The sky was darkening when Andrian's luxury car pulled up to the Velor family mansion . The garden lights turned on automatically , illuminating the stone path leading to the pavilion . Inside , Aliana already knew who had arrived - even before Elena pecked outside . Just minutes earlier , Aliana had received a report from Rafe about the Titan Group's board of directors quietly initiating t vote behind Andrian's back . The internal vote wasn't just a threat to Andrian's position - it was an ultimatum . And the Titan Group Charity scheduled for tomorrow night , was his last public chance to salvage his reputation . Aliana hadn't forgotten : Elena had once mentioned that Alicia had attended a charity event right before her tragic incident . And after Rafe re - checked the timeline , Aliana confirmed it was the Titan Group Charity Gala - the event held every three months . Now , Aliana was thinking of how to use Andrian's desperate situation for her own purpose : investigating Alicia's death . She was convinced there would be a clue at the Gala . But to get there , she needed more from Andrian . It didn't take long for footsteps to echo - sharp and decisive . Elena opened the door and was startled to see Andrian's appearance . He looked disheveled . His hair was messy , his tie hung loosely around his neck , and dark circles shadowed his eyes under the dim garden lights . His suit was wrinkled , and his expression betrayed exhaustion . " Where's Aliana ? " Andrian asked without pausing , only briefly glancing at Elena . " Miss Aliana is inside , " Elena replied politely , walking behind him . Andrian stepped in without another word , eyes scanning the main room . There , Aliana was already seated calmly , as if she had been expecting him . Andrian approached . The scent of jasmine tea still steaming from her cup greeted him . His jaw tightened , taking in how serene the pavilion felt despite the storm that was tearing through his life . " I didn't come to argue ," Andrian began . " That's a shame ," Aliana replied coolly , glancing up at him . " What brings you here ? " Andrian sighed . He stood silently for a moment before sitting across from her . His gaze was sharp - no anger , but his face clearly bore the weight of pressure . " I want us to talk . Civilly ." " Go ahead . " Andrian studied Aliana . She remained composed . Her face was bare of makeup , but it only emphasized her grace and strength . She was not a fragile woman - not easily intimidated - and that had always unsettled him . " There's a Velor Charity Gala tomorrow night ," Andrian said . " Grandmother Genevra wants us to attend together . Holding hands . Smiling . Pretending nothing's wrong . " 1/4 8:18 pm Chapter 30 Aliana raised a brow . " Sounds like theater " " Exactly . " " And you want me to play your stage partner ? " Andrian didn't answer right away . He leaned back and looked out the window . In your hire " I won't beg . But you know we're both under pressure . Not just Titan Group . Zavier Corporation is also taking hits from the scandal ." " Let me make something clear ," Aliana said . " I don't care about Zavier Corporation or the Zavier family . So , your grandmother's request has nothing to do with me . " " Aliana . " Andrian's jaw clenched . Her cold attitude was getting to him . But Aliana's expression showed no hesitation . She meant what she said . " At least do it for yourself . Are you really okay with letting your reputation be ruined ? " " I don't care ." " Aliana ! " Andrian's voice rose as he struggled to contain his frustration . Her stubbornness was driving him mad . " I know you leaked that video . " " I'm not denying it ," Aliana replied , calmly turning her head . " You understand the consequences ? " " I was retaliating . I didn't start this , Andrian . Someone came after me . I couldn't just sit still . " Andrian leaned forward , his voice low and firm . " What do you want ? " Aliana crossed her legs . Her eyes turned cold . " Bianca Lorraine ." " What ? " Andrian raised an eyebrow . " I want her held accountable . She leaked that video about me . She started all of this . " " And you retaliated by leaking a video of me ," Andrian snapped back . Aliana went silent . Andrian leaned back again . " That makes you even ." " No. " Aliana's eyes narrowed . " Bianca still needs to pay . She attacked me first . " Andrian exhaled deeply , then looked Aliana straight in the eye . " Then I'll punish you too . Think I'm scared ? I don't care if I end up divorced a few days after getting married . " Aliana stiffened , staring at Andrian in disbelief . " If my position at Titan Group is threatened , I'll find another way to keep it . But I won't let anyone touch Bianca . " Aliana didn't expect Andrian to defend his lover so fiercely . She chuckled bitterly . 