bhapter /bb80 /b

    Ethan sat upright, his gaze fixed intently on his daughter.

    “Aliana, is there anyone you suspect of being behind the distribution of that video?”

    Aliana let out a slow breath, then shook her head. “No definite name yet. But I’m certain it’s someone who knows exactly about the rape case that happened to Alicia.”

    Olivia, who was sitting at the bedside, quickly cut in. “Could it be Bianca Lorraine?”

    Aliana’s eyes shifted toward her mother. “I can’t confirm it yet. But… it’s possible this is all her doing. Right now, she’s the only one who knows the details of what happened to Alicia.”

    Aliana remembered the photos of Alicia that Bianca had shown her when she first came to the Velor family home. She had actually suspected Bianca because of those photos, but she hadn’t told her parents about it–she didn’t want to deepen their grief by revealing the sordid details of what had happened to Alicia.

    Ethan clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.

    “If that woman really is the culprit… I swear I’ll destroy her, no matter what it takes. I don’t even care if I have to hire a hitman to eliminate her.”

    Aliana’s eyes snapped to her father, a little surprised at Ethan’s resolve.

    “That won’t be necessary,” Aliana replied coldly. “Death is too light a punishment for Bianca.”

    Her expression Kardened, her gaze sharpening. “She’s delivered a great humiliation to Alicia. I’ll make her feel that same shame–worse, even. I’ll make Bianca lose the thing she loves most. That will hurt far more than death.”

    Olivia and Ethan exchanged nces. There was clear worry in their eyes at seeing Aliana’s deep hatred for Biancab, /bbut they also understood her anger- because they felt the same.

    “What’s your next step?” Ethan asked, taking a deep breath. “I’m ready to help you.”

    Aliana paused, considering. In her heart, she still harbored doubts about her father–remembering how he had always prioritized the family’s honor over his daughter’s feelings. But seeing the sincerity in him now, Aliana decided to give him a chance.

    “A few days ago, I handed proof of Bianca’s corruption to Charlotte Dcroix,” Aliana said. “But I know Charlotte may hesitate to act because of what’s happening to me right now. I want you to push her to take action immediately.”

    Ethan’s eyebrows rose, surprised. “You have proof of Bianca’s corruption?”

    Aliana nodded.

    “Abuse of power, epting bribes from several executives, and more. The amounts she took are substantial. Everything is clearly recorded in the documents I gave Mrs. Dcroix,” Aliana exined sinctly.

    Ethan stared at her, as if weighing something. He wanted to ask where she had gotten the evidence, but he quickly realized the background in which Aliana had been raised–and that she had likely used her adoptive father’s influence to obtain it. He didn’t press further.

    “Alright,” Ethan said. “I’ll arrange a meeting with Charlotte right away.” Then he asked, “How are you going to exin all this to Andrian? He must be furious–so will the Velor family. It’s fine if you have to divorce. We’ll support you.”

    “I’m not divorcing Andrian,” Aliana immediately replied. “I’m keeping the marriage.”

    Ethan and Olivia exchanged baffled nces. They knew Aliana had married out ofpulsion, but now she was intent on staying married.

    b“/bWhy?” Ethan asked, puzzled.

    Aliana looked straight ahead, her voice calm but resolute To Bianca, Andrian Velor is everything. That’s why I mer give him up. ( make a suffe by seeing me remain at Andrian’s side And when the timees, Andrian himself will cast her out. I know it with hurt her far more to be despised by the

    man she lovesb./bb” /b

    Olivia stayed silent, while Ethan gave a slow nod, realizing his daughter already had a clear n and that all he could do was support her

    At the Titan Group headquarters, the atmosphere had been tense since morning. The lobby was filled with reporters trying to breach the security barricade, while the PR team scrambled to draft a “holding statement” that changed every thirty minutes.

    On the executive floor, Andrian chaired an emergency meeting with Legal, PR, and cybersecurity. His phone buzzed without pause Since morning, bthe /bmedia, business associates, and even his own family had been pressuring him for an exnationi. /iBut there was nothing Andrian could say.

    The ringtone sounded again just as the meeting ended. The name Genevra Velor shed across the screen–a name Andrian could not ignors

    He exhaled before answering.

    “Hello, Grandma,” Andrian said, trying to keep his tone calm.

    “Andrian! What on earth is going on?” Genevra’s voice was sharp andmanding, even over the phone. “The whole city is talking about your wife. The media won’t stop demanding confirmation from us. I’ve already had three calls from board members asking for answers.”

    Andrian closed his eyes briefly, feeling the onset of a headache. “I’m handling it, Grandma.”

    “Handling it? How? Aliana hasn’t even appeared in public to give a statement! Did she really do it?” Genevra asked, her toneced with skepticism.

    “No,” Andrian said firmly. “I’m certain Aliana didn’t do this. Something is wrong behind that video.”

