After Eiric left, Andrian remained seated silently in his room. His gaze was fixed on the desk, but his mind wandered far away All the information he bhad /bjust heard seemed to overturn everything he thought he understood.

    For the past few days, he had believed that Aliana’s silence meant she was incapable of defending herself. He had used her, even spoken words that wounded her pride. But now, with the evidence Elric had presented, he realized that her silence had been a choice–a choice to protect Alicia’s nameb, /beven if it meant bing the target of nder herself.

    Andrian leaned back in his chair and let out a heavy sigh. He tried to recall every interaction with Aliana since the video had surfaced. Every calm nce, every brief reply, her reluctance to argueb… /ball of it now carried a different meaning.

    She wasn’t avoiding–she was restraining herself.

    Andrian looked at the folder on his desk, the one containing copies of Elric’s analysis. Slowly, he opened it again, making sure his own eyes saw dearly. Inside wereparison bphotos/b, results from facial analysis tests, and technical notes exining the video’s editing process.

    The conclusion was clear: bthe /bwoman in the video was the product of maniptionb, /band the resemnce to Aliana was no coincidence. The real target

    had been Alicia.

    Andrian tapped his fingers against the desk. “If this really is Aliciab… /bthen someone deliberately used her death to attack Aliana.”

    He knew that if this information came to light, there would be two major possibilities. First, the public would learn that Aliana was innocent, but Alicia’s dignity would be destroyed. Second, they would remain silent, preserve Alicia’s honor, but allow the public to keep misunderstanding.

    So far, Aliana had chosen the second option. And now Andrian was beginning to understand why.

    His thoughts shifted to the next question–who could be cruel enough to create such a video and spread it? The motive wasn’t just to ruin a reputation. There was personal hatred behind it.

    Within the Velor and Zavier families, they had plenty of enemies. Even within the family itselfb, /bnot everyone was free from intrigue. But to fabricate ba /brape video using a dead woman as the victimb, /band then attach the face of someone still alive… that was beyond any limit.

    Andrian thought of Bianca. He knew her rtionship with Aliana was full of conflict, but he quickly dismissed the suspicion. He knew Bianca well- though she sometimes acted out of line, there was no way she could stoop to such vile cunning.

    Andrian rubbed his face. bTo /bhim, Aliana’s ordeal was no longer just a personal attack on his wife, but ba /bsmear on his family’s honor in the public eye. He was determined to find out who dared touch his family. He would not remain still.

    Meanwhile, Ethan was meeting with Charlotte. They sat together in a private room of a luxury restaurant.

    Charlotte arrived neatly dressed as always, in an elegant suit, while Ethan was already waiting with a serious expression.

    As soon as Charlotte sat down, Ethan began. “I want to talk about the evidence of Bianca’s misconduct that Aliana gave you. Why haven’t you used it

    yet?”

    Charlotte raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised.

    “I don’t understand what iyou /imean, Mr. Ethan.”

    Ethan sighed. “Aliana already told me everything. So you don’t need to pretend. She asked me to meet you to make sure you use that evidence properly.”

    Charlotte fell silent for a moment, then gave a faint smile as she sipped her tea.

    “Mr. Ethan, I’m not foolish enough bto /bmake a move in such a heated situation. Aliana’s scandal is still being talked babout/b–if I strike at Bianca bnow/bb, /bbI’ll /bbe the center of attentionb, /band I could be targeted by many people trying to bring me down.”

    “Are you afraid?” Ethan asked. “You’re looking bat /bthis btoo /bnarrowlyb, /bMadam Charlotte. Now is bexactly /bbthe /bbright /bbtime/bb. /bbIn /bba /bsituation like thisb, /ball beyes /bbare /bon

    b1/3 /b

    Aliana. If you move, the focus won’t fully fall on you. And as for bacsh! That’s the risk–but I’m sure you’ll gain far as than you fo

    “What do you mean?” Charlotte asked, confitsed, not fully grasping Ethan’s point

    “Andrian is already overwhelmed dealing with Aliana’s scandal. I’m certain that if a scandal about Biancams out, it will only set in hrs Garden, t? won’t have any choice but to either dismiss Bianca–or offer you something better.”

    “Offer me something?”

