Chapter 26 24 voucherei Chapter 26 In the morning , the main conference room of Titan Group was filled with an icy tension . The board members sat around the large oval table - some preoccupied with the latest digital news , others whispering while throwing disdainful glances at Andrian . On the main screen , a glaring headline was displayed : " Wife of Titan Group Heir Caught on Camera with Mysterious Man at Hotel ." One by one , heads lifted to stare at Andrian standing at the front of the room , his expression dark . None of them spoke , but their expressions said enough - this scandal had shaken their confidence in the heir's personal credibility . " Do you know the man , Mr. Velor ? " asked one of the senior directors , his tone cold and heavy with implication . Andrian suppressed his anger . " I haven't confirmed anything yet . But my wife will provide an explanation soon . " " An explanation isn't enough in a case like this . Titan Group has already been rattled since the article surfaced this morning . Even if this is the first time Mrs. Velor is directly involved , the damage to the company's reputation is considerable , " another director added . Andrian clenched his jaw . He knew they weren't just criticizing the news - they were doubting his leadership . Worse , they were mocking him as Aliana's husband . " I will handle this immediately , " Andrian said firmly . The meeting ended without a solution - just sharp looks , judgment , and the echo of footsteps walking away , leaving behind a chilling silence . Outside Titan Group , the news spread even faster . Zavier Corporation wasn't spared . Ethan Zavier , Aliana's father , sat in his office at the family estate , replaying the hotel video on his tablet . He ran a hand down his face , the weariness in his eyes revealing a mix of anger and disappointment . Not because he believed Aliana was guilty , but because he knew the world didn't care about truth - only about appearances . The phone rang . Ethan groaned in frustration , already knowing it was either journalists or business associates demanding explanations . " This cannot be ignored , Ethan . The article is disgraceful ," growled a cousin from the Zavier family . " We can't let the wife of Titan Group's heir drag our name through the mud . " Ethan sighed . " I'll speak to Aliana ." That afternoon , Aliana sat alone in the pavilion's sitting room . Silence filled the space , broken only by the ticking clock and sunlight slipping through the curtains . Her phone screen was filled with dozens of unread messages : questions , criticism , even interview requests from the press . She didn't open a single one . A knock came at the door . Moments later , Elena opened it - and Andrian walked in without waiting to be invited . His 1/5 Chapter 20 expression was sharp , his posture rigid . " Was that really you ? " he asked bluntly . He hadn't had time to confirm anything in the morning . He had already been pulled into an emergency board meeting when the scandal broke . He had tried to call Aliana before the meeting , but she hadn't answered . So he had faced the board without knowing the truth . Only now could he confront her . Aliana didn't respond . She stood and walked to the window , gazing out at the garden . " I'm asking you , Aliana . Was that really you in the video ? " Andrian's voice rose in frustration , angered by her calmness amid the storm . " Do you want me to deny it or admit it ? " she answered quietly , almost toneless . Andrian clenched his fist . " Just answer me ." Aliana turned to him , her eyes steady . " Yes , it was me . But not in the way they think ." Andrian's fist trembled . " Do you know how much pressure I've been under because of this ? The board is questioning my credibility . They're treating me like I'm part of some petty scandal I didn't even see coming ! " " Then they should learn to distinguish between what's seen and what's real , " Aliana replied coolly . Andrian stared at her , anger simmering . " Who is the man in the video ? " he asked again , his voice now low and tense . " Rafe Donovan , " she replied . " We grew up together . He's like a brother to me . " " There's no such thing as a brother without blood , " Andrian snapped . Aliana gave a slight smirk . " Of all things , that's what you're focusing on ? Why not focus on who leaked the video instead ? " Andrian frowned . " What are you implying ? " Aliana stepped closer , her gaze sharp and mocking . " I know you're not stupid , Andrian . So stop acting like the only victim here . We both know there's only one person in this house bold enough to target me - and with access to media fast enough to make this viral . " Andrian was silent . Aliana leaned in slightly . " Bianca . " Andrian's jaw tightened . He stepped closer , his expression tense . " So now you're blaming Bianca for your mistake ? You should be ashamed , Aliana . You humiliated me , and now you're accusing others ? " Aliana lifted her chin . " I'm not blaming anyone . I just don't like being attacked through someone I once protected ." Andrian's face hardened further , but Aliana didn't care . 