Ch. 271..275: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 271-275
Chapter 271: An Ultimatum from The Major
Xander’s Private Residence.
Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the dining room, casting a golden glow on the polished mahogany table. The air was still, heavy with an unspoken tension that had lingered since last night.
Aurora stepped into the dining room, her expression neutral as her gaze flickered toward the head seat at the table. Empty.
She released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and made her way to her usual spot. The absence of Xander felt like a small victory. At least he was listening to her on this one.
As soon as she sat down, a plate of her favourite breakfast—fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit—was placed before her. The aroma was warm and inviting, but her appetite was dimmed by the events of the past few days.
Still, she shut her eyes and murmured a quiet prayer before picking up her cutlery.
Just as she took her first bite, Nene appeared beside her, a small tray in hand.
"Ma’am, your routine medications," Nene reminded softly, placing the small bowl of pills next to her juice.
Aurora grimaced instantly. The mere sight of the pills made her stomach churn, and the bitter medicinal scent nearly had her gagging.
She covered her nose and shook her head. "Take them away, Nene. I can’t stand the smell."
Nene, ever patient, simply nodded and picked up the tray. "I will bring them back once you’re done eating, Ma’am."
Aurora groaned in frustration, watching as Nene walked away with the offensive pills. She wished there was a way to avoid taking them altogether, but she knew she had no choice—not if she wanted her baby to be healthy.
Resigning herself to the inevitable, she resumed eating.
But in the middle of her meal, her gaze drifted back to the empty head seat. The reminder of Xander’s absence didn’t bring relief this time—it brought irritation.
She scoffed under her breath, stabbing at her food with more force than necessary.
Placing a gentle hand on her belly, she whispered, "Little one, promise me you’ll never be as stubborn as your father."
She sighed.
Deep down, she knew she was being childish. Xander was a complex man, and his job was complicated. But that didn’t change the fact that she felt unheard and disregarded.
She just wished he would stop making her feel like she was competing with his duty.
---
Meanwhile, at the other end, Xander sat behind the heavy wooden desk in his study, his fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. He was reviewing surveillance reports, analyzing intercepted messages, and cross-referencing data about the network behind Daniel.
His focus was razor-sharp, but the dark circles under his eyes hinted at the restless night he had endured.
Then his phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, he straightened slightly. It was Major Walker.
He answered immediately. "Sir."
The Major’s voice came through, sharp and direct. "Give me an update. Has the spy talked?"
Xander exhaled, rubbing his temple briefly. "Not yet, but we’re working on it."
The Major clicked his tongue in disapproval. "That’s not good enough, Lex. It’s been days. If he hasn’t cracked yet, what makes you think he will?"
Xander’s jaw tightened. "He’s trained. We underestimated his resilience."
"That’s clear," the Major said dryly. "Do you need reinforcement? Arsenal’s interrogation team can take over."
Xander immediately dismissed the idea. "No. We’re handling it. I just need more time."
A brief silence followed before the Major spoke again, this time with a hint of suspicion. "Where exactly are you keeping him?"
Xander hesitated for a split second before replying, "In the basement of my home."
A sharp inhale came from the other end of the line. "You’re keeping a captured enemy operative in the same house where your wife sleeps?"
Xander’s fingers tapped against the desk. "He can’t escape. I have complete control over the situation."
Major Walker’s concern came from a place Xander understood. Aurora was his doctor, so of course, he would be concerned about her.
"You’d better hope so," the Major warned. "Because if anything goes wrong, it won’t just be your problem—it will be mine," he said, pretending like his daughter’s safety wasn’t the reason he was all hyper and concerned.
But if the situation wasn’t different, he could as sure as hell, already scolded Xander’s ass and made him sorry for jeopardizing his daughter’s safety. Unfortunately, he hasn’t acknowledged Aurora as his daughter, and he wasn’t ever going to.
Xander remained silent.
"Enough of this," the Major continued. "I’m giving you two days. Either you get the information we need, or you bring him in."
With that, the call ended.
Xander dropped his phone onto the desk and leaned back in his chair, his mind calculating.
Two days. That was all the time he had.
