The Scandal Goes Public
Chapter 07 - The Scandal Goes Public
By the time Adrian reached Castillo Tower, Vivienne had transformed the crisis into a public spectacle. Reporters crowded the lobby, broadcasting claims that Adrian was suffering from memory loss and had formed an “inappropriate attachment” to a household employee who manipulated him for money.
Elena's photograph appeared on every screen beside the words SUSPECTED BLACKMAIL.
The story was cruelly effective. It turned evidence into romance, justice into jealousy, and a working woman's grief into ambition. Staff members at the mansion began receiving threatening messages. Gabriel's employer suspended him before anyone even knew where he was.
Adrian entered the boardroom at eight fourteen. Twelve directors sat around the long table. Vivienne occupied the chair at the far end, dressed in emerald green, composed beneath the lights. Marcus stood beside her with a stack of medical reports.
“You are late,” Vivienne said.
“You moved the vote,” Adrian replied.
“We acted because the company's security systems were compromised by people connected to your maid.”
Elena remained outside with the attorney, where cameras could not turn her presence into another lie. Adrian presented Mateo's letter, Ruth's affidavit, and the photographed ledger. Marcus dismissed each item as stolen or fabricated. Then he produced a doctor's statement claiming Adrian had experienced paranoia after his accident.
Adrian recognized the clinic name from the photograph hidden behind his mother's portrait.
The doctor was not in the room to answer questions. The report carried a digital signature and no examination notes. Yet several directors hesitated. They feared scandal more than fraud.
The board's oldest member, Celeste Castillo—Adrian's aunt—asked one question. “If Adrian is unstable, why did you allow him to run the company for eighteen months?”
Vivienne's answer came too quickly. “Because I hoped he would recover.”
Celeste looked unconvinced.
Outside, Elena received a voice message from Gabriel. His words were rushed: “I'm okay. Nolan locked me in the guesthouse, but security found me. I have the original phone.”
Relief nearly dropped her to the floor.
Gabriel had hidden the device inside an air vent before Nolan took him. The restored video, its metadata, and deleted system logs were intact. More importantly, the phone contained a second recording captured after the bracelet was planted. In it, Vivienne told Marcus that the board would “believe a wife in silk before a maid on her knees.”
Elena sent the file to Adrian.
Inside the boardroom, his phone vibrated. He played the recording aloud.
Several directors turned toward Vivienne. For the first time, she had no prepared answer.
May you like
But Marcus did. He closed the conference-room doors and announced that the file proved only misconduct, not financial fraud.
Then the building's fire alarm began to scream.
