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Meanwhile at the pavilion, Aliana read through the headlines while sipping tea. She sat back on the long sofa, a cup of steaming jasmine tea cradled in her hands.

In front of her, the tablet screen disyed rows of freshly published articles–all discussing the scandalous video Andrian and herself. The headlines were bold and mocking, but Aliana sipped her tea slowly, her expression almost unreadable.

‘Rafe, prepare an exit route. I need to meet Father as soon as possible.

While scrolling through the scandalous headlines, Aliana also opened an encrypted chat window on her phone. Her fingers moved swiftly as she messaged Rafe.

“The location is secured. But, bMiss/bb… /bthe Velor estate bis /bsurrounded by media. They’ve even deployed drones along the perimeter. Are you sure you can get out?‘

Aliana paused for a moment before replying.

‘I know. I’m working on an alternate route.

‘Shall we activate the forced extraction protocol?‘ Rafe asked.

‘No. Not yet. I still need to be here–for now, safely. I’ll think of something else.‘

b‘/bUnderstood.

Aliana closed the screen. Her gaze shifted to the window, staring out at the small garden that now felt more like a prison- surrounded by reporters. Every movement around the mansion was tightly monitored. She couldn’t move freely. Even stepping outside the pavilion drew unwanted attention.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs. Momentster, Elena knocked and entered in haste.

“Pardon me, Miss,” Elena said calmly, though her face showed worry. “You have a visitor…”

“Who is it?”

Elena swallowed. “Mrs. Olivia. Your mother.”

The teacup in Aliana’s hand nearly slipped. She stared at Elena sharply, as if to confirm what she’d just heard.

“My mother?”

“Yes, Miss.” Elena nodded gently. “She’s in the sitting room. I didn’t know whether to turn her away orb…/b”

Aliana drew a deep breath. “I’ll handle it.”

She stood, smoothing her expression. There was an awkward weight to every step she took toward the stairs. Thest time she had spoken to Olivia was on her wedding day. Since then, there had been no private conversationsb–/bespecially none that touched the heart.

Downstairs, Olivia Zavier waited. She stood gracefully in the center of the room, dressed in an elegant neutral–toned bgown/b, but her face looked older than usual–burdened with unease and awkwardness.

Aliana slowed bas /bsoon as she saw her mother. Her sharp gaze made no attempt to hide her surprise.

8:17 pm

“Mother,” Aliana greeted tly. b“/bWhy didn’t you let me know you wereing? If I’d known, I could’ve had Elena pick you up.”

Olivia offered a faint smile, like someone who had forgotten how to initiate a conversation.

“I’m sorry… I came unannounced. After seeing the news, I… couldn’t stay away. I was worried about you.”

Aliana gave a small nod, though the disy of concern felt strange and unfamiliar. She gestured for Olivia to sit

“Please sit, Mom. You’vee all this way. You must have something you want to talk about.”

Olivia inhaled deeply and sat down beside Aliana on the sofa.

She took a sip of tea served by Elena, her hand trembling slightly. Her eyes asionally darted toward her daughter, as if searching for the right moment to speak.

“I saw the news this morning,” Olivia said softly, almost in a whisper. “I was afraid… afraid you’d be destroyed by iit /iall.”

Aliana gave a faint smile, remainingposed.

“I’m fine. I won’t fall apart over a few bad headlines.”

Olivia looked at Aliana for a long moment, trying to read her daughter’s heart. Perhaps it was maternal instinct–or maybe just hope—but eventually, she believed her daughter was truly unaffected by the scandal. Aliana’s face was too strong, too steady, for someone at the center of a public storm.

“I’m relieved,” Olivia said quietly. “You don’t look fragile. But still… I worry.”

Aliana simply nodded. She knew her mother’s concern was genuine, but it felt long overdue. Olivia’s eyes wandered around the pavilion–neat, quiet, modest.

“You live here alone?” she asked, now more carefully.

Aliana turned her head, answering lightly.

“Yesb. /bIt’s quieter here.b” /b

“But it’s so far from the main house,” Olivia replied, her voice trembling slightly. “Are you really okay living in a ce this small, Aliana?”

Aliana looked at her mother and gave a small smile.

“It’sfortable. No one bothers me.”

But Olivia looked more troubled than before.

“It shouldn’t be like this… You’re the daughter–inw of the Velor family, the wife of Titan Group’s heir. Your ce is not in a small pavilion like this,” she muttered.

The subtle disappointment in her tone made Aliana take a slow breath, quietly annoyed. Turns out, both her parents measured worth in square footage.

“I’m guessing you didn’te just to check on me or to worry,” Aliana said calmly. “Go ahead. What did you reallye to

bsay/b?b” /b

Silence stretched between them.

8:17 pm

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Olivia clutched her teacup tightly, then slowly set it on the table. She drew a deep breath and bowed her head before speaking.

“Your father… asked me toe.” Her voice was heavy.

“He wants you to reconcile with Andrian. Aliana… it’s not good to be at odds with your husband, especially with a scanda like this involving both of our families. I hope you’ll consider making peace… and apologize to Andrian

Her words hung in the air, thick and still. Aliana didn’t move. Her gaze was distant, lips sealed tight.

She had suspected the true reason behind Olivia’s visit. This wasn’t about worry–it was about delivering Ethan’s message. But hearing it out loud from her own mother still stung.

Olivia hadn’t defended her. Instead, she asked her to surrender.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize to Andrian?” Aliana replied, her tone slightly sharper now.

Olivia looked at her daughter, eyes slightly reddened.

“I know you’re angry. Maybe the rumors about Andrian are true. But… from the outside, it all looks bad, dear. Maybe Andrian was wrong… but you were also wrong for leaving with another man. The world doesn’t care about your exnations. For a wife, loyalty is everything. What matters is preserving the marriage, not-”

“Not the truth?” Aliana interrupted softly but firmly.