A moment later, he picked up his phone again and dialled a number he knew by heart. The call connected after two rings.
"Xander," Asher greeted. "What’s up?"
"Major Walker gave us an ultimatum," Xander informed him without preamble. "Two days to get answers, or we have to send Daniel to HQ."
There was a slight pause before Asher responded, "We can’t let that happen."
Xander nodded even though his friend couldn’t see him. "That’s what I thought. If we hand him over, there’s a chance that someone in the chain of command—someone working with the people who sent him—could silence him before we get the truth."
"Exactly," Asher agreed. "And that would mean we’ve lost everything."
Xander exhaled. "Then we have until tomorrow night to break him."
There was a brief chuckle from Asher’s end. "Torture session, round two?"
Xander smirked slightly. "Round three."
"Damn," Asher muttered. Then his tone shifted, becoming serious. "I will come over. And we will make sure he talks before the deadline."
Xander nodded. "See you soon."
As the call ended, Xander set his phone down and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his desk.
Two days.
That was all the time they had left. And he wasn’t about to let it go to waste.
Chapter 272: First Counselling Session
Xander leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the wooden surface of his desk as he continued skimming through a classified document on his laptop.
His study had become his new residence since Aurora had banished him from their bedroom, and though he understood her anger, he hadn’t expected her to be this stubborn. She was only after punishing him.
Suddenly, a soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called as he stopped tapping his fingers on the table and leaned out of his seat.
The door creaked open, and Nene stepped inside, her hands neatly folded in front of her. "Good morning, Sir," she greeted as she stopped in front of his desk and bowed politely. "I just wanted to inform you that Ma’am has left for work."
Xander gave a short nod, returning his gaze to the screen. "Alright."
Nene hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "She... seems to be missing you."
Xander’s fingers paused mid-tap. His eyes flickered up to Nene, mild surprise crossing his features. "What?" The woman who chased him out of her sight could miss him?
Nene gave a small, knowing smile. "She didn’t say it directly, but she’s been distracted lately. And this morning, she kept looking at the empty head seat at the breakfast table."
Xander exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. His wife was a complicated woman—one minute, she wanted him out of her sight, and the next, she was missing him. He wasn’t sure if he should be pleased or more frustrated.
"Noted," he muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Should I tell the kitchen to prepare anything special for when she returns?" Nene asked.
Xander shook his head. "No. Just make sure she’s taken care of."
Nene nodded in understanding and left quietly.
Xander sat in silence for a few moments before chuckling under his breath. "Women..."
Yet, despite his amusement, a small part of him felt lighter. At least she still cared about him, which meant their reconciliation would be much easier.
---
Dr. Freya Williams’ Private Clinic.
Olivia sat stiffly in the plush leather chair across from Dr. Freya Williams, her fingers intertwined on her lap. The office was warm and inviting, with soft lighting, bookshelves stacked with psychology texts, and the subtle scent of lavender filling the air.
But despite the comforting setting, Olivia felt anything but comfortable.
Dr. Freya, dressed in a neatly pressed beige blouse, sat across from her, her gaze warm and patient. "I understand that this wasn’t exactly your idea," she started, her voice smooth and composed. "But I want you to know that this is a safe space, Olivia."
Olivia scoffed lightly, shifting in her seat. "Safe space, huh?"
Dr. Freya smiled, unbothered by her skepticism. "Let’s start with something simple. Tell me, Olivia... who do you resent the most right now?"
Olivia’s jaw tightened. "Isn’t it obvious?"
Dr. Freya arched a brow. "I’d still like to hear it from you."
Olivia exhaled sharply, crossing her legs. "My mother." Her voice was cold, detached. "She murdered my father, lied to me for months, and now, because of her, my entire life has turned into a circus."
Dr. Freya nodded, jotting something down in her notebook. "Anyone else?"
Olivia hesitated before answering. "My aunt."
That caught Dr. Freya’s interest. "Stephanie?"
"Yes." Olivia’s fingers tightened against each other. "She’s controlling and manipulative. She pretends she’s helping me, but I know she’s just waiting for me to fail."
