CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Following the clues, Samantha could find the reporter. She did her research online and found an old picture of him; she read all she could discover. She also sent an inquiry to Roxy, but they didn't know anything.

In the end, she went to the address written on the piece of paper Roger gave her. It was the fastest and easiest tactic.

If she was lucky, she could find the reporter, tell him a word or two, and return to the company in time for the attack! She was ready to fight, but Nate had told her that stopping gossip was more urgent. And she believed him.

Especially after noticing the map on the blackboard of the reporter's office. She read it all, noticing how he had found out most of the attacks the LY Corp had carried out against Mayford. Even some of the most hidden ones.

He hadn't published anything, but he knew quite a lot. Was he writing another article? In the end, to him, it looked like CEO Woods was a petty man who would ruin an opponent because he dared to look at his woman.

That kind of drama was loved by humans. Samantha pursed her lips, unhappy. Nate was so right about sending her on a mission! Even if she preferred to fight than deal with tricky human reporters.

«I see you're doing your job right,» she said.

The man winced, hearing her voice. He was going to walk in, but there was no way that woman could see him while sitting on that chair and at that angle. Yet, her tone didn't look casual as if she had talked by chance. Somehow, it felt as if she knew with utter precision about his position and movements.

He stepped inside, renouncing to hide the blackboard and the connections he had drawn on it. He had been discovered, either way. Too bad this article was almost ready. He was going to publish it in the following issue of their magazine...

«You asked Roger about me,» he said. «That's the only way you could find me so fast.»

«You didn't sign the article, but your way of writing and finding juicy information is quite special. I would have come here even without Roger, but he saved my time.»

«What can I do for you, Miss Murphy? Are you here for the matter about Mr Woods?»

«You can guess. I'm here to stop you before you make a bad choice. Stop your investigations and let Nate Woods and Lara Clayton live their life. They deserve some calm and happiness.»

«You're so interesting, Miss Murphy. I would have liked to write more about you, but you stopped being seen around. After that event for Blue Moon's anniversary, at that. What a coincidence. Is that when Nathaniel Woods stole Luciano Polenta's woman?»

«What? Are you nuts? Nathaniel Woods always had one woman, and she's the one at his arm,» Samantha pointed out.

«I see... So Luciano Polenta tried stealing Lara Clayton? Was that the reason for all the tension in the pictures?»

«That... No?» Well, technically, he did steal her away for a few hours. But not in the sense the reporter meant.

«The simple fact that you came here is proof enough that something is going on. I will find out what, and I'll write the article,» he said.

«You don't want to do that. It's not because of some fishy business or some complicated heart matters. It's just that they need peace and quiet. It's their right to live their life together and away from busybodies.»

«It's the right of the public to know what happens to...»

«Ah,» Samantha snorted, rolling her eyes. «No, it is not. You have no right to ruin their life just because you're curious!»

«It's my job. This is my way of feeding my family. Not everyone is lucky like you are, Miss Murphy.»

«I see... Since threats don't work, I can offer you something in exchange. Let go of Nate, and I'll tell you about myself. Aren't you curious?»

«Hmm? About how Samantha Murphy is the first to support Nathaniel Woods's new flame? Even forgetting her own chance of sitting at that place, on his right.»

«I don't need to sit on his right. Not directly, at least. One or two places farther are okay for me. He's my cousin, you know? We are like siblings. But you people see only what you want to see.

Wicked intentions where there aren't any, and gossip where people have no intentions at all.»

She crossed her arms, smiling wily.

«So, are you interested in me, now?»

«Samantha Murphy, Nathaniel Woods's younger cousin?» he said, dumbfounded. How could everyone miss that link?

«My mother and his father are siblings. I've grown up close to him and his family, and I started working for the company. I became a manager thanks to my skills and not familiar links, but I won't blame you for not believing it. I used to have doubts as well, from time to time.»

«That's interesting, but giving up love struggles is not easy. Your familiar link to the Woods isn't as promising as Nathaniel Woods's jealous moves.»

«He's not jealous,» she said, but it didn't sound convincing. «But well, you need love affairs to sell copies. If that is true, we can find an agreement.»

«You don't have an affair.»

«Really?» she chuckled. «I can make one just to help you sell. Wouldn't that be awesome? I mean, even more than Nathaniel Woods's woman. It's not such a novelty either.»

«Well... But fake love stories are a difficult matter to handle. Even actors struggle at keeping it believable.»

«What if it's not fake?»

«Hmm... Do you even like people enough for that?»

«I do.»

«And... is it a man or a woman?»

«A man,» she said, blinking confusedly. Had she ever given any signal about liking women? Or was that man just looking for any gossip?

«But I can't tell you everything just like this. What if you use my information but don't keep your promise? I can't believe you just because you say it,» she added. There still was the risk that the reporter published the gossip about Nate even if he promised not to.