Beneath the Surface

Chapter 56

It had been two weeks since Y/N's proposal, and while their engagement had filled both of them with joy, the media attention had exploded beyond anything Lizzie had expected. With the upcoming Wandavision series generating buzz, her popularity was already at an all-time high. Now, with the engagement to Y/N, her life had become the center of attention in a way she hadn't anticipated—and wasn't entirely comfortable with.

Lizzie had done her best to manage the chaos, leaning on Y/N for support. Y/N had made sure Viktor and her security team were always around, especially with the tensions brewing in the mafia world as Y/N transitioned out. Though Y/N was working toward retirement, her high-profile engagement had caught the attention of those who weren't thrilled with the shift in power.

But today, it wasn't the mafia causing problems. It was the paparazzi—and Lizzie's own agency.

Lizzie sat in the boardroom of her agency's office, tapping her fingers anxiously against the sleek glass table. Her agent, Sarah, was seated across from her, flanked by a couple of executives from the agency. They'd been discussing Lizzie's career trajectory, her future projects, and—unsurprisingly—her engagement to Y/N.

"I really think this could be a major PR boost for you, Lizzie," Sarah said, flipping through a folder of notes. "With Wandavision about to premiere and your engagement, you're everywhere right now. We want to capitalize on that."

Lizzie's stomach churned. She'd been hearing this for weeks now, ever since the engagement went public. Everyone seemed to want a piece of it—of her and Y/N—but that was the last thing Lizzie wanted.

"I don't want to capitalize on it," Lizzie said, her voice firm. "This isn't about the media. It's about me and Y/N. I don't need a huge press tour or photoshoots about the engagement."

Sarah sighed, glancing at the executives beside her. "Lizzie, you know how this industry works. The more visibility you have, the better. We could do a magazine cover, a spread about the engagement. It would show a more personal side of you—"

"No," Lizzie interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm not using my engagement for publicity. Y/N and I are private people. I'm not interested in a media circus around something that's supposed to be personal."

The room fell quiet for a moment, tension hanging in the air. Lizzie could see the discomfort on their faces, but she didn't care. This wasn't negotiable.

"We understand your concerns," Sarah began carefully, "but we really believe this would be good for your career. You're already so popular right now, and—"

"If you keep pushing this," Lizzie cut in, her eyes narrowing, "I'll walk. I don't have an issue finding someone else who respects my boundaries."

The tension in the room snapped like a taut wire. Sarah's eyes widened slightly, and the executives exchanged nervous glances.

"You're serious?" She asked, her voice softer now.

"Dead serious," Lizzie replied, her tone unwavering. "I'm not interested in using my personal life for attention. If you can't respect that, then maybe I'm with the wrong agency."

The silence was deafening, but Lizzie held her ground, her heart racing. She knew the power she held, and she wasn't afraid to use it if they kept pushing her in the wrong direction.

After a few moments, Sarah cleared her throat, nodding slowly. "We understand. We'll respect your wishes, Lizzie."

Lizzie exhaled quietly, relieved that the conversation was finally over. "Thank you."

The rest of the meeting wrapped up quickly, the atmosphere still tense but manageable. As Lizzie grabbed her bag and left the room, she could feel the weight of the decision lifting off her shoulders. It wasn't over—not by a long shot—but at least she had made it clear where she stood.