Jean crumpled to the floor like a heap of wet towels. Blood dribbled out of his crooked nose and stained his white collar.
The ballroom went quiet. Even the soothing harp music stopped. The milling servants with white gloves and wine bottles froze in their tracks.
"Fuck…" Levi swatted his hand, shaking out the pain.
There was a jolt of microphone feedback. Yelena cleared her throat. "Thank you everyone for your attendance this evening, but the AE sponsorship dinner is hereby cancelled. Rest assured, your entrees and desserts will be available to-go. We will have them boxed up and waiting in your valet vehicles. Again, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to future collaboration."
For a moment, the guests didn't budge. Didn't breathe.
What good was damage control at this point? There were over three hundred witnesses and the media already captured snapshots of the moment Levi's rage won out. There was no way to spin it.
"You heard the woman. Beat it," Levi's sharp voice cut through the shocked silence. He cradled his bruising knuckles, eyeing the glittering guests with disdain. "Now."
The screech of a chair caught Karma's eye as she clung to Levi's sleeve. Across the room, a bearded man tossed down his napkin.
"Of all the debacles…" The man rubbed his face. "Over her no less."
"Piss off, Walter. Your films are ass," Levi said loud enough for the man, Walter Milston of Milston Entertainment, to hear. With a huff, the man's polished loafers carried him out of the room.
Following suit, another man rose from his seat, murmuring under his breath about the blatant disrespect. Soon, half of Ackerman Enterprises' sponsors were on their feet, strutting towards the exit.
"Unbelievable."
"What a disaster."
"Are you really surprised? This is Levi Ackerman we're talking about…"
Karma tore her gaze from the guests to look at the Scouts. Connie's mouth was wide open. Armin's was covered with a shocked hand. Reiner blinked and rushed forward to Jean's side. And Mikasa was looking right at Karma, giving her a strange expression.
"C'mon, Armin, Connie—someone give me a hand."
Armin snapped from his daze before Connie did, scurrying to help Reiner drag Jean out of the room. Jean groaned, head falling back as the two men heaved him towards the exit doors by the armpits.
"God…" Sage looped her arm around Connie's elbow, casting Karma an apologetic look before following the others from the room. For once, she didn't look thrilled about a juicy piece of gossip.
That just left Mikasa.
"Mikasa… I don't know what to say. This is all my fault—" Karma began.
But Mikasa wasn't looking at her anymore. She was looking at Levi. "Again? Beating up Eren wasn't enough for you?"
Levi ignored her, examining the gashes in his knuckles.
"I was really looking forward to tonight." Mikasa grabbed her clutch. "Believe it or not, some of us still care about you, Captain—even Jean. But if you're so determined to push us away, we'll take the hint."
She left.
Karma sank to the floor, watching through teary eyes as Mikasa and the last of the sponsors fled with angry red ears. Watching as Ackerman Enterprises crumbled around her. She could already predict tomorrow's headlines: "AE Stocks Reach All-Time Low!" "Sponsors Run for their Lives!" "Karma Finally Rears Her Ugly Head!" "Ackerman Enterprises: Another Ghost of the Past."
She sensed a couple photos being taken of her crying on the floor before Yelena chased the last of the paparazzi from the room.
The spacious ballroom was essentially cleared out now except for some congestion at the exit. It happened so fast. One moment, Karma was hopeful for reconciliation. The next, Jean was calling her a killer and a whore and collapsing to the tiles.
Levi sank to the ground beside Karma. "Are you crying because of what that horse-faced idiot said?"
She shook her head. "I don't care about what he said anymore. Not after you stood up for me."
"I'm sorry."
"Why? I loved watching you shut Jean up." Karma wiped her cheeks dry with her shoulder. She wouldn't be surprised if the glittery fabric of her dress left streaks of stardust on her cheeks.
"He wouldn't have run his mouth if I had been there the whole time. I was being a coward."
"It's okay. That fight was his fault. Not yours."
"That's not what the press is gonna say."
