Chapter 69
Third Person POV
What Grace didn't know was that while she found peace in Alex's arms, Alex had already taken action that afternoon. The moment he saw that malicious article slandering her, he made a call to his legal team. Though he was a step too late—Grace had already controlled the situation—this didn't make Alex give up. He began sending people to investigate the mastermind behind it all. To make them pay the price.
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Richard's POV
The frantic buzzing of phones shattered the silence.
Laura grabbed her phone to check. I stirred beside her as my own device lit up with notification after notification.
"What the hell..." I grabbed my phone, squinting at the screen. Fifteen missed calls from my lawyer's assistant. Twenty-three text messages. My email showed 47 unread messages.
Laura's face went white as she scrolled through her own notifications.
"Richard." Her voice was barely a whisper. "Look at this."
The alumni group chat was going insane.
The top trending topic: "Most Beautiful Alumni Maliciously Slanders Former Roommate."
The pinned post was an audio recording. Crystal clear. Damning evidence.
"That gold-digging woman doesn't deserve Richard at all... you must let everyone see her hypocritical true face."
Laura's own voice, dripping with venom and calculation.
Below the recording were screenshots of bank transfers: Transfer to Kevin Martinez: $100,000. Note: Consultation fee.
Laura read comment after comment, her hands trembling. "Richard, what should I do?"
I sat up immediately, controlled anger on my face. "How did this leak?"
"How should I know? You promised you'd handle it, but now..." Laura exited the alumni group chat, but new messages flooded in faster than she could leave. "I don't understand how this could—"
The phone rang again. My lawyer.
"Sir, I'm sorry to call so late, but we have a situation. Kevin Martinez was arrested three hours ago. He's confessing. Everything's exposed."
I closed my eyes as my head began to throb again. "How bad?"
"The recording was released as part of the evidence disclosure by police. Every major news outlet has picked it up. Sir... this will be front page tomorrow."
I hung up and looked at Laura. She was curled in a ball, sobbing into her knees.
"Now you're scared?" The words came out colder than I intended. "Where was this fear when you were plotting to destroy Grace's life?"
"Richard, please—"
"Do you know what you've done?" I stood and paced to the window. "This isn't just about you anymore. This affects my company. This affects everything I've worked for."
Laura's sobs grew louder. "I was trying to protect our family!"
I turned to face her. "By hiring someone to spread lies and forge photos?"
"You have to protect me!" She scrambled off the bed, grabbing my arm. "If I'm prosecuted, if I go to prison, then our secret marriage will be exposed! Emma's true identity will be revealed! Your business empire, your family's reputation—everything will be ruined!"
Damn it.
I ran my hands through my hair, calculating quickly.
"Pack a bag," I finally said.
"What?"
"You're leaving the country. Tonight."
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Laura's POV
"Richard, you can't be serious." I watched him pull out his laptop, already searching for flights. "I can't just disappear. What about Emma?"
"She needs her mother not to be in prison." Richard's voice was sharp. "Look, I can probably get you a plea deal—probation, parole. But only if Harrison family lawyers represent you, and obviously grandmother and father won't agree to that."
I grabbed his hands desperately. "Promise me this is temporary. Promise me I can come back."
"I promise." He cupped my face gently. "I'll handle everything here, and when the heat dies down, we'll bring you back."
"How long?" I whispered.
"A few months. Maybe longer." He pulled me close. "I know it's hard, but this is the only way to protect our family."
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4:30 AM - Starport International Airport
Richard bought me a ticket to Valheria—short-term stays didn't require a visa. I clutched my passport and the small bag of essentials he'd helped me pack.
"What if I can't come back?" The question had haunted me the entire drive to the airport. "What if this ruins everything permanently?"
"It won't." Richard's voice was firm, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes.
Richard was quiet for a moment. Then he took my hand.
"After I handle this, I'll come to Valheria to find you," his voice softened.
He held me tightly, making promises like he had countless times before.
But this time, I had doubts.
"Richard, are you so eager to send me away because... you're just afraid Grace will find out about our real relationship?"
This question made Richard panic instantly. "What are you talking about!" He whirled to face her, brow furrowed. "You are my wife. Grace and I have nothing more than a relationship of mutual use at best. You know this better than anyone, and everything I'm doing now is to protect us."
"Is it?"
Richard caressed my face. "Promise me, no more schemes. You just need to stay quiet and protect yourself, and wait for me."
I went through security, looking back to see him watching me. He raised his hand in a small farewell gesture.
After he turned and left, I also walked back. I wouldn't board this flight.
I changed into spare clothes—jeans, hoodie, baseball cap and sunglasses. I slipped out through a different terminal exit and took a taxi to the safe house I'd rented months ago under a fake name.