Chapter 137
Playing With Fire
Victor’s declaration echoed through the mansion like a gunshot, and the aftermath was just as deafening. By midday, every major news outlet had picked up the clip. Adrian and Claire’s names were splashed across headlines—Corporate Power Couple Accused of Fraud, Victor Carter Declares War, Secrets and Scandals of the Elite.
Claire sat stiffly in Adrian’s private office, her hands clenched around a steaming cup of tea she hadn’t touched. She couldn’t remember the last time her heart had stopped racing.
“He’s coming for us,” she said finally, her voice taut. “And the world’s watching.”
Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, eyes locked on the city skyline. His posture was calm—too calm. That kind of stillness only came before a storm.
“I’ve already spoken to legal,” he said. “They’re preparing countersuits and subpoenas of our own. The moment he files, we hit back.”
Claire set down the cup with a clink. “What if it’s not just legal this time? He’s weaponizing the media. Public opinion. We both know how ruthless he can be.”
Adrian turned, walking toward her. “Then we show them what ruthless really looks like.”
The Press Conference
That afternoon, Adrian called a press conference at Blackwood Global’s headquarters. The press swarmed the steps like a colony of vultures sensing blood, waiting for carnage. Claire stood beside Adrian in a sleek navy suit, her shoulders squared despite the flashes from every direction.
“I want to make one thing clear,” Adrian began, his voice cool and authoritative, “Victor Carter’s claims are not only false—they are a calculated distraction from his own crimes.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Claire stepped forward. “We are in possession of a sworn statement from a former Carter Industries insider. This individual has provided irrefutable evidence of money laundering, racketeering, and arson—all orchestrated by Victor Carter.”
Adrian raised a folder and held it up. “This statement, and all supporting documents, have been submitted to the federal authorities. And if necessary, we will present them in open court.”
A murmur spread like wildfire.
Claire didn’t flinch. “This isn’t about revenge. This is about justice.”
The questions came fast and frantic, but Adrian and Claire didn’t stay. They turned, walked off the stage, and let the chaos erupt behind them.
Retaliation
That night, the retaliation came.
A bombshell article was published by one of the tabloids Victor controlled. It accused Claire of forging documents during her marriage contract with Adrian—claiming she only married him to secure stock options and access to insider information. Accompanying the article was a fabricated “source” close to Claire, describing her as a manipulative gold digger.
Claire stared at the screen in disbelief, bile rising in her throat.
“He’s trying to smear me,” she whispered. “Undermine everything I’ve worked for.”
Adrian’s jaw was tight. “It won’t hold. We’ll sue them for defamation.”
“But damage like this doesn’t need proof,” she said bitterly. “All it takes is one lie dressed in designer clothes.”
Adrian crossed to her, gently tilting her chin so she met his gaze. “Then we show them the truth.”
Her lip trembled. “He’s coming at me because he knows you care.”
“I do,” he said softly. “And that’s exactly why he’s going to lose.”
The Threat Escalates
Two days later, Daniel stormed into the office holding an envelope.
“This was delivered to security,” he said grimly, handing it to Adrian.
Inside was a photo.
A picture of Claire.
It had been taken that morning—at the coffee shop down the street. She hadn’t even known anyone was watching. On the back, in jagged, typed letters, were the words:
“She walks alone. Next time, she won’t.”
Claire went cold. Her heart hammered against her ribs as Adrian crushed the photo in his fist.
“That’s it,” he snapped. “You’re not going anywhere without protection. Not even to the mailbox.”
She started to protest, but the look on his face stopped her. There was a fury there—dark and unfiltered—that she’d only seen once before, years ago when a business rival had threatened his family.
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said. “To keep you safe.”
A Moment of Weakness
That night, after the security team was stationed around the building and the alarms double-checked, Claire sat on the couch in the master suite, staring into the fireplace. The flames flickered like memories she couldn’t control—memories of Liam, Ava, prison, and now Victor.
Adrian entered quietly and handed her a glass of wine. “You haven’t eaten.”
She took it but didn’t sip. “I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I wonder who’s watching.”
He sat beside her. “We’ll end this. Soon.”
Claire turned to him, her eyes filled with something deeper than fear—exhaustion. “What if we can’t? What if Victor tears us apart the way he always wanted?”
Adrian reached out, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Then we fight harder. You didn’t survive all of that to fold now, Claire.”
Tears welled in her eyes, unspilled.
“I’m so tired, Adrian,” she whispered. “So tired of being strong.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “Then let me be strong for both of us tonight.”
Victor’s Next Move
The next morning, Claire woke to find Adrian already gone. A note lay on her pillow in his distinct handwriting:
I’m meeting with the Attorney General today. If we time this right, we’ll bring Victor down before he can even file. I’ve assigned two guards to you. Stay inside. I’ll be back.
The weight of his absence was immediate. The penthouse felt larger without him—quieter, colder.
But Claire knew what she had to do.
She dressed quickly, ignoring the security team’s confused looks as she stepped into the study and locked the door behind her. She sat at Adrian’s desk and opened her laptop.
There was one reporter she hadn’t contacted yet.
Her old friend and classmate, Jessica Lang.
Jessica was fearless, ethical, and independent—everything Victor couldn’t control.
Claire dialed.
“Jess. I need to meet. Today. And bring a camera.”