"You're right." Karma sighed. She looked up at the chandeliers. "I really thought tonight would fix everything. I feel like an idiot…"
"There's nothing to fix. I already have everything."
"Levi, that's really sweet. But you just lost your friends and company and whatever shot at a good public image you ever had. You've been the bad guy for long enough. I've only had a taste of that, and it sucks."
"Tastes like shit, huh?"
"Worse than shit."
Levi half smiled. He reached for her hand and Karma saw the cuts and bruises.
"Oh my god—" She reached for a discarded napkin and pressed it to his knuckles to staunch the bleeding.
"Did you just get that off the floor?"
"Shush."
"Haven't seen you in caretaker mode for a while."
Karma glanced up at him. "Force of habit, I guess. Does it hurt?"
He shook his head.
"Jesus…I think you might've fractured something."
"It's fine."
"Levi, it's allowed to hurt, you know." She scrutinized him. "Why do you always insist on toughing it out?"
"Force of habit, I guess." He offered a crooked smile.
She exhaled a laugh, rubbing her thumb over the napkin, feeling the grooves of his knuckles underneath. "Want to know the worst part?"
"What?"
"I was already planning trips in my head that we could all go on together. And I was imagining everyone at my piano recitals. God, I even thought we could all work together to fix Old Marley. And get it right this time…"
"We don't need them." Levi pulled the napkin away. It was streaked with blood. He lifted his injured hand to hold her chin. "I have you. Why should I need more than that?"
"Of course you have me. But… I mean, any way you look at it, what happened tonight was really my fault. If I would've just told you about Wickham's blackmail from the beginning, we would've never had to resort to a Scout Reunion."
"Karma—"
"You know it's true. I fucked up. And because of that, I'm all you got left. Thank god you think it's enough, but I think you deserve more. You deserve success and friends and good press."
"You think I'd trade you for any of that shit?"
Karma didn't have an answer. She just flickered her gaze between his steel-blue and ice-white iris.
"Look…" Levi leaned closer. It took him a moment to get the words out. "I love you. So stop sulking. You're all I need, alright?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
"Don't make me say it again."
"I won't." Karma smiled. "Because I believe you."
"Good." Levi dropped his hand from her chin, letting it drag down her neck and collarbone before it landed in his lap. "I don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow, but I'll do whatever I have to to give you a good life even if AE goes under. I'll sell the penthouse and the cars if I have to. None of that shit will make a difference to the shareholders at this point anyway."
"Are you gonna cut the Scouts off?"
"I don't know yet." He rubbed a streak of stardust off her cheek. "But you're first. I'll make sure you can finish music school."
Music school… At the mention of that, Karma's heart plummeted. "They're gonna kick me out. The MSA said one more scandal and I'm done." Tears filled her eyes again. Dammit, she was so sick of crying.
"Like hell they will." Levi cupped her face. "We're gonna get through this shit. Whatever happens with AE and that moron's program."
She nodded, leaning forward to meet his lips. "Okay. I believe you."
Brawl at the War Heroes' Reunion! Is War Ever Truly Over?
September 1st, Adalia May
Drama, scandal, and violence—you had to be there to believe it! Last night's Ackerman Enterprises sponsorship dinner was a spectacle Marley won't forget. The heartwarming Scout Reunion we've all been waiting for quickly soured when tensions erupted between Levi Ackerman and Jean Kirstein.
And just what could tear these former comrades apart? Can you take a guess? Of course, it was Karma Adornato—Ackerman's scandal-prone mistress. Kirstein, soon-to-be husband of Mikasa Ackerman, wasn't afraid to call out Adornato's sleazy behavior. But Levi Ackerman wasn't having it. In a moment now splashed across headlines, Ackerman let his temper fly while Kirstein took a blow in defense of his beliefs. Seems the infamous Titan-slayer is just as fearsome as we always believed.