2/5 8:16 pm R Chapter 26 I'll handle this my way if you won't hold Bianca accountable . I'll make her regret targeting me ? " Enough . Aliana ! " Andrian snapped . " Are you threatening her ? " " I'm warning you ." Aliana replied smoothly . " So you won't complain when your precious woman pays the price for crossing inc . " Andrian exhaled harshly , his eyes burning with fury . He turned and stormed out without another word . As he walked down the hallway , his fists clenched and chest heaving . Andrian couldn't believe how calm Aliana had been- how she threatened instead of begging for his support . " Damn woman … " he muttered under his breath . Andrian strode out of the pavilion with quick , heavy steps . The morning air hadn't yet cooled his temper . But just as he reached his car , a firm voice stopped him . " Andrian ? " Andrian turned . Ethan Zavier was standing in the courtyard , dressed in a formal suit , his eyes sharp and questioning . " I just found out Aliana's been living in the pavilion , " Ethan said flatly , though the disappointment in his tone was clear . " You've placed your own wife in a separate residence like this ? " Andrian gave a small , bitter smirk . " Perhaps you should take your daughter home before I'm the one who throws hienou Ethan was stunned . But before he could respond , Andrian had already turned and entered his car without another disappeared down the driveway - leaving Ethan standing alone The engine roared to life , and moments later , the cap clenched tight .. " Useless brat , " Ethan muttered under his breath . He now realized just how furious Andrian truly was - and he knew Aliana was the cause . Ethan took a deep breath and turned his gaze toward the pavilion , eyes darkening . He began walking toward it with purpose . " Mr. Ethan … " The door to the pavilion was opened by Elena , visibly startled by Ethan's unexpected appearance . " Where is Aliana ? " Ethan asked coldly . Elena hesitated . " The young mistress is upstairs , sir . I'll go fetch her . " A few minutes later , Aliana descended the stairs . She looked calm and composed , not a trace of anxiety on her face . But the moment she saw her father's expression , she knew this would not be a pleasant conversation . Ethan wasted no time . He stepped forward and unleashed his anger . " How dare you create a scandal like this , Aliana ?! Have you completely lost your shame ? " " Good afternoon , Father , " Aliana replied , ignoring his barrage . " Afternoon ? " Ethan growled , infuriated by Aliana's composed tone - as if nothing had happened . 3/5 Chapter 26 " Is that all you have to say after dragging our name through the mud ? Your photos are everywhere ! Titan Group is shaken . Zavier Corporation is being questioned . You've humiliated us all ! " " Please , sit down . " Aliana said calmly , unmoved by his outburst . She glanced briefly at Elena nearby . " Elena , bring some tea for my father . " " Tea ? " Ethan barked . " Our family's reputation is on the verge of collapse , and you're offering me tea ? Have you gre insane ? " Aliana remained composed . " If you don't want to sit , then stand . But don't expect me to panic like you . " " You- ! " Ethan was seething . Her indifference only enraged him further . " I fought to bring you back into the Zavier family . I arranged your marriage to the heir of Titan Group . And what do you do ? Instead of building your position , you create scandal and live in a remote annex like this ! " Aliana stood with quiet grace , her hands resting calmly by her sides . Ethan clenched his fists as he continued his tirade . " You should be winning Andrian's heart . You should be planning a pregnancy to secure your place in the Velor family : Bur what have you done ? Nothing ! You stay in this little pavilion and now drag us into the tabloids ! " Aliana exhaled slowly , absorbing every venomous word . " You're completely useless , Aliana ! " Ethan shouted , his face flushed with fury . " I regret ever marrying you to Andrian . If I'd known this would happen , I never would've called you home . I was right to distance you from this family . You've only brought us misfortune ! " Aliana remained silent , though her heart ached . She swallowed the sting of his words . " I've told you many times , " Aliana said at last , voice low but steady , " I didn't marry for the family name or the company . " Ethan blinked , stunned by her composure - guilt flickering in his chest as he realized how cruel his words had been . " I didn't marry to please any of you , " she continued . " I married for one reason only : to uncover the truth about Alicia . Not for politics . And certainly not to get pregnant quickly , like you so desperately wish ." Ethan stepped closer , voice rising again . " With that attitude , you'll gain nothing . Forget the truth - you'll be kicked out of this little pavilion before you find anything ! " Aliana met his eyes without flinching . Her hands slowly clenched at her sides . " If you came here just to voice your regrets , then leave . But I won't stand down if anyone tries to block my goal . Whether it's Andrian … or you ." Ethan scoffed . " You speak like an enemy ." " You treated me like one first , " Aliana shot back . " I'm merely returning the favor . " Ethan's glare sharpened . " You're more suited to be a criminal's daughter than part of a respectable family like ours . Your behavior is shameful - completely disgraceful ! " 415 Chapter 26 Alama didn't respond . The wonde hit her like a dap , bow de refret wie him the fwton of other den be the es 1 Andrian divorces you . Fiban threatened , " I won't hate vos cnt you off agams rtt mabe zer gauze into this family " Aliana stood tall , here clenched nightly , her face rene har hey pre Boeker in tension Ethan cast one last withering glance at his daughter before storming out . He didn't say another wet runt esets a bark want glance His footsteps echoed sharply through the veranda , and within seconds , the main done fammed that behout fams Elena , who had watched nervously from the corner the entire time , hesitantly repped forward " Miss Aliana … is there anything I can do ? " Aliana inhaled deeply , then shook her head slowly . " No. I just need some time alone . " With steady steps , Aliana ascended the stairs again . Her posture was strong , but before she disappeared around the landing Elena caught a brief glimpse of pain behind her eyes . 田