Dr. Freya hummed thoughtfully, making another note. "And what about yourself?"
Olivia frowned. "What about me?"
"Do you resent yourself?"
The question struck Olivia in a way she hadn’t expected. She blinked, caught off guard. "Why would I?"
Dr. Freya leaned back slightly. "You’ve had your world turned upside down. You were deceived by someone you trusted, and now, you’re fighting to reclaim control over your life. But sometimes, when people go through situations like yours, they secretly blame themselves. Do you ever wonder if you could have seen the truth earlier? Do you ever ask yourself if you should have done something differently?"
Olivia’s heart pounded against her ribs. "That’s ridiculous," she snapped. "None of this is my fault."
Dr. Freya smiled slightly. "I never said it was."
Silence filled the space between them. Olivia looked away, irritated that the doctor had gotten under her skin so quickly.
Dr. Freya, sensing she had pushed enough for now, switched gears. "Let’s end today’s session here. But before you go, I want you to reflect on something: Is your anger truly directed at your mother and your aunt, or is it just easier to blame them?"
Olivia scowled but said nothing.
Dr. Freya picked up her planner. "Same time next Tuesday?"
Olivia exhaled through her nose. "Fine."
Dr. Freya gave her a warm smile. "I will see you then."
Olivia picked up her bag and left. It was only when she had gotten into her car that she remembered her biggest enemy, Owen. And she swore never to forget to talk about him next time.
---
Swift Family Residence.
Stephanie reclined comfortably on the couch, a bowl of neatly sliced apples resting beside her as she casually flipped through TV channels. The afternoon sun streamed in through the grand windows, casting a golden hue across the living room.
When the door opened, she didn’t even need to turn around before guessing the visitor. "You’re back."
Olivia strode in, her posture tense. She barely glanced at the TV before focusing on her aunt. "Before you ask, the session was... fine," she said vaguely.
She was confident that Stephanie purposely sat in the living room waiting for her return so she could question her.
Stephanie plucked a slice of apple from the bowl, taking a slow bite. "You don’t sound sure."
Olivia exhaled sharply. "I don’t know yet." Then, without wasting time, she asked, "When do I return to work?"
Stephanie took another bite, chewing slowly before responding. "When you show progress."
Olivia’s brows knitted in frustration. "Are you serious?"
Stephanie turned to her with a patient smile. "Very."
Olivia’s fists clenched at her sides. She had gone to the damn session like her aunt wanted, and now she was being told to wait even longer?
Wouldn’t it be fare if she resumed work and continued with the therapy session?
Not ready to get into an argument as she hadn’t the strength, Olivia spun on her heel and walked out, her heels clicking against the marble floor with sharp determination.
Stephanie scoffed, watching her go as she popped another apple slice into her mouth.
If Olivia thought she was going to have things easy even though she had given her a second chance, then she was dreaming.
Chapter 273: The Soft Kisses
The sun had already begun to set, casting a golden hue over the grand estate. Asher’s car pulled up into the driveway, the engine humming smoothly before it came to a stop.
The butler dutiful stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Good evening, Mr. Moore. Mr. Scott is expecting you. He’s at the basement."
Asher smirked slightly, adjusting the cuffs of his dark dress shirt as he stepped out of the car. "Seems like he didn’t leave the house today."
Just then, Liam appeared from the side of the house, his expression neutral but his sharp eyes taking in Asher’s presence. "I shall escort you, Mr. Moore." he said, motioning for Asher to follow.
They moved swiftly, avoiding the main entrance as Liam led him through a hidden path at the back of the house. The air grew colder as they descended the stone staircase leading to the basement, the faint scent of blood and sweat thick in the air.
When they stepped inside, the dim lighting cast eerie shadows along the walls. Xander was already seated comfortably in a chair, his legs crossed, a newspaper in his hands as if he were lounging in a café instead of a torture chamber.
On the floor, Daniel lay motionless except for the slow, labored rise and fall of his chest. His face was bruised, his clothes stained with dried blood, and the corner of his mouth glistened red. He was barely clinging to consciousness, but his lips remained tightly sealed.
