Chapter 28 Andrian hadn't slept all night . After the scandalous video went viral and countless articles painted him as a husband who betrayed his wife on their wedding night , he remained at the Titan Group office , not once returning to the mansion . Media swarmed outside the building , emergency emails piled up , and dozens of messages from board members flooded his phone . At , the Titan Group's executive boardroom was filled with tension . Every director was present - some wore furious expressions , others remained stiff with unease . On the large screen , two bold headlines glared : " Titan Group's Reputation on the Brink : Family Scandal Shakes the Market " " Shocking Footage : Wedding Night Ends in Scandal " Titan Group's stock had plummeted since the market opened . Investors from Singapore and London had pulled nearly $ 800 million in mere hours . Two international strategic partners had postponed the MoU for a merger scheduled the following week . Andrian stood before them all , face worn and eyes bloodshot . " I know this crisis is massive . But I will resolve it , " he said , his voice low but firm . A senior director slammed the table . " This scandal hasn't just damaged your reputation , Mr. Velor . It's dragged down the company's credibility ! You took another woman to a hotel room on your wedding night , and now the company faces public collapse ! " Andrian said nothing . Charlotte Delacroix , clearly incensed by the unfolding scandal , turned to Bianca with a sharp glare . " And we all know who the woman in that video is - even if her face is blurred . We're not fools . Isn't that you , Miss Bianca ? " Bianca froze , feeling all eyes on her . Reflexively , she glanced at Andrian , hoping he'd defend her . But Andrian remained silent - his face cold and unreadable . Earlier , Bianca had explained the hotel's security system had been hacked , and the footage leaked due to a cyberattack , not internal betrayal . But even then , Andrian had only nodded blankly without comment . Now , as every gaze bore down on her , Bianca understood - Andrian hadn't forgiven her . And he had no intention of protecting her . He was truly angry . " I … I don't know how the video got out . But this is a private matter between me and- " " There is no such thing as ' private ' in Titan Group's public sphere ! " Charlotte snapped . " You're the Vice CEO . Not some disposable assistant we can quietly dismiss . You have responsibilities ." Another director chimed in immediately , " We propose the temporary dismissal of Miss Bianca from her position , and a reassessment of Mr. Andrian's executive authority . " 1/6 3:17 pm S Chapter 28 " Agreed , " said another . " Until the situation stabilizes , all key roles should be delegated to interim leaders not involved in the scandal " Andrian slowly stood . His face remained icy , but his eyes flashed with fury , " Enough . " The room fell silent . No one dared to speak . " You think you can restructure Titan Group's leadership over a single video ? Have you all forgotten who grew this company from a regional division into one of Asia's top five holdings ? " He stepped closer to the table , voice lowering - but thick with pressure . " Bianca stays in her role . Anyone who tries to take her down - goes against me . And I will not go easy on anyone who dares betray me . " One by one , heads began to bow . Andrian's presence was overwhelming . His fury wasn't loud - it was cold , strategic , and laced with threat . " I know the company's reputation has taken a hit . And I know you're all afraid . But I will fix this - my way . Give me two days . If there's no significant progress by then , I'll step down myself ." Bianca lowered her head , eyes glistening . Relieved and touched that Andrian had finally defended her . But she didn't dare say a word . Andrian scanned the room with a piercing gaze before turning and leaving without another word . The boardroom door shut firmly behind him . Silence lingered . What remained in the air was only tension and fear Everyone now understood - Andrian Velor might be under pressure , but he wouldn't fall without a fight . He would protect his position - even if it meant taking dangerous steps . When Andrian entered his office , he was startled to find a man casually seated on the sofa . " Nathan ? " he muttered . Nathan Velor stood and offered a faint smile . He wore a pale gray suit with a light scarf at his neck - his modern style a stark contrast to his older brother's rigid demeanor . " Hello , brother . Sorry for letting myself in ," Nathan greeted cheerfully as he approached . " Your secretary said you were still in a board meeting . " Andrian gave a brief snort and walked toward his desk . " Cut to the point , Nathan . I know you didn't come here just to make small talk . " Nathan's smile tightened , his eyes now serious . " Grandmother sent me . There's a message she wants me to deliver ." Andrian looked up . His hands clenched tightly , though his face remained unreadable . He already knew - nothing good ever came from his grandmother's messages . Especially not the last one , when she ordered him to marry the Zavier daughter , following the final will of Lucian Velor- 2/6 8:17 pm Chapter 28 Andrian's late father . vouchers " Grandmother wants you to fix this . Immediately , " said Nathan . " She knows everything about the video About Aliana Abou Bianca ." Andrian shook his head and let out a bitter laugh . " Of course she knows . The whole world knows - and plenty of people would've gladly rushed to tell her . " Nathan didn't laugh . He understood the bitterness behind Andrian's words . His own mother - Lucian Velor's third wife - was always looking to gain favor with Genevra Velor , Andrian's grandmother , by constantly undermining Andrian . She never missed a chance to report even the smallest scandal that might hurt him . Nathan pulled a gold - embossed invitation card from his blazer and placed it on Andrian's desk . " Tomorrow night is the Velor family's Charity Gala . All the key figures will be there - including board members and representatives from Zavier Corporation . Grandmother wants you to attend … with Aliana . " Andrian stared coldly at the card . " Forget it . I won't share a room with that woman , let alone pretend to hold her hand . " Nathan let out a long sigh , his tone now grave . " If you don't attend , brother … it won't just be the board's trust you'll lose . Grandmother says you could lose the