Helena sat in the living room, her heart heavy with sorrow as she scrolled through the news articles on her tablet. The headlines screamed of her alleged involvement in Israel's death, and with each word, she felt her reputation crumbling.
Arthur entered the living room and caught Helena crying again and it broke his heart. He vowed to make the Lewises pay for what they did.
"Helena," Arthur said softly, his face etched with concern. He sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'm so sorry about all this. I promise you, we'll put an end to these rumors."
Helena leaned into his comforting embrace, tears streaming down her face. "It's just so unfair, Arthur. They're tarnishing Israel's memory, and they're hurting my career. My book sales are plummeting because of this."
"Oh, baby," he pressed a gentle kiss on Helena's forehead to console her. He lifted her and sat on his lap. "I have talked to Jordan Lewis and I made it clear to him that their actions have consequences and it would be hard. I am so done with all their schemes."
"Arthur, what do you mean by that?" Helena looked up at Arthur in confusion, her face dripping with tears.
"Let's fight back," Arthur suggested with determination in his eyes. "We'll give a press statement and clear your name. I'll have Ashton call the press right now and arrange for a conference."
"Thank you, baby," Helena whispered, wiping her tears. "But we need evidence to prove my innocence. I have letters from Israel that his secretary sent me. They reveal how his parents tried to control him. I think it's time to share them with the world."
"Then let's get those letters," Arthur said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
Helena nodded. "Yes. Will you come with me?"
"Of course. You're not going anywhere without me. I'll have to ask Ashton to take care of the company before we go."
On their way to  San Antonio, Helena couldn't help but ask about the men in suits tailing them wherever they went. "Baby, why do we always have bodyguards with us? Are you in danger?"
Arthur had expected he would have this conversation with Helena. He heaved a sigh before shifting in her direction. "Listen, baby, I know you've been through a lot but know I'll always keep you safe," he began. "As you know, I couldn't trust the Lewises anymore, so I already expected the worst and did not wait for anything bad to happen to you."
"You mean to say, this is all for me?" Her eyes widened. "Are they targeting me again like they did before?"
"Well, that didn't happen now because of the security I put in San Antonio. I had to be proactive, so they wouldn't harm you again."
Helena was even more confused. "You put securities in San Antonio? For me? How?"
Arthur sighed heavily. "Did you notice those men and women roaming around claiming they are camping nearby?"
Helena recalled, there are indeed people claiming they are tourists. "Yeah, I talked to some of them. One woman told me they just started last week."
"Well, I personally asked Ashton to put some women so you wouldn't be intimidated by their presence. So, from now on, we will have bodyguards with us. Baby, I'm afraid, you have to get used to it," Arthur said gently.
"Honestly, I don't like having them around but thank you for doing all of this for me."
"Me, either. I'm not used to having men tailing me. But, life changed."
Helena bit her lower lip as another question forming in her mind, she has been meaning to ask Arthur about. "Arthur, after you left San Antonio for the first time, Lewises stopped bothering me. What did you do?"
"I made a deal with them. A business deal that would save their company, but now, they broke that deal, so I had to expect worse. Jordan was so adamant about us being a family, yet he couldn't keep his word. He didn't think of the bigger price at stake. I thought he was smarter than that."
Helena didn't understand everything Arthur said, but one thing is for sure. He moved heaven and earth to protect her, and she couldn't be happier.
Arthur and Helena arrived at the beach house to retrieve the stack of letters hidden in Helena's desk drawer. As she held them in her hands, memories of Israel flooded her mind, and she couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes again. He was her first love, and she always cherished their shared moments.
The day of the press conference arrived, and Helena stood nervously before the assembled reporters, Arthur by her side. She clutched the letters tightly in her hands, taking a deep breath before beginning her statement.
"Thank you all for coming," she began, shaking slightly. "I stand before you today to address the accusations against me by the parents of my late boyfriend, Israel Lewis."
As Helena spoke, the emotion in her voice was palpable, as if she was reliving the pain of losing Israel all over again. "Israel was a kind, loving, and gentle soul. I will always respect and cherish the time we spent together."
"However," she continued, holding up the letters for the press to see, "these letters from Israel—sent through his secretary—reveal the truth about his relationship with his parents. They tried to control his life, driving him to the brink."
Arthur took a step forward, adding, "We also have Israel's secretary here today, who can testify to the authenticity of these letters and confirm that everything Helena is saying is true."
As Helena read excerpts from the letters aloud, the reporters scribbled furiously in their notepads, the room filled with the sound of clicking cameras. By the end of her statement, it was clear that the tide had turned in her favor.
"Israel deserved better than this," Helena concluded, her voice steadier now. "I won't let his memory be tarnished by lies and deceit. Thank you all for listening and helping me set the record straight."
As they left the stage, Arthur embraced Helena, whispering words of support and love into her ear. "You did great, baby. I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you so much, Arthur. I wouldn't be able to do all of this without you."
Together, they had faced the storm and emerged more robust than ever.
The following morning, headlines across newspapers and news websites condemned the Lewises for their deceitful actions. The public's outrage was palpable as they read about how Jordan and Lauren Lewis had lied to the press, accusing Helena of causing their son's death when their controlling behavior had driven Israel to his tragic end.
"Jordan and Lauren Lewis: The Parents Who Destroyed Their Own Son," one headline read, while another declared, "Lewis Group of Companies on the Verge of Bankruptcy as Revelations Surface. Business Merge With Hendricks Earthwise Consortium Was Pulled Out."
Helena and Arthur sat together at the breakfast table in his penthouse, sipping coffee as they scrolled through the news articles. Despite the vindication she felt at having cleared her name, Helena couldn't help but worry about the consequences her actions might have had on others.
"Arthur," she began hesitantly, "your company's merger with the Lewis Group... I didn't mean to jeopardize it. If there's anything I can do—"
Arthur shook his head, interrupting her. "Helena, you've got nothing to feel guilty about. You were only defending yourself and Israel's memory. Besides, I'd already decided to end the merger before all this happened."
"Really?" Helena asked, surprised. "Why?"
"Because they broke our agreement," he replied, anger simmering beneath his calm facade. "I'd only agreed to the merger on the condition that they wouldn't harm you. When they returned to their word, I knew I couldn't trust them as business partners."
"Are you sure your company will be okay without the merger of their company?" Helena questioned, her concern evident.
"Absolutely," Arthur assured her, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Hendricks Earthwise Consortium is strong enough to weather this storm. It's the Lewis Group that'll suffer the consequences."
Helena's eyes glistened with gratitude. "You've given up so much for me."
"Anything for you, my love," Arthur replied, his gaze tender and unwavering.
As they finished their breakfast, Arthur's phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced at it and smiled. "Look at this," he said, showing her an article from a famous literary website. "Helena Greene: A Triumph of Truth and Love - Book Sales Soar Following Press Statement."
"Looks like people are finally seeing the real story," Helena said, allowing herself a small smile.
"Of course they are," Arthur responded confidently. "And together, we'll ensure that our love continues to triumph over any obstacle."
With that, they stood up from the table, ready to face the world as a united front, knowing their love and determination would see them through whatever challenges lay ahead.