Xander didn’t even look up from the newspaper. "Took you long enough."
Asher chuckled, stepping closer and taking a good look at Daniel before shifting his gaze to Xander. "Looks like you’ve beaten him to a stupor already."
Xander finally folded the newspaper and placed it aside. "And I didn’t even go hard on him."
Asher let out a low laugh. "If this is you going easy, I’d hate to see what you’d look like when you’re serious."
Liam placed a chair next to Xander. Asher took a seat, cracking his knuckles as he exhaled. "So, where do we start?"
Xander leaned back with a stubborn frown etched on his forehead. "Anywhere you want. He’s all yours."
---
The sound of water dripping echoed in the silent basement. The flickering yellow light overhead buzzed faintly, casting elongated shadows against the cold concrete walls.
Daniel had endured hours of pain, his body broken in ways he hadn’t imagined possible. Xander and Asher had taken turns questioning him, their methods brutal yet calculated.
Each wrong answer earned him a fresh wound. Every silence was punished.
His breathing was ragged, his head swimming with dizziness, but still, he had refused to speak—until now.
His resolve had finally shattered.
With his swollen eyes barely open, Daniel gasped out a name. A single name.
Xander and Asher exchanged a glance, their sharp gazes locking before turning back to their captive.
And just like that, the dam broke.
Daniel spilled everything. The organization that had sent him. Their objectives. Their allies hidden in the shadows. Every question Xander and Asher threw at him, he answered with painful truth, his body trembling as he did so.
By the time he was done, silence filled the room.
The Reagent family truly deserved a standing ovation for their long decades of attempts to take power over Wing City.
Xander leaned back, exhaling through his nose. Asher sat beside him, arms resting on his knees, looking almost impressed.
After a moment, Xander extended his hand toward Asher. "Good work."
Asher smirked and took it, giving a firm shake. "Likewise."
With their mission finally completed, Xander’s eyes darkened as he turned back to Daniel, who was barely conscious. "He can’t be left alive."
Asher nodded in agreement. "I’ll take care of it during transport tomorrow."
Xander gave a short nod, satisfied. "Make sure the body is never found."
"Consider it done," Asher muttered, his voice carrying a promise.
Liam stepped forward, signaling two men to restrain Daniel again, just in case.
Asher and Xander finally stood, stretching out their limbs. The night had been long, but at least they had gotten what they came for.
And now, there was only one thing left to do.
---
Aurora was deep in sleep, her breathing slow and steady. The exhaustion from the day at Vintage Cellar had weighed her down, making her unconscious to the world.
So, she didn’t stir when the bedroom door quietly creaked open.
A tall, shadowed figure stepped inside, his movements silent as he approached the bed.
Xander.
With practiced ease, he slipped under the covers, his presence barely disturbing the sheets. Carefully, he reached for Aurora, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him.
She stiffened slightly in her sleep, but when his warmth surrounded her, her body instinctively relaxed. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she melted into his hold.
Xander pressed a gentle kiss against her temple, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. "I missed you," he murmured against her skin, though he knew she couldn’t hear him.
For the first time in days, he finally felt at peace.
---
The Next Morning
The morning light streamed through the curtains, illuminating the room in a soft golden hue. The faint chirping of birds outside signaled the start of a new day.
Aurora stirred, stretching slightly before blinking her eyes open. She felt unusually warm, as if she had been wrapped in a cocoon of comfort all night.
But when she turned over, the space beside her was empty.
Her brows furrowed as she sat up, glancing around the room. There was no trace of Xander—except for the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the sheets.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The warmth. The firm embrace. The soft kisses.
It hadn’t been a dream.
"That sneaky man," she muttered, her jaw tightening as she realized the truth.
He had been here. In their bed. Holding her while she slept, only to disappear before she could catch him.
Aurora clenched the duvet in her fists, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her.
He was impossible.
And yet... she hadn’t pulled away from him last night.
That fact alone irritated her more than anything else.
Chapter 274: Winning Her Over
Aurora stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her toothbrush moving lazily across her teeth as her thoughts continued to run wild. That sneaky husband of hers had held her all night, only to disappear before she could catch him.
