Chapter 30 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 Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...