As for Adornato, she was caught in this snapshot crying crocodile tears as the fallout unfolded. After that Moriano scandal, it seems karma is finally rearing her ugly head…
But now, Ackerman faces a choice bigger than his pride. Sources confirm that a substantial number of investors are ready to pull the plug on Ackerman Enterprises. "It was highly unprofessional. He has forty-eight hours to rethink his choices," an anonymous sponsor told Marley Today. "Either he cuts ties with her, or we cut ties with him."
Just when Levi Ackerman seemed to be regaining his footing, Adornato pulled the rug. Is this the end of their polarizing romance? Will Ackerman hole away in Marble Estates for good this time? Or will he make the only choice that can save his empire?
Stay tuned, Marley Today readers—this story is far from over.
Karma finished reading the article over Levi's shoulder the same moment he did. She could tell because they sighed in sync. She put her spoon down in her oatmeal and set the bowl on the coffee table. Jean was tucked underneath the table curled over his paws, fast asleep. That cat loved confined spaces.
"What are you gonna do, Levi?" Karma watched him fold the newspaper and toss it on an end table. He glanced at her.
"Are you worried I'm gonna pick the company over you?"
She shook her head. "You love me way too much to ever do that." She smiled, poking his leg. She teased him for those three words he'd admitted last night every chance she got. "But seriously. Do you have a plan or something?"
"No."
"Then how are you so calm? AE is screwed."
Levi tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and shrugged.
"I'm surprised no one is mentioning the other stuff Jean said. All that talk of greed and Old and New Marley," Karma continued. "It's like the only thing that stuck was the 'whore' comment."
"That was the pinnacle, just before the punch." Levi continued to smooth strands of hair from her face. "God, do you even own a hairbrush?"
Karma scoffed and shoved him, both of them smiling. "I'm just saying—if people were actually paying attention, they could've figured out that the Scouts had been in business together. Didn't Jean technically violate his NDA?"
"What would I do if he did? Punch him in the face? Already done."
She laughed. "Maybe you could cut him off. Teach him better than to talk shit about how you spend your money."
Levi didn't answer for several moments. His gaze was faraway again, even as he smoothed her unruly hair. Then he changed the subject. "Are you gonna call the MSA?"
"The office opens at nine. To be honest, I'm not hopeful." Tears were already budding in her eyes.
"Put up a fight. Give me the phone if you want me to cuss them out."
"Well—"
The penthouse door burst open. It was Yelena. Jean shrieked and cowered deeper under the coffee table.
"For the love of god." Levi dropped his hand from Karma's face. "I thought we were safe from you during sunlit hours—don't you have a coffin to lay in?"
"This isn't funny, Mr. Ackerman." Yelena took a seat on the armchair. "You know why I'm here." Her cold eyes landed on Karma. "I told you, I don't give third chances."
Karma kept her lips shut. But what could Yelena possibly do to convince her to leave Levi to save AE? Threaten to kick her out of the MSA? As if her spot was even secured at this point.
Karma folded her hands in her lap and waited.
"But I am willing to be merciful. If you leave now, Miss Karma, I can put in a good word for you at the MSA. You might be able to keep your spot."
Karma's heart thudded faster. Could Yelena really do that? But she held her ground. "Not interested."
"I expected as much." Yelena turned to Levi. "There's nothing I can do to spin last night's incident in our favor. Miss Karma is a plague—people hate you for sticking with her. It goes without saying that your relationship is poison to this company. I'm formally requesting that you do what needs to be done, Mr. Ackerman." She passed a stack of papers. It was some sort of contract. Karma saw her name sprinkled throughout.
Levi raised a brow. "You're requesting that I terminate my relationship for the company? Seriously?"
"I understand that it's inconvenient. But this is a decision you must make as a businessman. Do you care about the years you spent building AE or not? What about the livelihood of your employees and 'friends'?" Yelena cherry-topped the document with a fountain pen and pushed the stack closer to Levi. "Purging yourself of love is a smart choice, regardless."
Karma leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
"Love makes you careless and stupid. It makes you take a Titan bite to the leg. Or compromise your company by punching former colleagues in the face." Yelena's eyes narrowed at Levi.
