Chapter 29 10 Vouchers 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 displayed 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 , Miss … the Velor estate is surrounded 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 . ' ' Understood . 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 . Moments later , 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 or … " 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 . The last time she had spoken to Olivia was on her wedding day . Since then , there had been no private conversations - especially none that touched the heart . Downstairs , Olivia Zavier waited . She stood gracefully in the center of the room , dressed in an elegant neutral - toned gown , but her face looked older than usual - burdened with unease and awkwardness . Aliana slowed as soon as she saw her mother . Her sharp gaze made no attempt to hide her surprise . 1/5 8:17 pm Chapter 29 " Mother , " Aliana greeted flatly . " Why didn't you let me know you were coming ? 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 display of concern felt strange and unfamiliar . She gestured for Olivia to sit " Please sit , Mom . You've come 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 occasionally 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 it all ." Aliana gave a faint smile , remaining composed . " 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 . " Yes . It's quieter here . " " But it's so far from the main house , " Olivia replied , her voice trembling slightly . " Are you really okay living in a place this small , Aliana ? " Aliana looked at her mother and gave a small smile . " It's comfortable . No one bothers me . " But Olivia looked more troubled than before . " It shouldn't be like this … You're the daughter - in - law of the Velor family , the wife of Titan Group's heir . Your place 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't come just to check on me or to worry , " Aliana said calmly . " Go ahead . What did you really come to say ? " Silence stretched between them . 2/5 8:17 pm Chapter 29 15 % 10 vouchers 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 to come . " 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 explanations . 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's comfort ." Olivia fell silent . Her face turned pale . Her hands gripped each other tightly in her lap 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 blank - expressionless . Tears fell from Olivia's eyes . She quickly wiped them away , trying to stay composed , even as her heart broke at her daughter's cold detachment . 8:18 pm SS Chapter 29 " I'm sorry for overstepping . " she murmured . " I'll go now . Goodbye , Aliana . " Aliana gave a small nod , then glanced 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 the large window in his office . His face was tense . His eyes , dark and bloodshot from lack of sleep . He hadn't even changed his shirt since yesterday . The situation at the company had worsened . Several board members had begun moving to initiate a vote for transition - despite Andrian explicitly requesting two days during the last 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's latest 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 blaming 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 place ." " 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 blaming 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 to comply with Madam Genevra's request ? " Andrian fell silent . His face turned blank . 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 this company 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 chances . People would 4/5 Chapter 29 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? " " According to the data , there's no indication of a romantic or personal relationship 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 and communication are highly structured . There's no sign of emotional intimacy . In fact , Mrs. Aliana seems to maintain strict boundaries . " Andrian frowned . " You're sure ? " " Absolutely , Sir . Even when they traveled together , Rafe never stayed at the same place . 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 blankly 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 intercom 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 Inman in willing to lk this + " AD Comment