Chapter 3

There was no deeper reason behind my words. I just wanted to see if Victoria could still demand an apology from me without my family's financial support.

As for the online rumors, I didn't bother directly addressing them. Instead, I simply paid to have the trending topic removed.

The reason behind this was simple. I wanted to see if there was someone pulling the strings behind these rumors.

By the time morning came, that trending topic was back at the top of the headlines.

That was when I knew. Someone was deliberately trying to bring me down.

Once I had my target, everything else fell into place.

It was right then that my phone began buzzing non-stop with messages from Julian.

During the seven days I'd been away, he'd sent me countless photos of himself with Victoria, along with his messages.

[Zachary, do you really think Vicky loves you? The only person she cares about is me.]

Among the dozens of photos, one stood out, sharp and painful. It was of Victoria and Julian embracing on a mountaintop, the sunset casting a golden glow over them.

My heart clenched.

Victoria had once told me she didn't like outdoor activities, but here she was, climbing the city's tallest mountain with Julian.

For a brief moment, I felt a sting. But more than that, I just thought how foolish Julian was.

All the public opinion that had been focused on me was now turning in another direction.

I wasn't bothered by using Julian as a shield, whether or not he was the one behind all of this.

I took those photos, along with the screenshots he'd sent, and sent them to a few marketing accounts I'd bribed.

In just two hours, the narrative completely flipped.

Even though Julian had spent a fortune to push his own trending topic, he couldn't compete with the proof I held in my hands.

Once that was done, my phone exploded with his messages, crude and filthy insults flooding my screen.

Victoria also called me more times than I could count. It was probably more than we'd spoken in the entire three years we were together. The irony wasn't lost on me.

I pretended I didn't see any of it. After a few days at home to clear my head, I got back in the car and headed to the office.

Just as I parked, someone suddenly rushed toward me from a distance.

My instincts kicked in, and I tried to retreat back into the car.

But it was too late, and she was too fast.

The woman came straight at me, a knife gleaming coldly in her hand.

Pain exploded in my abdomen as the blade pierced deep. For a moment, everything went blurry, and I could barely stay conscious.

With what little strength I had left, I grabbed her, refusing to let go. Even if I died, I wasn't going to let her escape.

In the haze of my vision, I could hear her speaking into the phone.

"Julian, don't worry. I've taken care of this bastard. No one will ever hurt you again."