'I Do' For Revenge-Chapter 84: The Launch

"You ready for this?" Axel asked, his hand resting gently on the small of my back as we stood outside the elevator to the rooftop venue for Eclipse Beauty’s pre-launch.

The warmth of his palm against the silk material of my emerald dress sent heat pooling low in my stomach, a sensation I was becoming dangerously familiar with.

I forced myself to focus on the night ahead rather than the way his touch, voice and cologne made my pulse quicken.

I smoothed the strap of my dress, meeting his eyes. "Born ready. Let’s make tonight unforgettable."

He squeezed my waist lightly. "You’ve got this. And I’ve got you."

The elevator doors slid open, and we walked into a lively setting. The rooftop was softly lit, with tables displaying Eclipse Beauty’s stylish, minimalist packaging.

Models showcased products with glowing skin beneath twinkling fairy lights, while influencers streamed live on Instagram and TikTok, sharing eco-friendly serums and creams with their followers.

"This is next-level," one blogger said into her phone, panning across a display. "You guys, the packaging alone is gorgeous, but wait until you see these ingredients. I mean, I can’t wait to try their acne removal. "

The crowd was lively, filled with industry leaders and media professionals enjoying lavender-infused cocktails. You could feel the excitement in the air.

I pulled out my phone, opening the app we’d built for pre-orders. "Axel, look at this."

He leaned over my shoulder, his cologne filling my senses. "What am I looking at?"

"The numbers. They’re climbing steadily. Ten thousand orders already, with more flooding in every second."

"Are you serious?"

"Thank God we upgraded the server last week. It’s handling the traffic like a champ."

He grinned, pulling out his own phone to check. "We’re killing it." His eyes sparkled, and for a moment, we shared a quiet thrill amidst the chaos. "At this rate, we’ll hit over one hundred thousand orders just tonight."

"Don’t jinx it," I said, but I couldn’t help smiling.

"I’m not jinxing anything. This is real, Layla. We did this."

Security was tight with metal detectors at every entrance and guards who blended in with the crowd. After the brick incident, we couldn’t take any chances.

Axel leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "No issues yet. Venue’s secure."

"Good. Let’s keep it that way."

I scanned the crowd, noting the familiar faces. Maya Cullen, the actress Axel had secured for our endorsement, was holding court near the display tables, raving about our sustainability practices to a circle of enraptured journalists.

Sarah from marketing was orchestrating photo ops like a conductor leading an orchestra.

Axel and I mingled with the crowd a bit, thanking some investors and board members for taking the time to grace the event.

Then I spotted her among the crowd. Erica walked in late, smiling brightly, but her eyes seemed a bit cautious as she made her way through the people.

"Layla, this is incredible," she said, pulling me into a hug. "You’ve outdone yourself."

"Glad you’re here," I said, steering her toward a display. "What do you think? Which product catches your eye?"

I watched her closely, catching her quick glances at the crowd, like she was searching for someone specific.

"They’re all beautiful," she said vaguely. "You must be so proud."

"We are. It’s been a journey."

"I bet. Especially with everything that happened this week. The data breach must have been devastating."

There it was. The fishing expedition I’d been expecting.

"We’re handling it," I said carefully. "These things happen in business."

"But to bounce back so quickly? That’s impressive."

Before I could respond, Axel clinked his glass with a spoon, drawing the room’s attention. All eyes turned to him as he stood near the centre of the rooftop.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began in his commanding yet warm voice. "Thank you for joining us tonight. Eclipse Beauty isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement. Sustainability, quality, empowerment. Tonight, we’re redefining beauty together."

The crowd erupted in applause, phones flashing as influencers captured every word. I could see the live stream numbers climbing on nearby screens.

He continued, "In a world where beauty often comes at the cost of our planet, we’re proving that you don’t have to choose. You can look good and feel good about your choices."

More applause. He gestured toward the displays. "Every product you see here tonight is cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, and designed with both your skin and the environment in mind. This is beauty with a conscience."

When he stepped back, I moved forward, my heart pounding but my voice steady. "We’ve faced challenges," I said, letting my gaze sweep across the crowd. "But Eclipse Beauty stands for resilience. You’re not just here for a launch; you’re part of a vision. Thank you for believing in us."

The cheers grew louder, and I could see orders spiking on my app in real time. I caught Axel’s eye across the crowd; his nod was a silent ’we did it.’

The next hour passed in a blur of handshakes, photos, and conversations. Industry leaders praised our formulations. Influencers promised features and reviews. Even the sceptical journalists seemed won over by the quality of the products and the authenticity of our mission.

But as I stepped down from yet another photo op, a security guard approached, looking tense. "Mrs. O’Brien, Mr. O’Brien, we’ve got a situation downstairs. Cassandra Hart’s trying to get in. She’s causing a scene."

Axel’s jaw tightened. "Let’s handle it."

"I’ll come with you," I said.

"No, stay here. Keep the guests happy."

"Axel, she’s my problem too. Let’s handle it together."

He nodded, and we took the elevator down. The rooftop’s warmth and excitement faded as we stepped out in the lobby, replaced by a cold sense of inevitability.

The lobby had bright fluorescent lights and marble floors that felt cold and unwelcoming.

Cassandra stood at the security checkpoint, her noticeable baby bump stretching the fabric of her tight crimson dress. Her sharp, loud voice echoed through the otherwise empty space.

"I’m an invited guest! She’s my sister. I invited her to mine, so why would you think she didn’t invite me to hers? This is outrageous!"

The guards blocked her path, unfazed by her theatrics. "You’re not on the list, Mrs. Hart."

"Check again! There must be a mistake!"

"We’ve checked three times. You’re not authorised to enter."

I stepped forward, Axel at my side. "Cassandra, you weren’t invited. Stop making a scene and leave, or security will escort you out."

Her eyes locked on mine, blazing with fury and desperation, maybe. "You think you can humiliate me? Steal my suppliers, fake a data breach, and now bar me from your little party?"

"I didn’t steal anything. Your supplier chose to work with us because we offer better terms and better products."

"You sabotaged me!"

"I competed with you. There’s a difference."

She took a step closer, her hands clenched at her sides. "I’ll ruin you, Layla. You think tonight’s a success? Just wait. I’ll make sure Eclipse Beauty crashes and burns before it even launches properly."

I exchanged a glance with Axel, a hint of amusement in my expression, before turning back to Cassandra. "And how exactly did you know the data breach was faked?"