"Yelena…is that what you did? Purged yourself of love?" Karma quirked her head. She'd never given much thought to Yelena's personal life before. The woman seemed asexual, untempted by the idea of romance entirely.
Yelena sat up straighter. "Yes. If you must know, I had a relationship. But the moment it compromised my job, I made the obvious choice. And I didn't linger in grief. I moved on. I have no regrets."
Karma let the words settle before speaking up again. "So, if something happens to AE, you'll be left with nothing. That's why you always push Levi so hard."
This earned her an eye roll from Yelena. "I won't have nothing. I'll have an impressive resume. But…AE has been my priority for many years. I suppose you could say I 'love' this company." Then her eyes hardened, shifting back to Levi. "Needless to say, Mr. Ackerman, nothing but trouble follows this girl. Do yourself a favor and get rid of her. You've read the papers. You have forty-eight hours."
Levi grabbed Karma's hand. "You're gone before she is, beardface."
"Then AE is done for."
"No. It's not," he said. "You're right. Karma's bad for the company, but I'm not abandoning her."
"Oh? And what do you plan to do? Have a public break up and continue to date in secret? The exact opposite of the initial fake romance scheme? Careful, Mr. Ackerman. You've seen how good she is at keeping secrets."
"No." He seemed to reach a decision. He steadied his gaze. "I'm stepping down. You'll run things from here on out."
Yelena's nostrils flared. "Are you messing with me, Mr. Ackerman?"
He didn't flinch. "It's the only shot AE has. Steve Bark wouldn't shut up last night about how much better things would be if I took a back seat. So, to hell with it. I'm done. AE is yours."
"Levi…" Karma was stunned, but flattered. Levi was choosing her, in the most utter and complete sense. In a way, because of the potential AE had to skew the global economy, he was choosing her over the entire world.
He offered her a subtle smile before turning back to Yelena. "Just keep the shareholders happy, but don't let them get greedy. You're more than capable."
Yelena smoothed her slacks at the knees. "Finally. Something we can agree on." She adjusted her black suit coat. "Well…if that's the case, maybe I can put in a good word with the MSA after all."
Karma's mouth dropped open as Yelena pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. Her heart raced. Maybe everything would work out after all.
Yelena tucked her phone away. "I'll look forward to the transfer papers, Mr. Ackerman."
"Sure."
Yelena left.
Karma snatched up her phone with moist palms. It was just past nine. She glanced at Levi, who gave her a nod, then dialed up the number for the MSA.
A woman picked up. They exchanged a few words before Karma's heart shattered.
"We are sincerely sorry, Miss Adornato. You are a bright, shining talent. But the Moriano School of Arts was already on thin ice after your scandal with our founder. We have no choice but to remove you from our program."
"But Yelena Erastis contacted someone on the school board—please. Don't cut me out just yet."
"One moment."
Karma nibbled her thumbnail while the on-hold music played for three loops.
"We received Miss Erastis's message. In a show of goodwill, Mr. Moriano welcomes you to audition again before the spring semester. However, with the public watching the MSA's every move, it is highly unlikely that we'll be in a position to take you back if your reputation continues as it has."
"Bullshit. Put Wickham on the phone now. He owes me!"
Levi nudged Karma, ready to cuss someone out for her. She shook her head and pressed the phone harder to her ear.
"Miss Adornato, we assure you, this decision comes from Mr. Moriano himself. He wanted us to emphasize that it was a difficult choice given how he admires you so greatly—"
Karma hung up, slamming her phone face down into the couch cushion. She knew her spot was as good as gone, but having it confirmed so plainly was like a punch right to the heart. And after Yelena already tried to pull some strings too. Her last hope was dead. Her dream was over.
"Dammit… I shouldn't even care…" Karma slumped back onto the couch, defeated. Jean poked his head from the coffee table. He hopped onto her lap and curled against her. "Little attention soaker…" She stroked his fur.
Levi rested his hand on her knee. "Fuck them. I don't want that moron hearing your music anyway. It's too good for him."
She sniffled. "Thanks, Levi."
"You're not done. You'll be a concert pianist."