Her grip on her toothbrush tightened as irritation swirled in her chest. Did he think she wouldn’t notice? Did he think he could just slip back into her bed like nothing happened?
She felt his guts was on another level.
Aurora spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth, her jaw tightening. "Just wait and see," she muttered under her breath.
After freshening up, she slipped into a light lavender blouse and fitted trousers before heading downstairs for breakfast.
---
The dining room was quiet when Aurora entered, and as her gaze instinctively flickered to the head seat at the table, she found it empty—again.
She scoffed, shaking her head as she made her way to her usual spot. "Coward," she muttered under her breath, annoyed that he had the audacity to sneak into her bed yet didn’t have the guts to face her over breakfast.
She swore that she would have taught him a big lesson.
A moment later, a steaming bowl of sweet-cooked oats and a beautifully layered yogurt and fruit parfait were placed in front of her. The enticing aroma filled the air, but just as she was about to dig in, Nene approached, a small tray of medications in her hands.
Aurora groaned before Nene could even say a word. "Do I have to take those?" she whined, already knowing the answer.
Her mood was already sour all thanks to Xander and now, she had to deal with the disgusting smell of the drugs.
Nene simply smiled, setting the pills down beside her. "It’s best to take them now, Ma’am. You can use the rest of your breakfast to wash away the bitterness."
Aurora narrowed her eyes at the tray, contemplating pushing it away. But she knew Nene would stand there all day if she had to, waiting until she took them. With a deep sigh, she picked up the pills, popped them into her mouth, and quickly washed them down with a sip of water.
Nene beamed. "That wasn’t so bad, was it?"
Aurora shot her a glare but didn’t respond.
Just as she resumed eating, footsteps echoed in the dining hall. She glanced up, and to her shock, Xander walked in, a charming smile plastered on his face.
"Good morning, Sweetheart," he greeted smoothly.
Aurora froze, her spoon hovering in mid-air as her eyes followed him in disbelief. The audacity!
Did he just call her Sweetheart?
She watched as he walked to the head seat the very seat she had gotten used to being empty and casually sat down.
Nene, as if nothing was wrong, immediately set a plate in front of him and began serving him food. She definitely knew something about his appearance.
Aurora clenched her jaw, her appetite vanishing. Unable to hold back, she placed her spoon down and folded her arms. "Who told you you could have breakfast with me?" she asked coldly.
Xander picked up his coffee cup, blowing on it slightly before responding, "Sweetheart, I live here."
Aurora scoffed. "That didn’t stop you from avoiding me these past few days."
Xander smirked, taking a sip of his coffee before setting it down. "That’s because you told me not to appear in front of you until the man in our basement was gone."
Aurora narrowed her eyes. "And yet, here you are."
"Because there is no prisoner in our basement anymore," Xander said simply, cutting into his food. "I sent him away." He lifted his gaze to meet hers. "That means I can return to our bedroom now."
Aurora let out a dry laugh. "Keep dreaming, Mr. Scott." She leaned back in her seat and added, "And don’t think this changes anything. I haven’t forgiven you yet."
Xander’s smirk widened. "Oh? Then how much longer should I wait?"
Aurora shot him a warning glare. "And don’t you dare sneak into my bed again, or I swear I will break your legs."
Xander chuckled heartily, shaking his head as he resumed eating. "I don’t mind," he said, happy to see that her resolve had weakened.
Aurora huffed, stabbing her spoon into her parfait. She wasn’t done with him yet.
---
A Few Days Later...
The evening was calm, and Aurora sat curled up on the couch in the living room, engrossed in a drama series. She had a bowl of popcorn on her lap, and for once, she was completely relaxed.
That was until Nene walked in.
"Ma’am," Nene said with an unusual excitement in her tone. "You need to come outside for a moment."
Aurora frowned, her gaze still fixed on the TV. "Why?"
Nene clasped her hands together. "It’s important."
Aurora narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Can’t it wait?"
Nene shook her head. "No, Ma’am. Please come now."
