Bella and her siblings sat frozen, their eyes glued to the television.
The news headline blazed across the screen: "Christabella Walter Cleared of Allegations."
Clips rolled of passengers and colleagues giving glowing testimonies.
"She was professional, kind, and calm under pressure," one passenger said.
Another added, "Bella made sure everyone was safe. She deserves recognition, not harassment."
Several colleagues were interviewed as well, praising her work ethic. Then came the revelation that shocked Bella the most:
"Most of her fellow attendants bullied her," one woman confessed.
"I once heard another attendant tell Bella she was hated by Jesus because her face was filled with broken commandments," said an interviewer named Tacha.
Bella's chest tightened. Her throat stung. She had never expected such vindication and certainly not in front of her family. Tears pricked her eyes as more clips rolled.
"I was on board the day those pictures of her and that man were taken," another voice explained. "She had bruises all over her body. It was obvious she was the victim, not the cause of scandal."
Raquel's hand tightened around Bella's. "See, sis? The truth always comes out."
At Hampson International
Chris was deep in a call with a major client when Elliot burst in, signaling urgency. Chris excused himself and took the tablet Elliot handed him.
The news was playing. Chris's lips curved slowly into a smile. Finally.
He immediately dialed Bella.
"Hello, girlfriend," he greeted warmly.
"Hi, boyfriend." Bella's voice was bright, her smile audible through the phone.
"Have you seen the news?"
"Yes!" Bella laughed softly, still overwhelmed. "I never knew it was possible to change a narrative in less than twenty-four hours. All thanks to the great Christian Hampson."
"I had nothing to do with it."
Bella blinked, stunned. "You're joking, right?"
"No, love. This is all you. Your competence spoke for itself. You're an incredible asset to this company." His voice softened with pride.
"Wow," she whispered.
"But you have to be careful, Bella. Scandals like this—well, I've learned to live with them, but you haven't. I don't ever want you crushed by the weight of it."
"I understand." She smiled faintly, touched.
"Where are you right now?" he asked.
"I'm home, getting ready for a check-up. Mum promised to go with me when she gets back."
In the background, Chris heard a squeal.
"Hi, Chris!" Raquel shouted.
"Hello," Chris replied, slightly startled.
"Hope you're good?" she chirped.
"Yes, Catty. I'm fine. How's school?"
"I'm fine, but we're on holidays and I've got no friends." She pouted.
Chris chuckled. "Would you like me to be your friend? I don't have friends either. I just talk to a lot of people."
Raquel's face lit up. "Sure, let's be friends!"
"How old are you?" Chris asked.
"I'm turning sixteen next month. And you?"
"Twenty-nine. Next October."
Her eyes sparkled. "Will you come to my dad's wedding?"
"Of course, if I get an invite."
"You will. Even if I have to deliver it to your office myself, billionaire friend."
Chris laughed. "I'll look forward to it then."
Elliot appeared at the door. "Sir, Mr. Remires has arrived."
Chris nodded. "I'll be there shortly." He turned back to the phone. "Raquel, can you hand the phone back to Christal?"
"Sure," Raquel said, passing it to Bella.
"Hey, babe," Bella said softly.
Chris exhaled contentedly. "I love the sound of that."
"The sound of what?"
"'Babe.'" He grinned. "But I have to run now. Meeting calls. I'll call you later?"
"Okay. Take care of yourself."
"You too, babe. I love you."
The words slipped out easily for him.
Bella's reply slipped out even easier. "I love you too."
Her eyes widened instantly. Had she really just said that?
Chris froze, stunned. "Can you... say that again?"
But Bella panicked. "Bye, Chris." She hung up abruptly, pressing her hand to her chest as her heart raced.
Chris was still smiling when he stepped into the hallway, but his expression hardened when someone bumped into him.
"Watch where you're going, woman," he snapped.
"Hi, Chris."
That voice. That lipstick. Chris's jaw tightened.
"Thelma."
Her red lips curled into a smile. "I couldn't hold my meeting with you the other day, so I came back."
"You can speak to Mr. Elliot Jones," Chris said coldly, turning to leave.
Thelma grabbed his arm. "I came on my father's instruction. He asked me to talk to you personally. Is this how you treat customers?"
"I'll reschedule through Mr. Jones."
"I'd prefer you reach out to me yourself." She fluttered her lashes, deliberately bold.
Chris's patience thinned. "Fine. I'll let you know when we reschedule. Excuse me, Miss...?"
"Frederick," she supplied with a smug smile.
"Miss Frederick." His tone dripped with disdain. "I'll be in touch."
Without another glance, Chris stalked into the boardroom.
The quarterly meeting began. Budgets, achievements, targets for the coming year. Chris listened carefully, pleased with the company's steady growth. At the end, he congratulated his staff and announced plans for the annual end-of-year party. Awards would be given to outstanding employees, nominated by their peers.
Afterward, Chris pulled Elliot aside.
"Set up a meeting with all the cabin crew. And get me the CCTV footage of Tracy and Ria. Every second."
"Yes, sir."
Elliot wasted no time. At the airport, he requested all surveillance footage of Bella since the start of her employment. Hours later, his jaw clenched in fury as he watched the recordings.
The evidence was undeniable. Bella had been mocked, cornered, and sneered at repeatedly. Tracy, in particular, was vicious. Ria, always at her side.
And it wasn't just Bella. Others had suffered too. But Bella had been the first she'd dared to get physical with.
By the end of the footage, Elliot's face was red with anger.
"I'm ashamed to be called a colleague of such animals," he muttered.
"So am I," said the man in charge of security.
Together, they began compiling the footage for Chris.