2/4 8:18 pm SS Chapter 30 " You're a fool , Andrian . Just a man blinded by love . " " I'm not . " Andrian replied coolly . " I protect those under my roof . " archers " Under your roof ? " Aliana frowned . " So you see Bianca as a subordinate worth protecting - even when she attacks your own wife ? " " I never said she was right . But I won't punish her just because you say so . The world doesn't revolve around your wants , Aliana . " Aliana paused . Her eyes darkened , though her face remained calm . " Then I'll bring a bigger reason . I believe Bianca was involved in Alicia's death ." Andrian froze . His eyes changed . " Do you have proof ? " Aliana looked out the window before answering . " Not yet . But I will find it ." Andrian thought for a moment . " If she's truly involved , I'll punish her myself , " he said . " But until then - no judgments ." Aliana studied him , judging his sincerity . Then she nodded slowly . " Alright . If that's your guarantee … I'll go to the Gala . " Andrian didn't smile , but he nodded firmly . " I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow night ." Aliana replied curtly . " Don't be late . I hate waiting . " Andrian stood and left without another word . As his figure disappeared , Aliana sat motionless . Her fists clenched tightly to suppress the emotion swirling inside her . " So that woman is heavily protected . But I won't back down . Bianca Lorraine will pay for what she did to Alicia ." Meanwhile , at Titan Group , Bianca was still in her office . The sharp sound of shattering echoed from the executive floor . A crystal vase had hit the ground and exploded into fragments that scattered beneath her desk . Bianca stood panting , her eyes red with rage . Her face contorted in fury . " She … that woman really wants to take everything from me ! " Bianca screamed . " That gala is mine ! It's always been mine ! Everyone knows I'm Andrian's partner there . Even when Alicia was alive , he went with me ! " Bianca grabbed a framed photo on her desk and hurled it at the wall . The glass shattered , shards scattering across the floor . In the corner , Derek stood stiffly , too afraid to move . " Miss … " Derek said quietly . " Please … calm yourself . " " Calm ?! " Bianca spun toward him , eyes blazing . " Andrian is going to the Gala with Aliana ! Do you know what that means ? Everyone will think he's truly accepted her as his partner . They'll think I've been discarded ! " She stepped toward the broken glass on the floor recklessly . One sharp shard sliced her lower leg . Blood trickled down to the marble . Derek rushed forward . " Miss , you're hurt ! " Bianca winced , but upon seeing the blood , she raised her hand to stop Derek's help . 3/4 Tupm Chapter 30 She stared down at her wound … then gave a sly , deliberate smile . A smile full of hidden intent . 20 vouchers " Derek , " she said softly , " You know … I might not be able to go to the Gala with Andrian . But I can make sure .. he doesn't go either ." Derek frowned . Not understanding her meaning . Bianca then bent down , picking up a larger shard of glass - sharp enough to wound , though not lethal . With a slow breath , she drew the glass across the outer side of her left arm , just below the shoulder - a non - vital one that would bleed enough to look serious at a glance . Derek let out a panicked scream . " Miss ! What are you doing ?! " Bianca kept smiling . Her face was pale , but her gaze was full of calculation . To Bianca , the wound was a weapon . " Tell Andrian I fell . The glass shattered , and I slipped . I lost quite a bit of blood . He can't possibly leave me in this condition … right ? " Derek stood frozen . He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed . Bianca Lorraine had always been known for her ambition , but he never imagined she would go this far - hurting herself just to keep Andrian's attention . Bianca chuckled softly . Her voice almost sounded cheerful . To Bianca , Andrian was everything - and the one thing no one was allowed to take from her . If injuring herself was what it took to keep him , then she would do it . Without hesitation . 田