Olivia fell silent.

“I didn’t cheat. I didn’t betray anyone. And yet you assume I’m guilty without even asking for the truth first?”

“Aliana…” Olivia’s voice trembled. “This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about protecting the family name. If you and Andrian separate, it won’t just be you who suffers. Our family will fall with you. And your father… he could lose everything.”

Aliana went quiet, eyes fixed on the floor. Her jaw tightened.

“So this is all about reputation?” Aliana looked at her mother, her eyes unwavering.

“Why is that the only thing that matters when your daughter is in trouble? It was the same when something terrible happened to Alicia, wasn’t it?”

“That’s not what I meant, Aliana. I just don’t want your marriage to fall apart.”

Olivia tried to take her daughter’s hand, but Aliana gently pulled it away.

“No, Mom. This is about dignity.” Aliana’s voice was clear and firm.

“I won’t trade mine for someone else’sfort.”

Olivia fell silent. Her face turned pale. Her hands gripped each other tightly in herp before she slowly stood.

“I… I don’t know what else to say,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I only want you to be happy. But maybe… you don’t understand our ways.”

Aliana didn’t respond. Her face was nk–expressionless.

Tears fell from Olivia’s eyes. She quickly wiped them away, trying to stayposed, even as her heart broke at her daughter’s cold detachment.

b8:18 /bpm SS

“I’m sorry for overstepping.” she murmured. “I’ll go now. Goodbye, Aliana.”

Aliana gave a small nod, then nced toward Elena, signaling her to escort her mother out.

Without another word, Olivia turned away. Her steps were quick, but not hurried–like someone walking fast to escape before tears took over. Aliana watched her mother leave, her face unmoved.

No words. No effort to stop her.

At Titan Group Headquarters

Andrian stood in front of therge window in his office. His face was tense. His eyes, dark and bloodshot fromck of sleep. He hadn’t even changed his shirt since yesterday.

The situation at thepany had worsened. Several board members had begun moving to initiate a vote for transition–despite Andrian explicitly requesting two days during thest meeting.

power

There was nothing Andrian could do. Those people were moving quietly behind his back. He had no other option but to act swiftly to defuse the situation.

In the CEO’s office, only Bianca remained. She stood stiffly near the desk, having just reported the board’stest movements. Her eyes were swollen, makeup smudged, and her voice was soft–filled with regret.

“I… I’m sorry. I didn’t think this would blow up like this. Aliana… that woman went too far. I’m sure she’s the one who leaked the footage. She-”

“Enough!”

Andrian turned slowly, his gaze sharp.

“There’s no point in ming others,” he said coldly. “I’m not a fool, Bianca. I know she did it—but she wouldn’t have gone that far if you hadn’t started this in the first ce.”

“Andrian…” Bianca’s voice faltered. She hadn’t expected Andrian to know what she’d done. She fell silent, not daring to say another word.

“Leave. Go do the work you’re actually capable of. I’ll find a way to calm this storm.”

Bianca’s eyes welled with tears–touched by the fact that Andrian wasn’t ming her. He was still kind. That kindness, she believed, was something only Andrian had ever shown her. She felt grateful–deeply, hopelessly grateful–for his attention.

“Are you going to see Aliana?” Bianca asked cautiously, guessing his next move. “Don’t tell me you’re going toply with Madam Genevra’s request?”

Andrian fell silent. His face turned nk. A cold aura instantly enveloped the room.

“Whether I see Aliana or not is irrelevant. The situation is spiraling. I won’t let anyone take thispany from me. If the only way to keep my position is by obeying my grandmother’s orders–then I will.”

“Andrian…”

Bianca looked at him, horrified. More tears escaped. She felt guilt–deep, gnawing guilt–that Andrian now had to humble himself before Aliana because of her recklessness.

“Just go. Don’t worry about this anymore. Things will be fine soon.”

Bianca couldn’t say another word. She knew that in the Velor family, one misstep meant no second chancesb. /bPeople would

condemn and destroy you–unless you turned the tables.

She nodded silently and walked out of Andrian’s office without a word, her face wet with tears.

“Damn it.” Andrian muttered through clenched teeth. His palm curled into a fist.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call. Holding it to his car, his voice was low and sharp when the line connected.

“Elric, did you find anything on Rafe Donovan?”

Elric’s voice responded clearly.

“Yes, Sir. I’ve reviewed his employment records, background, and all known connections.”

Andrian waited, jaw tight. “Your conclusion?”

“ording to the data, there’s no indication of a romantic or personal rtionship between him and Mrs. Aliana,” Elric replied cautiously. “What I found is actually the opposite. Rafe fits more the profile of a personal bodyguard. Their movements andmunication are highly structured. There’s no sign of emotional intimacy. In fact, Mrs. Aliana seems to maintain strict boundariesb./bb” /b

Andrian frowned. “You’re sure?b” /b

“Absolutely, Sir. Even when they traveled together, Rafe never stayed at the same ce. They always separated their identities and logistics. He’s a professional. Too clean to be called just a ‘friend.”

Andrian ended the call without another word. His hand clenched at his side, and his eyes stared nkly out the window.

“Damn it.”

Andrian was furious. The only weakness he hoped to exploit against Aliana had just evaporated. She was smart. Slick. And so far, she had left no vulnerable point to attack.

He took a long breath. He knew the only way to survive now wasn’t by fighting back–but by swallowing his pride. And that made him sick.

With a heavy step, Andrian walked to his desk and pressed the inte button.

“Viktor. Get the car ready. I’m going home.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Andrian exhaled deeply, his eyes falling on a tabloid on the desk–with Aliana’s face printed across the front page.

“Let’s hon that

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