    Charlotte leaned back, carefully considering Ethan’s words. She understood what he was implying, but she wasn’t yet convinced about the move the

    should make.

    “Mr. Ethan… Even if I expose that evidence now, the effect may not be as big as iyou /iexpect. People might just think it’s part of your family’s drama 15 distract attention.”

    Ethan leaned forward, his voice firm. “I don’t care. Whatever the oue, you will benefit. So, don’t bother worrying about our family. If Andriam chooses to make a deal with you to protect Bianca, you’ll gain stronger leverage in thepany. But if Andrian decides to cast Bianca out, you’ll have the chance to seize the influence she leaves behind. Both scenarios profit you.”

    Charlotte went quiet, clearly weighing Ethan’s words. She knew he wasn’t speaking carelessly.

    “Besides,” Ethan continued, “Bianca has been a problem for too long. She’s connected with board members whose interests conflict with yours and mine. This evidence will cut herwork off at the root.”

    Charlotte tapped the table with her finger, a sign she was beginning to agree.

    “Fine. I’ll do it. But in my own way. No interference from anyone.”

    “That’s up to youb,/bb” /bEthan replied quickly. “The important thing is to reveal the evidence. And make sure neither my name nor Aliana’s is tied to it. No one must know it came from us.”

    Charlotte gave a thin smile. “Don’t worry, I know how to handle it.”

    Ethan nodded. “Good. I want this done as cleanly as possible. No room for Bianca to rise again. So, we’re agreed?”

    “Yes,” Charlotte answered firmly.

    Their conversation ended without further pleasantries. Both left the meeting quickly, as there was nothing else to discuss.

    At the hospital, Bianca was in high spirits. Her face glowed even though parts of it were still bandaged. A smile never left her lips since Derek hade in with news about Andrian preparing divorce papèrs for Aliana.

    “Are you serious, Derek? Andrian will divorce Aliana?”

    Bianca’s eyes sparkled. She straightened up, though she winced slightly as her still–healing wounds ached.

    “Yes, Miss. I’m certain this information is true, because I got it directly from one of Mr. Andrian’swyers. Thatwyer even congratted you. Soon, you may be the one recing Miss Aliana’s position.”

    Bianca covered her mouth with her hand, then let out a soft chuckle. Herughter grew, turning into a long, uncontroble fit of joy.

    “Finally… all my efforts weren’t in vain. All my ns have borne fruit. Andrian is truly going to cast Aliana aside.”

    Even as sheughed, tears almost welled in Bianca’s eyes, overwhelmed by happiness. If not for the sting of the wounds still etched across her face, she might haveughed even louder.

    Standing beside the bed, Derek smiled as he watched his mistress’s joy. “Congrattions, Miss. I’m sure that once things with Miss Aliana are settled, Mr. Andrian will propose to you right away.”

    213

    07:1

    2 bSept /b

    “Propose?”

    nca’s heart bloomed even more, impatient for the day she had long awaited,

    bShe /bclosed her eyes, savoring the bliss she felt. “It won’t be long now. Soon, I will be Mrs. Velor.”

    “That’s right, Miss,” Derek replied. “Your name will be Bianca Velor.”

    “Bianca Velor,” Bianca whispered, her smile unbroken. “My name even sounds better that wayb./b”

    “Of course, Madam. Only you are worthy of bearing the title of Mrs. Velor.”

    7.9

    Derek’s words filled Bianca’s chest with even greater satisfaction and delight. She was certain that her future with Andrian was just ahead. All the pain she had enduredb, /ball the jealousy bthat /bhad burned her heart, would soon be repaid with the marriage she had always longed for.

    “I can’t waitb, /bDerek,” Bianca said eagerly, her voice full of passion. “I can’t wait for the day I officially be Andrian’s wife.”

    Derek nodded, suppressing ba /bsmall smileb. /bb“/bThat day will surelye, Miss. And when it doesb, /beveryone will see who truly deserves to stand bby /bMr. Andrian’s side.”

    Bianca chuckled againb, /bsofter this time, but full of satisfaction. She gazed at the ceiling with sparkling eyes. The vision of herself standing beside bAndrian /bas his wife now felt so real. All the pain she felt suddenly seemed meaninglesspared bto /bthe happiness that awaited her.