That was impressive.Selena clapped for him. But don't do something like that without my say so, ever again.
Well…I'll soon be the CEO of Vault corporation and I need to learn how to make hefty decisions on my own.Adrian replied as he stood up from his chair.
Back at his office, they stayed up all night strategizing his plans and speech in the upcoming board meeting.
By 4a.m, Selena left him to run business errands for the company and Adrian spent the morning in his office going through financial reports that Selena had left for him. By seven a.m, his phone started buzzing nonstop, he tried to ignore it but then his patience snapped. He picked up the phone and saw that it was a text from an unknown number. His mind fearfully went to his mysterious cousin that's been making threats.
Each text came with a link.
He clicked the first link and his stomach dropped.
The video showed Maya standing outside Vault Corporation headquarters with tears streaming down her face. A news crew surrounded her with cameras pointed at her like she was some kind of victim.
"Adrian Vale used me,"Maya said between sobs. "When he was nobody he promised me everything. Then the moment he found out he was rich he threw me away like garbage."
The reporter leaned in closer. "That must have been devastating."
"It was,"Maya wiped her eyes. "But that's not even the worst part. I'm pregnant with his child and he won't even return my calls."
Adrian's hand tightened around his phone so hard the screen cracked slightly.
The reporter gasped dramatically. "He abandoned you while you're carrying his baby?"
"Yes,"Maya nodded while crying harder. "I just want him to do the right thing. I don't care about his money. I just want him to be there for our child."
The video ended with Maya breaking down completely while the reporter comforted her.
Adrian sat there staring at his phone in complete shock. The video already had fifty thousand views and it had only been posted twenty minutes ago.
His office door opened without a knock. Selena walked in holding her tablet with an expression that could freeze fire.
"I assume you've seen it,"she said.
"Just now."Adrian's voice came out flat. "It's a lie."
"I know."Selena sat down across from him. "But we need to confirm that. Is there any possibility she's pregnant?"
"No."Adrian met her eyes. "We haven't slept together in four months or maybe longer."
Selena nodded once like that was all she needed to hear. "Then I'll handle it."
"How?"
"Leave that to me."Selena stood and headed for the door. "Don't respond to any calls or messages about this. Don't make any statements. Just keep working on your board presentation."
"Selena, wait."Adrian stood up. "What are you going to do?"
She paused at the door. "Whatever it takes to protect you."
Then she was gone.
Adrian tried to focus on the financial reports but his phone kept buzzing. The video was spreading faster than he could track. Comments poured in calling him names of how irresponsible he was and how he couldn't handle Vault corporation.
User1: Rich people are all the same. Use you then throw you away.
User2: That poor girl. She deserves better.
User3: Someone needs to hold Adrian Vale accountable.
Adrian turned his phone off and threw it in a drawer just as Sinclair knocked on his door.
Come in,he grunted.
Adrian could tell from his expression that it was bad news. "Your ten o'clock meeting with Mr. Laurent has been moved to tomorrow. He saw the video and wants to wait until things settle down."
Adrian's chest tightened. "The deal is falling apart because of this?"
"Not falling apart,"James said carefully. "Just delayed. Mr. Laurent wants to make sure he's not associating his business with a scandal."
"It's not a scandal. It's a lie."
"I know."James's expression softened. "But the public doesn't know that yet. Give Selena time to work."
Adrian spent the rest of the day locked in his office trying to focus on anything except the video. By evening it had over two million views. News outlets were picking it up and social media was on fire.
His desk phone rang. He answered without thinking.
"Adrian Vale?"An unfamiliar voice asked.
"Yes."
"This is Channel 7 News. We'd like to get your statement on the pregnancy allegations."
Adrian hung up immediately.
The phone rang again but it was a different number with the same question.
He unplugged the phone from the wall.
His personal phone buzzed from inside the drawer where he'd thrown it. He pulled it out and saw a text from Selena.
**Selena:** Turn on the news. Channel 4.
Adrian found the remote and turned on the TV mounted on his office wall. He switched to Channel 4.
The same reporter from earlier sat at a news desk looking shocked. "We have breaking news regarding the Adrian Vale pregnancy scandal. A video has just surfaced that shows Maya Richardson in a very different light."
The screen switched to a security footage which was back and white but grainy enough for someone to see. It showed the interior of Club Geno where Adrian used to work. The timestamp in the corner showed dates going back six months.
Maya appeared on screen walking into the club. She met someone near the bar. Damon.
They kissed.
The footage jumped to another date but It was the same location with Maya and Damon again. This time they were arguing about something. Maya threw a drink in his face before storming out.
The reporter's voice came back. "The footage shows that Ms. Richardson was in a relationship with Damon Frederick while simultaneously dating Adrian Vale. But that's not all."
The screen switched to what looked like medical records. Parts were blacked out for privacy but enough was visible to make the point clear.
Patient Name: Maya Richardson
Procedure: Pregnancy termination
Date:Two months ago
The reporter looked directly at the camera. "These medical records obtained by an anonymous source show that Ms. Richardson terminated a pregnancy two months ago. This directly contradicts her claims of currently being pregnant with Adrian Vale's child."
Adrian sat down slowly.
The reporter continued. "Ms. Richardson's social media accounts have been flooded with responses to this new information. She has since deleted all her accounts and could not be reached for comment."
The news segment ended and switched to weather.
Adrian just sat there staring at the screen.
His office door opened. Selena walked in looking satisfied.
"How did you get all of that?"Adrian asked quietly.
Selena sat down across from him. "The security footage was easy. I've had access to Club Geno's systems since the first week I started watching you. The medical records took more work but I have connections in most of the hospitals in the city."
"That was fast."
"I've been preparing for something like this since before you knew you were a Vale,"Selena said. "I told you I've been watching you for three weeks, that meant watching everyone around you too. Maya, Damon, The Frederick family, Your coworkers. Everyone."
Adrians mouth fell open. "You've been gathering dirt on people in my life just in case?"
"Yes."Selena didn't look apologetic. "That's my job, to protect you from threats before they become dangerous."
"Maya wasn't dangerous. She was just my girlfriend."
"She was a liability,"Selena corrected. "And now she's handled."
Adrian thought about Maya's face in that first video. Part of him felt bad for her even after everything she did.
"What happens to her now?"he asked.
"That depends on her,"Selena said. "If she's smart she'll disappear and rebuild her life somewhere else. If she's stupid she'll try to come after you again and I'll make sure she regrets it."
Adrian's phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw messages flooding in. They were apologies from people who called him names minutes ago.
"Public opinion is a funny thing,"Selena said while watching him scroll through the messages. "It can destroy you in minutes and rebuild you just as fast."
Qe"This feels wrong,"Adrian said. "Destroying her like this."
"She tried to destroy you first,"Selena pointed out. "I just made sure she failed."
Adrian put his phone down. "I don't want to become someone who ruins people's lives."
"Then don't,"Selena said simply. "But understand that in this world there are people who will try to ruin yours. When that happens you have two choices. Let them win or fight back. I chose to fight back. If that bothers you then fire me."
She stood and walked to the door.
"Selena."
She turned back.
"Thank you,"Adrian said. "I mean it."
Her expression softened slightly. "You're welcome. Now get back to work. That board presentation isn't going to write itself."
The board presentation was in two days and he needed to be ready.