company Andrian's gaze sharpened . Nathan continued , " You know the situation . The board is split . Half want to appoint an external leader . The other half still support you - bui their loyalty is fragile . They're waiting for one more misstep . Just one , and they'll vote you out . " Andrian didn't respond . He stared blankly at the window , jaw clenched . Nathan lowered his voice . " You don't have a choice . Whatever it takes , you need to show up at that Gala with your wife . Prove to everyone that your marriage is intact . " A tense silence followed . Andrian clenched his fist , eyes fixed on the invitation card , and muttered , " I won't promise anything . " Nathan looked at his brother with quiet sympathy . His expression softened . " I know it's not easy for you , " he said gently . " If there's anything I can do to help , I will . I came to deliver this message - and to stand by you . " Andrian said nothing . Nathan took a breath , adjusted his scarf , and walked to the door . Before leaving , he turned once more . " Take care of yourself , brother . I know you're not one to give up ." 3/6 Chapter 28 10 vouchera He left calmly - not hurried , but with clear intention not to linger in a room filled with pressure . Nathan knew the limits of interfering in Andrian's affairs . Andrian remained seated , eyes locked on the closing door . He was silent . His eyes were heavy - not from exhaustion , but from the weight of everything pressing down on him . He thought about Nathan's words . Even though his brother didn't seem like an enemy , Andrian couldn't trust him completely . Nathan wasn't like the other relatives who openly tried to steal his seat of power - he always appeared supportive . But in the Velor family , loyalty was a myth . Andrian knew that better than anyone . He glanced at the gold - embossed invitation still lying on his desk . " Attend … with Aliana ? " Andrian scoffed quietly . The irony was unbearable . Amid all the threats against him , the one person he most wanted to destroy … was now the only person who could save his name tomorrow night . He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes . He wanted to rest , even just for a moment . But his mind refused to be still . There was no time for sleep or peace - one wrong move , and he could lose everything . Meanwhile , at Zavier Corporation , Aliana's father - Ethan Zavier - was also under pressure from many sides . The boardroom felt scorching hot with tension . Every member of the Zavier family seated at the table looked grave . Ethan sat at the head , his face cold , though his eyes revealed the crushing pressure . " What's happened with Aliana has gone too far , " said a distant cousin of Ethan , now Director of Operations " We've received over twenty calls from international partners . The company's reputation is at stake . " " You need to act fast , Ethan , " another board member chimed in . " Your daughter didn't just bring scandal to the Velor family - she dragged Zavier Corporation into the mud . We should immediately clarify that we're not involved in any of this ." Ethan clenched his fists . " Aliana is still my blood . I won't cast her aside just to please the media or public opinion . " " This isn't about personal sentiment , " another family board member shot back . " This is about our position in the market - about the Zavier family's name and reputation . " The tension escalated . The meeting ended with a harsh ultimatum : disown Aliana from the family line , or Ethan would lose the board's support . As evening approached , Ethan arrived home earlier than usual . His face was drawn , tie loosened , and his steps heavy . Upon entering , his wife Olivia was already waiting in the sitting room . " You're home early , " Olivia greeted softly . But Ethan threw his blazer onto the sofa and snapped , 4/6 Chapter 28 " I've had enough ! Look what your daughter has done ! " Olivia froze but remained calm , even as her eyes filled with tears . " She didn't just humiliate the Velor family ," Ethan continued , " she embarrassed me in front of everyone . My own relarves attacked me in that boardroom ! " " Don't put all the blame on Aliana , " Olivia replied softly . " Have you forgotten ? The video of Andrian also spread . Everyone saw who started the humiliation in that marriage . He even had the heart to leave our daughter during the wedding reception ." As a mother , Olivia would never forget the insult Andrian inflicted . She still remembered the shame etched into that moment - Andrian walking out on Aliana during their own wedding celebration . Ethan narrowed his eyes . " You're too naive . Haven't you even considered the possibility that Aliana was the one who leaked the video about her husband ? " Olivia's eyes widened . Her voice caught in her throat . She had never thought that far . And more than that , she wasn't sure her daughter would dare take such a dangerous step . Ethan stepped closer . " If Aliana really was behind that leak , and Andrian finds out - we'll lose everything . No titles , no inheritance , no positions . " Olivia began to weep quietly , her shoulders trembling . Her thoughts turned to Aliana , who might be in far deeper trouble than she had imagined . " Olivia … try to talk to your daughter , " Ethan urged . " Get her to soften toward Andrian . Maybe then , he fuc " Why should Aliana show softness to a man who humiliated her ? " Olivia sobbed , lifting her face to finally meer Ethan's eyes with rare defiance . " This is your fault . Don't blame our daughter . From the very beginning , I wasn't even allowed to raise her . You and your family severed me from her since she was a baby … and now you want me to persuade her ? As if we were ever close ? " Ethan paused for a moment . But his gaze remained hard . " A bond between mother and daughter is stronger than anything ," Ethan said slowly . " Even if you were separated by distance all these years , you're still her mother . And right now , you're the only one who can get through to her . You must convince her , before this situation escalates further . " Olivia wiped away her tears . " She won't listen to me . " " You have to try , " Ethan insisted . " If we want to survive this , you must get her to reconcile with Andrian . No matter what it takes . " Silence fell over the room . Olivia bit her lower lip . She knew she had no choice . Finally , Olivia gave a small nod . 5/6 8:17 pm F Chapter 28 " Fine . I'll talk to her . " 16 Gochers