Karma thumped her head against the couch, looking up at the bubble pendant light fixture. "I'll be your pianist. No one else wants to listen to me play anymore. Who the hell is gonna show up to my concerts?"
He squeezed her knee. "Good. More for me."
Karma sighed. She was enough for Levi—he'd said as much. Wasn't he enough for her too? She puffed her cheeks, willing the tears to stop before they started. "So, you're really gonna let Yelena run the company?"
"I have to. I'm not giving you up to make those idiots happy."
"You know, if you told the media the truth, maybe you wouldn't have to step down. And maybe they'd let me back in my program." She traced her fingers along the back of his hand. "Everyone would take your side if they knew what you did for your friends—EE, the media fallout, the money…"
Levi watched her hand glide over his. He didn't respond.
Revealing the truth would save her and Levi, but it would ruin his friends. A selfish part of her wanted to beg Levi to forget them. To put her and himself first. But she had no right.
"Will you promise to think about it, at least?" Karma's throat was tight. She shouldn't cling to hope. But she did anyway.
"I'll think about it," he finally said.
"You still love them."
"Yeah."
"They'd be stupid not to love you back. Even after last night."
"That's what they are. Stupid." He took a big breath. "I never realized you could lose friends to life the same way you can lose them to death."
Karma gave his words the silence they deserved before answering. "Maybe horse-brain is stupid, but Mikasa still cares. And so do the rest of them."
"They'll never agree to see me again."
He was right, and she knew it. Even Sage was keeping her distance in light of the Scout Reunion fallout. A text came through this morning that made Karma's heart crumple like a paper ball:
sorry karms.. but NM doesnt want me seen with u.. it might tarnish their image. lets catch up sometime at vinnys yeah? i'll borrow connie's sunglasses
Karma tilted her cheek against the cushion, looking at Levi. "I can't help but hold on to my stupid dream."
"Music school?"
"Well, yes. But I mean the one where all of us get together and get along. Where they come to my concerts and we fix Old Marley."
"That's not stupid. Just unrealistic." He leaned in to kiss her temple. "Stop worrying about dreams. Worry about what's real."
He laced their hands together and she felt the nubs of his missing fingers and the warmth of Jean on her lap.
She gave a tight smile. A nod. "Alright."
Time's Up for Levi Ackerman: Love Over Leadership, but at What Cost?
September 3rd, Stacy Burns, BBA
After Levi Ackerman's infamous altercation with Jean Kirstein—paired with his ongoing association with the ever-controversial Karma Adornato and his apparent disinterest in corporate expansion—investors gave him forty-eight hours to make a choice: love or leadership.
It seems he's made his decision.
In response, Chief Operating Officer Yelena Erastis is finalizing her takeover, rebranding the company as Erastis Enterprises in a bid to signal a fresh start.
You have to admit, EE has a nice ring to it…
However, sources confirm this reassurance isn't enough—investors demand absolute proof that Ackerman is completely severed from the company, or they're pulling their funding.
"Ackerman has been a chokehold on this company," says long-time investor Steve Bark. "His refusal to expand overseas, his damn physical condition, his so-called need for a 'caretaker'—it's all been dead weight. Erastis has the drive and vision to take AE global. We're done waiting."
Walter Milston of Milston Entertainment was even more direct: "If Ackerman wants to throw his legacy away over some Old Marley [redacted, that's his choice. But we're making ours. We're choosing Erastis. She's the leader we need to restore professionalism and secure AE's future."
With shareholders unified in their ultimatum, speculation is mounting over how the company can prove Ackerman is truly out of the picture. Some suggest the only way to satisfy investors is for him to leave New Marley entirely—a complete exile.
And where would that leave him? Receding into the grime of Old Marley like a washed-up relic, or facing the Yeagerists in Paradis, where his welcome would be even colder? Either way, it's a bleak road ahead.
But perhaps that's for the best. Because whether he slinks away into obscurity or gets himself killed across the sea, one thing is certain—New Marley is finally rid of Levi Ackerman.