Chapter 69 Chase's investigation completed
Alexander.
"The Chase Brussel investigation is complete, sir."
I looked up immediately, I had been staring at the financial projections for the new oil pipeline for twenty minutes without actually seeing the numbers, because my mind kept drifting to Dandelion, to the forced vacation Noona was planning, to the way my chest tightened every time I thought about spending a whole week alone with her, when Walter's knock on my study door pulled me from my thoughts.
He was carrying a thick manila folder. His expression was seroiin a way that immediately put me on alert.
I straightened in my chair, every muscle in my body going tense, I never forgot about the background check I had ordered him to check weeks ago.
"Show me."
Walter placed the folder on my desk and stepped back. I opened it, and the first thing I saw was Chase Brussel's smug face staring back at me from a professional headshot. The urge to put my fist through the photo was almost overwhelming.
"He did the same thing to Seven women," Walter said quietly. "Seven actresses that can testify against him. There might even be more who are too afraid to come forward."
I flipped through the pages with a clenched jaw. Testimonies after testimonies, each one more damaging than the last. That bastard's pattern was consistent: he would have romance with them, gain their trust, secretly photograph or film them in unaware situations, then use it as blackmail when they tried to leave.
"This one," Walter pointed to a particular lady's testimony, "she attempted suicide after Chase threatened to release her videos. And She was only nineteen."
My jaw clenched so hard I could feel my gums hurt.
"What of his financial records?" I asked,in a deadly voice.
"He profited significantly from them. Some women paid him directly for his silence. Others got him producing credits on their films, or helped him secure deals with studios. He built his entire career on blackmail and coercion."
I continued reading the file, my anger building with each page. The testimonies were detailed and heartbreaking. Women describing how Chase had destroyed their sense of safety, their careers, their mental health.
And Dandelion had been his latest victim.
"The evidence is substantial," Walter continued. "Multiple witnesses, financial trails, even some of the original photos and videos he used for blackmail. Several victims kept everything, waiting for a chance to take him down."
"But they were too afraid," I said flatly.
"Until now. When my investigators approached them and explained that someone with resources was willing to fight Chase, they all agreed to cooperate. They're tired of living in fear."
I closed the folder and looked up at Walter. "Contact Lucas Dale."
Walter's eyebrows rose slightly. "The investigative journalist?"
"Yes, he owes me a favor." I stood and walked to the window overlooking the garden. "Tell him I have the story of the year. A pattern of abuse in the entertainment industry spanning nearly a decade. Multiple victims ready to testify."
"But he'll want to verify everything." Walter said with uncertainty.
"Let him verify if he wants. The evidence is solid after all." I turned back to face Walter. "I want this to be flawless. There should be No room for Chase's lawyers to wiggle out. I want him destroyed so completely that he'll never work in this industry again."
"What about the press release?"
"Draft something for Graham Corp's PR team. We're taking a stance against workplace abuse and supporting survivors. Make it clear that any business associates of Chase Brussel are no longer welcome in dealings with Graham Corp or any of our subsidiary companies."
Walter immediately made notes on his tablet. "This will definitely send shockwaves through the industry."
"It's good." I picked up Chase's photo again, studying his arrogant smile. "People like him thrive in silence. So we're going to make a lot of noise."
"Should we inform Mrs. Graham about this?" Walter asked.
I hesitated. Dandelion deserved to know that her abuser was finally going to be punished. But I also didn't want to give her false hope in case if something went wrong.
"No, not yet. Wait until Lucas confirms he's taking the story. I don't want to get her hopes up if this doesn't fall through." I muttered.
"Understood. I'll contact Lucas today and have the PR draft ready by tomorrow morning."
Walter left, and I returned to my desk, opening the folder again. This time, I focused on the testimonies. Each woman's story was slightly different, but the trauma was the same. The fear, the shame, the feeling of being powerless.
The feeling Dandelion must have experienced when Chase leaked her photos.
My hands curled into fists on top of the folder.
I had promised to help her get revenge. But this wasn't just about keeping my word anymore.
It's personal now.
Chase Brussel had hurt someone he shouldn't have.
And he's going to pay dearly for it.
Dandelion.
I found Alexander in his study, sitting at his desk. But he wasn't working. He was just staring at something on his desk with an expression I had never seen before.
It was cold. Deadly and absolutely terrifying.
"Alex?"
He didn't respond. He didn't even seem to hear me.
I moved closer and saw what he was looking at. It's a photograph of Chase. My stomach immediately twisted into knots.
"Alexander?" I tried again, my voice softer.
This time he looked up, and the intensity in his green eyes made me take an involuntary step back. This wasn't the controlled businessman I had gotten used to. This was someone else entirely.
Someone dangerous.
"What are you planning?" I asked, though part of me wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm keeping my promise Dandy."
"What promise?"
"That Chase would never hurt you again. Or anyone else."
I sank into the chair across from his desk, my legs were suddenly unsteady. "What did you find out?"
"Everything." He closed the folder with Chase's picture in it.
"Really? Is that the evidence? Let me see it."My hands shook as I reached for the folder, but Alex suddenly moved it away before I could touch it.
"You don't need to see it," he said quietly. "Trust me, you don't want those images in your head."
"But I should know--"
"You should know that you weren't alone. That it wasn't your fault. That Chase Brussel is a predator who systematically targeted vulnerable women." His voice was gentle now, but underneath I could still hear that cold rage. "And you should know that I'm going to make sure he never does this again."
I stared at him in surprise, trying to process what he was saying. So chase did the same to order women?
"How will you stop him?"I asked with worry.
"You'll find out soon, but not now"
"Then when?" I insisted.
"I told you I would help you get revenge Dandy. I meant it, and this is more than revenge now, This is justice."He said reassuringly.
I exhaled, I felt like half my burden had been lifted. Finally I would watch Chase pay for what he did to me, and apparently other women too.
That bastard would finally reap his wickedness.
"Thank you Alex," I said simply.
"Don't thank me yet. It hasn't begun yet"
"I don't care. I know you'll keep to your word."
Something flickered in his eyes.
He studied my face for a long moment before speaking. "When the story breaks, Chase will retaliate. He'll try to discredit the victims, probably target you specifically since you're connected to me now."
Of course he will, he's a big liar and manipulator.
"Don't worry, I can handle it."I muttered, more like reassuring myself.
"Are you sure?" He asked genuinely, "The media attention will be intense. Your name will be dragged back into the spotlight."
I thought about it, about facing the cameras and the questions and the judgment all over again. A few months ago, the thought would have paralyzed me with fear.
But I had already survived my lowest point. I'm climbing back up. But this time, I wouldn't be facing it alone.
"Yes," I said with certainty. "I can handle it. Especially if it means other women won't have to go through what I did."
Pride flashed across Alexander's face. "You're stronger than you think Dandy."
My lips twitched in something that might have been a smile. "Maybe."
We stayed silent for a moment.
"Alex?"
"Yes?"
"Don't hold back. With Chase, I mean." I met his eyes. "Whatever it takes to stop him, do it."
The deadly look returned to his face, but this time it didn't scare me. Instead It made me feel protected.
"I won't hold back," he promised. "Chase Brussel is finished. He just doesn't know it yet."
I nodded in reassurance.
The folder of evidence sitting between us like a bomb waiting to go off. And when it does, Chase's world would be destroyed.
And somehow, knowing that Alexander had orchestrated it all made me feel....safer than I had n months.
I felt like he wasn't just helping me out of obligation or to fulfill our contract anymore.
He was protecting me because he wanted to.
And that changes everything.