear had something for you.

For the elite and socialites, Angel Wear offered exclusive custom-made designs, crafted from luxurious fabrics and stitched with the finest hands. Each piece whispered class and screamed wealth.

For middle-class citizens, the brand offered stylish yet affordable outfits. They were fashionable enough to stand out and budget-friendly enough not to break the bank. These designs gave people confidence and pride.

Even the lower-income earners were not left out. Angel Wear had lines specifically tailored for them—simpler styles, affordable prices, but still carrying the charm and quality the brand was known for. It made them feel closer to the world of luxury, even if just by owning one item from their wish list.

Angel Wear was a brand for all. Over the years, it had steadily risen to become a leader in the fashion industry—not just in Country Y, but internationally. And with every fashion week, the excitement only grew.

The company’s annual Fashion Week was not just a show—it was a movement. Citizens from all walks of life marked the date in their calendars. Fashion lovers gathered, social media buzzed, and the media covered

The brand’s fashion events were always spectacular. Invitations were exclusive, the runway shows extravagant, and the designs unforgettable.

This year, however, the buzz started even earlier than usual yet with a questioning outlook.

For years, people believed Richard was the head of the company. He had always taken public responsibility for the brand, appeared in interviews, and represented Angel Wear at major events.

But now, with doubts surfacing. Some speculated there was someone else behind the scenes, someone more powerful, more creative.

The news continuously spread like wildfire across social media. Hashtags trended overnight. Threads speculated. Theories clashed online. #Real Boss Of Angel’s Wear #Who Designs Our Dreams?

The conversation exploded. Within hours, several blogs and news outlets picked up the story. Comment sections filled with theories.

The public was divided. Some remained loyal to Richard, while others claimed there had always been a mystery figure pulling the strings.

After a few moments of reading through the post as it continued gaining momentum, he leaned back slightly his eyes narrowing and muttered.

"This kind of hype would have been great if we were about to launch... But four months early? That’s way off schedule."

Jessica nodded. "Exactly. We haven’t started promotions yet. No dates announced. No press releases. Nothing. And now this?"

Her voice was tight with frustration. She had spent weeks working day and night to prepare the designs for the upcoming show.

She had reviewed countless drafts from the company’s top designers. A final meeting had been scheduled to decide which designs would make the final cut.

Now, with all eyes suddenly on the identity of the company’s mysterious boss, it seemed the attention was shifting from the fashion itself to something she can’t afford at the moment—identity.

Her chest rose and fell with quiet anxiety. "This shouldn’t be happening now. It’s too early. Too suspicious."

Davis rubbed his temples in deep thought. "Four months before launch, right?"

"Yes." She nodded again, her fingers drumming against her knee.

Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. Davis reached for it and handed it over. She picked it up quickly. Richard’s voice came through, filled with concern.

"What is going on?" he asked without any greeting.

Jessica raised a brow, slightly amused despite the tension. "Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Who released this kind of news at this time?"

"I don’t know," Richard admitted, sighing heavily. "We’ve been trying to trace the source, but whoever it is has covered their tracks well. It could only mean one thing..."

"My identity might be exposed," Jessica finished for him, her voice low.

"Or someone from within the team leaked it," Richard added grimly.

Jessica’s mind raced. The thought of her secret being out was terrifying. If people knew she was the true creative mind behind Angel Wears, her peace, safety, and business freedom could all be at risk.

She sighed and softened her tone. "Don’t stress too much. Let the news die out naturally. But this is a warning—we need to be more careful."

After a few more words, she ended the call and turned to Davis with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "You know what?"

He raised a brow. "What?"

"I have the perfect solution."

"Change the designs immediately," they both said at once.

They stared at each other in surprise, then laughed lightly at their shared thought.

Jessica gave Richard a call again, instructing him to cancel the upcoming designer meeting. She would take full control of the launch preparations from now on.

She had already envisioned something new and unexpected—something no one would anticipate, even if the rumors were true.

With the new decision made, she felt a small weight lift from her shoulders. But just as she was about to relax, her phone buzzed again with a notification.

She checked it.

"In appreciation of your effort, the Santiagos invite you for dinner at their residence. You can choose the date and communicate with me." – Donald freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Jessica stared at the message and rubbed her forehead. A dull ache began to build behind her eyes.

The Santiagos again.

With a click she shut the screen off.

Seeing her try to ignore the text, he sighed.

"You can schedule a date to meet with them. It should help clear some things up, rather than avoiding them blindly. Since you’ve been given the privilege to choose, I think it’s wise to use it."

"Aren’t I worried about something unexpected happening?" she asked, her tone skeptical.

He pulled her gently into his arms, rubbing her shoulders.

"Whatever happens now shouldn’t be a surprise to you—because you’re ready to accept it, right?"

Jessica remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly.

"You’re right."

"Then accept whatever outcome you get with faith," he said softly.