Aurora sighed, reluctantly pausing the drama and placing her popcorn aside. "This better be good." She stood up and followed Nene through the grand hallway, her curiosity growing with each step.
When they finally stepped outside, Aurora froze.
Right in front of her, parked in the grand driveway, was a sleek, brand-new Mercedes-Benz SUV, its pristine white body gleaming under the evening lights. But what caught her attention the most was the big red ribbon tied in a perfect bow on the hood.
Before she could fully process what she was looking at, a sudden pop! echoed in the air, and colourful confetti rained down around her.
Aurora blinked, utterly stunned.
Then, Xander stepped forward, a confident smirk on his face. He held out a set of keys toward her. "For you," he said smoothly.
Aurora stared at him, then at the car, then back at him. "What is this?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Xander took another step closer. "An apology gift," he admitted. "For everything."
Aurora’s lips parted slightly, completely caught off guard. She glanced at the customized license plate that read ’Mrs. Scott’, her heart skipping a beat despite herself.
Xander’s gaze softened. "Forgive me, Sweetheart?"
Aurora remained silent, her fingers twitching at her sides. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to let go of her anger just yet, but... damn it, the car was stunning.
She lifted her gaze to meet Xander’s, seeing the sincerity behind his smirk. He was serious.
But she wasn’t going to give in that easily.
With a huff, she snatched the keys from his hand and turned to inspect the car, pretending to be unimpressed.
Xander chuckled, knowing full well he was winning her over.
Chapter 275: Exposed To The Public
Two weeks later, Tea Time Gossip blog released an article that shook the entire Wing City.
𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐅𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘 – 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐅𝐎𝐑... 𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑?!
Tea Sippers, buckle up because this might just be the most shocking story we have ever covered.
By now, everyone in Wing City is aware that Stella Swift, the once-untouchable matriarch of the Swift family, has been arrested. But the real question that’s been burning on everyone’s lips is: Why?
Rumours have been swirling for weeks. Some speculated it was financial fraud. Others whispered about power struggles within Vintage Cellar. But, darlings, I’m here to tell you that the truth is far darker than any of us could have imagined.
Stella Swift was arrested for MURDER.
Yes, you read that correctly.
The esteemed, sophisticated, and calculating Stella Swift, known for her iron grip over the Swift family and her legendary influence in Wing City, is now sitting in a jail cell—not for corruption, not for scandalous business dealings, but for taking a life.
Now, let me sip my tea before we get into the real mess.
Because here’s where things get even juicier...
𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙?
The police are keeping their lips sealed tighter than a vault, but sources close to the case have whispered in my ear. And trust me, my sources are rarely wrong.
From what I’ve uncovered, the murder happened months ago and was carefully covered up, but the truth has finally clawed its way to the surface. The victim? Someone close to home. Someone who trusted Stella Swift the most.
Let that sink in.
Now, my dear Tea Sippers, I could tell you the name of the person who was tragically erased from existence, but where’s the fun in that?
Instead, I will leave you with this clue: The victim was someone who once held great power in Wing City but was suddenly unalived at his daughter’s function. And if you connect the dots, you will realize that his sudden death came as a big shock to the people of Wing City.
Still don’t know?
Well, my darlings, you’ll just have to wait until the first court hearing. By then, all will be revealed, and the truth will set Wing City on fire.
And before the Swift family starts sharpening their legal swords, let me say this loud and clear: I will give the Swift family full permission to sue me if I’m spreading false information.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠.
𝑼𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒅.
~Tea Time.
---
𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:
Angel_ofGossip: NO WAY. Stella Swift? A MURDERER?? WHO DID SHE KILL??
NotYourAverageDetective: If this is true, it has to be someone from the Swift family. Maybe a business rival?
WingCityLurker:"Once held great power but vanished?" ...Wait. OH MY GOD.
TeaTimeLover: Y’all... Adam Swift was murdered on the night of his second daughter’s wedding. Do you think—?!
GossipGirl101: @TeaTimeLover I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!!! Damn!
TheRealInsider: If this is true, Wing City is NEVER going to recover from this.
TruthUncovered: I feel like this is bigger than we even realize... What ELSE has the Swift family been hiding?!
