Chapter 162: Ryan’s Rescue
Damian looked at Ryan, then at the mother and child shielded behind him. His face shifted from shock to resentment, finally settling into a twisted look of defeat.
"Mr. Lawrence, this is a family matter between me and my wife," Damian spat, trying to fix his sleeve. "Aren't you overstepping your bounds as an outsider?"
"Ex-wife," Ryan corrected coldly. He took a step forward, his shadow looming over Damian. "And as far as I know, this is Miss Bell’s private residence. You are an intruder."
Ryan glanced at his watch. "You have three seconds to vanish. Otherwise, I’ll make sure tomorrow’s headline is 'Omni CEO Detained for Breaking and Entering.'"
"One."
The bodyguards stepped forward in unison. Damian’s eyes flickered with rage. He glared at Evelyn. "You’ll regret this. This man is just playing with you. Only I truly want to give you a home!"
With that, he shoved past the bodyguards and fled in disgrace. Evelyn’s nerves finally snapped. She swayed, nearly collapsing, but Ryan caught her and led her to the sofa.
"Clean this up," Ryan ordered the bodyguards, his tone full of disgust. "Don't leave a single petal."
That night, Evelyn’s sleep was plagued by nightmares of Damian and the sea of roses. She woke the next morning to the frantic pings of her phone. She checked the screen and felt her blood turn cold.
Twitter, Facebook, and the tabloids were covered in her face. Photos had been maliciously spliced together: her at the theme park with Ryan, her at the gala in her black dress, and a stalker-angle shot of Damian at her door with the flowers.
The headlines were vicious: #Famous Designer’s Messy Love Life: Playing Two Tycoons With Her Secret Son! #Design Rising Star or Gold Digger? Climbing the Elite Ladder! #Sophia Bell’s Secret History: Using a Child as a Bargaining Chip!
The comments were worse. "Slut," "Shameless," "How can a woman like this be a designer?" and "Poor kid having a mother like her."
Evelyn’s fingers shook. The photo of Damian was clearly taken from the fire escape at the end of the hall. Only Damian would be this petty and cruel.
She dialed Damian’s number immediately. He picked up instantly, his voice smug. "Evelyn? Have you thought it over? I knew you'd call."
"Damian Green!" Evelyn hissed. "How low can you go? You hired someone to take those photos just to force me back? Do you have any idea how much this will hurt Elias?"
"How can you blame me?" Damian sounded innocent. "I’m angry too. The media is out of control." He paused. "But there is a way. Just release a statement saying we are together. These rumors will die instantly."
"I'll have the legal department sue everyone who insulted you. Come back, Evelyn. Only I can protect you."
"In your dreams," Evelyn said, feeling a wave of nausea. "I’d rather have my reputation ruined than ever be linked to a piece of trash like you again!"
She threw her phone against the wall. The screen shattered into pieces.
"Mommy?" Elias stood at the bedroom door, clutching the bear Ryan gave him. He was trembling from the noise.
Seeing his scared face, Evelyn rushed over and hugged him, her tears finally falling. What was she going to do? If this news kept growing, Elias would be bullied at school and her studio would be boycotted. Was there no escaping Damian?
Suddenly, a commotion broke out downstairs. Evelyn peeked through the curtain and turned pale. Reporters from a dozen outlets were crowding the apartment entrance.
"We want an interview with Miss Bell!" "Who is the child’s father?" "That’s a Nova Group car!"
A black Maybach forced its way through the crowd and stopped at the door. Ryan Lawrence stepped out. His natural authority silenced the mob instantly.
"It’s Mr. Lawrence!" "Get the shot!"
Reporters swarmed him, microphones shoved in his face. "Mr. Lawrence, what is your relationship with Miss Bell?" "Is she playing both sides?" "Do you know who the father is?"
Ryan adjusted his cufflink, then took the nearest microphone. His sharp gaze swept over the cameras.
"Since you're all here, I’ll clarify two things."
"First, regarding my relationship with Miss Sophia Bell." Ryan looked directly into the lens. "I am pursuing her. However, I have not yet earned her favor."
The crowd gasped. Ryan Lawrence, the titan of the Nova Group, was publicly admitting to being... a simp?
"Miss Bell is an independent woman. She has the right to refuse anyone, including me. This 'playing both sides' narrative is simply me being persistent. If I see any more reports slandering her name, Nova’s legal team will see you in court."
"Second." Ryan handed a USB drive to Vincent.
Seconds later, the massive LED advertising screen on the building across the street went black, then started playing a clear security video. It was the footage of the apartment hallway from last night.
The video showed Damian Green acting like a madman, ordering people to lay roses, blocking Evelyn’s door, and then lunging at her before Elias bit him. It showed his violent reaction toward the child.
Though silent, the video exposed Damian’s toxic obsession and violence for all to see.