    “Are you sure? Or are you just defending your wife out bof /bpride?” Genevra shot back. “Remember, Andrian, the Velor name is at stake here. We cannot allow this scandal to destroy the reputation we’ve built for decades.”

    Andrian bit his lip, holding back his emotions. “I understand, Grandma. But please trust me. I will resolve this quickly.”

    Genevra was silent for a moment. Andrian could picture her weighing his words carefully.

    “Fine,” Genevra said atst. “But I’ll only give you one week. If this isn’t resolved in a week, I will step in myself. I will not let the Velor name be ruined by a woman we barely know.”

    “Thank youi, /iGrandmai,” /iAndrian replied with relief.

    “Don’t disappoint me, Andrian,i” /iGenevra warned before hanging up. “The Velor family’s good name is in your hands.”

    Andrían set the phone down slowly. He leaned back in his chairb, /bstaring at the ceiling. Frustration boiled inside him. On one side, he was under pressure from his family to resolve the matter quickly. On the other, he had to face the reality that Aliana was still shutting herself off, refusing to offer any exnation at all,

    “Stubborn woman,” Andrian muttered.

    Even so, deep in his heart, he remained convinced that Aliana was innocent. Though he had only known her for a few months, he knew his wife was a woman of dignity–there was no way she wouldmit something as disgraceful as what was shown in the video.

    Andrian was certain there was something wrong/behind all this, and he was determined to uncover the truth.

    He rose from his seat and walked toward the window, his eyes fixed on the skyscrapers in the distance. His fists clenched. He knew he had to act quickly before Genevra truly stepped in and this scandal further eroded the Velor family’s reputation.

    Byte afternoon, the atmosphere at the Velor family pavilion was still tense. Aliana sat in the living room wearing a soft cream–colored gown, her fingers holding a cup of warm tea. Her movements were calm, her eyes asionally drifting to the window, as if indifferent to bthe /bbstorm /bbof /bgossip bcrashing /b

    b2/4 /b

    against her name.

    bSep /b

    The door opened, and Andrian entered with quick strides. His expression was rigid, his jaw tight. Without preamble, he bsat /bdirectly across from Aara,

    his gaze cold.

    “You can sit here sipping tea while our family is being destroyed?” Andrian said with sarcasm.

    Aliana turned her head briefly, unbothered. She took a deep breath, then offered him tea in a t tone.

    “Tea?” she asked shortlyb, /bpouring into another cup without waiting for his answer.

    Andrian took the cup and drained it bin /bba /bsingle gulp. He gripped it tightly.

    b“/bDo you have nothing to exinb?/b” His voice was t bbut /bcarried weightb, /bhis eyes locked on her with restrained fury.

    Aliana lifted her head briefly. “No.b” /bHer reply was shortb, /bindifferentb, /bbwith /bno further boration.

    Her answer made bthe /bvein in Andrian’s temple stand out. He set the cup down on the table with a sharp thud that shattered the silence.

    Elena and two servants standing in the corner flinched in surprise.

    “Leave!” Andrian barked, his gaze alone enough to send everyone scurrying from the room.

    Now only Andrian and Aliana remained. He leaned forward, his eyes drilling into hers.

    “Tell me the truth. Is the woman in that video youb?/bb” /b

    Aliana gave no reply. No nod, no shake of the head. Just silence.

    Andrian let out a frustrated scoff. “Do you think staying silent will solve this? Just todayb, /bthepany’s losses have spiked because investors are panicking. My name, the Velor family name–it’s all being dragged through the mud because of this.”

    “I’m sorry,” Aliana finally said. “I apologize for the chaos that’s happened.”

    Her voice was t, making no attempt to defend herself.

    Andrian almostughed, but it came out more like an explosion of frustration. “Sorry? Do you think all of this ends with an apology? You’re not even trying to exin yourself or clear your name. As if you really did it!“/

    Aliana remained silent. Her gaze locked on him. “If you want to punish me, go ahead. I’ll bear the consequences. But one thing–1 will never divorce you.”

    Her statement froze Andrian ifor /ia moment before he shook his head in disbelief.

    “You’re insane, Aliana. iDo /iiyou /ithink I’ll stay with a woman who-” He paused, then said it with a sneer, “-has already been touched by many men?” Aliana’s eyes began to glisten–not from the sting of his words, but because her mind shed to Alicia. Andrian’s words struck her with the realization bthat /bAlicia might have once felt the same way. That perhaps it was why she had chosen to end her life.

    Andrian didn’t notice bthe /bshift in Aliana’s eyes. He simply exhaled heavily, stood, and looked at his wife with a mix of anger and disappointment.

    “Believe me, I won’t let this slide. If you’re hiding something, sooner orter I’ll find out.”

    Aliana said nothing. She only stared nkly at her teacup, her fingers clenched in herp. Insideb, /bher anger and resolve solidified–bnot /bbto /bprove banything /bto Andrian, but to take revenge on those who had dragged Alicia’s name into bthe /bfilthy scandal now consuming bher/b.

    b07:17 /bTue, 2 bSept /b