---
Abigail sat on her couch, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of orange juice in one hand and her phone in the other. Her lips parted slightly in shock as she reread the headline from Tea Time’s latest gossip article.
"𝐓𝐄𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘 – 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑... 𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑?!"
Abigail nearly choked on her drink.
She tapped her screen and scrolled through the article, her eyes widening with every new line. The blog hadn’t just hinted at Stella’s crimes—it had practically laid them bare for the entire world to see.
"What the..."
Abigail never expected that the blog would expose Stella so soon. Without wasting another second, she hit the call button and dialled Aurora.
The line barely rang twice before Aurora picked up.
"You’ve seen it, haven’t you?" Aurora’s voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it.
Abigail scoffed. "Damn right, I’ve seen it! Aurora, what the hell?! Tea Time just exposed your stepmother as a murderer! How did they even get this information?"
Aurora sighed. "I don’t know." She was equally surprised when she read the article a few minutes ago.
Abigail pinched the bridge of her nose. "The court hasn’t even reached a verdict yet, and this blog is already throwing her to the wolves. I won’t say she doesn’t deserve it, though."
Abigail has been waiting for Stella’s crimes to make the rounds in the media, and finally, they did. She was only surprised by the timing.
Aurora exhaled. "You are right—it’s strange how Tea Time got their hands on this information before the trial even unfolded."
Abigail was silent for a moment before she muttered, "This is bad."
"I know."
"I mean, it’s good in a way because people will finally see her for the monster she is, but still... this means there’s a leak somewhere. Someone close to the investigation must have spilled."
Aurora hummed in agreement. "That’s what I’m starting to think, too."
Abigail sighed dramatically. "Well, guess I’ll be glued to my phone all day. This is gonna explode all over the internet."
Aurora rolled her eyes. "Don’t get too comfortable in the drama, Abby."
"No promises," Abigail teased before her tone grew serious again. "But seriously, watch your back, Aurora. The press is going to be relentless after this."
Aurora frowned slightly. "Yeah. I need to talk to Xander."
"Good idea."
After exchanging a few more words, they ended the call.
---
Aurora found Xander at his usual spot in his study, sitting behind his desk with his laptop open, scrolling through what she assumed were reports.
He looked up the moment she stepped inside.
"Tea Time just exposed Stella as a murderer," she stated without preamble.
Xander’s brows furrowed, and he leaned forward, his expression instantly hardening. "I saw that. The media will be tailing you wherever you go. And not just the media—people with different intentions might take advantage of the chaos."
Aurora’s stomach twisted slightly. She hated how the embarrassment of her enemies always found a way to rub her in.
"I’m arranging for bodyguards to follow you whenever you step out of the house," Xander said, closing his laptop.
Aurora groaned. Though she hated the arrangement, the situation was escalating, and the last thing she needed was to deal with reckless journalists hounding her every step. So, she agreed to Xander’s idea.
---
Swift Family’s Residence.
At the same time, Stephanie was bothered after seeing Tea Time’s article. Her sharp eyes scanned the words carefully, her lips pressing into a thin line.
She would have been happy if Stella wasn’t a part of the Swift family. Unfortunately, she was, and that meant that her crimes being exposed to the public would put their entire company in an even more vulnerable position.
Stephanie exhaled sharply and downed the rest of her wine in one go. She needed to get ahead of this before it spiralled further out of control.
---
Upstairs, Olivia sat frozen on her bed, her phone clutched tightly in her hands. Her heart pounded as she reread the article.
"Murderer."
The word burned into her brain like a scar. Her breathing grew erratic, her vision blurring with rage and disbelief.
The entire world knew now. Everyone knew. They would whisper behind her back. They would call her the murderer’s daughter.
Her grip on the phone trembled before she suddenly let out an angry scream and threw it across the room. The device shattered against the wall, pieces scattering across the floor.
Tears burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, her entire body shaking with fury.
"This is all your fault," she whispered venomously.
She didn’t care that her mother was sick. She didn’t care that she was in prison, awaiting trial. That woman had ruined her life, and she would never forgive her for it.