Chapter 14: Public target

By the time Lucian’s car reached the estate gates, the chaos was already visible from half a mile away.

News vans.

Flashing cameras.

Reporters shouting over one another.

The gates were surrounded.

Elena stood just inside the courtyard, security forming a barrier between her and the media storm.

But they were shouting her name.

“Is the baby the CEO’s?”

“Did you fake the divorce?”

“Are you using the pregnancy for control?”

Cruel. Loud. Relentless.

Lucian stepped out of the car before it fully stopped.

“Elena!”

She turned at the sound of his voice.

He saw it immediately — the way she was holding herself together by force.

Her chin lifted.

Her shoulders straight.

But her hands were shaking.

He crossed the distance quickly and positioned himself in front of her, blocking the cameras.

“Inside,” he said quietly.

She shook her head.

“They won’t stop.”

“I don’t care.”

“They’ll follow the story forever if we hide.”

Her voice was steadier than he expected.

Lucian looked at the reporters again.

Adrian’s words echoed in his head.

You created chaos.

No.

Adrian had.

Lucian turned to the head of security.

“Clear a path.”

The gates opened just enough for him to step forward alone.

The shouting intensified instantly.

“Mr. Moretti!”

“Is the pregnancy real?”

“Is your father contesting inheritance rights?”

Lucian didn’t hesitate.

He faced them directly.

“Yes.”

The noise faltered.

“Yes,” he repeated clearly. “The child is mine.”

Cameras flashed wildly.

“And yes,” he continued, “the divorce was influenced by falsified information.”

The crowd erupted.

“Are you accusing someone specific?”

Lucian’s eyes hardened.

“I am conducting a formal investigation into internal corruption within Moretti Holdings.”

He let that sink in.

“This harassment of a pregnant woman ends today.”

Behind him, Elena felt something shift.

This wasn’t the cold man who had signed divorce papers without hesitation.

This was someone fighting.

For her.

“For clarity,” Lucian finished, “any further attempt to intimidate or defame Elena Rossi will be met with legal action.”

He turned and walked back inside without taking more questions.

The gates shut firmly.

Silence returned — but only inside.

Outside, the media frenzy multiplied.

Elena stared at him once they were alone.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did.”

She searched his face.

“You just declared war publicly.”

His expression didn’t change.

“It was already declared.”

Her composure cracked slightly.

“They called the baby leverage.”

Lucian stepped closer.

“It’s not.”

“But that’s how they see it.”

His voice lowered.

“I don’t.”

The air between them softened — but only briefly.

His phone rang.

He didn’t need to check to know who it was.

Vittorio.

He answered.

“You’re reckless,” his father’s voice came sharply through the line.

“You’re exposed,” Lucian replied.

“You’ve destabilized the company.”

“You destabilized my marriage.”

A cold pause.

Then Vittorio spoke quietly.

“You think Adrian is acting alone?”

Lucian went still.

“Careful,” Vittorio added. “You’re chasing the wrong enemy.”

The line disconnected.

Lucian stared at the phone.

Elena noticed the change in his face.

“What is it?”

He looked at her slowly.

“My father didn’t deny Adrian.”

“So?”

“So that means he’s afraid of him.”

A chill ran through her.

Lucian turned toward the security chief.

“Pull every financial link connected to Adrian Vale. Shell companies, investors, offshore transfers. I want everything.”

“Yes, sir.”

As the orders were given, Elena stepped closer.

“Lucian… if this gets worse—”

“It will,” he said honestly.

Her heart tightened.

“Then maybe I should leave.”

The word hit him harder than any threat.

“No.”

“If I’m the target—”

“You’re not the target,” he cut in.

“I’m the pressure point,” she corrected softly.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Because she was right.

Adrian wasn’t attacking randomly.

He was destabilizing Lucian through her.

Lucian stepped closer until there was barely space between them.

“If you leave,” he said quietly, “that’s exactly what he wants.”

“And if I stay?”

“Then he learns I don’t break.”

Their eyes locked.

For a moment, the world outside didn’t exist.

Then a guard rushed inside.

“Sir.”

Lucian turned.

“What now?”

The guard swallowed.

“Regulators just arrived at headquarters with a warrant.”

Lucian’s expression darkened.

“For what?”

“Financial misconduct tied to executive leadership.”

Elena felt her stomach drop.

“This is coordinated.”

“Yes,” Lucian said coldly.

He pulled out his phone.

A message waited from Adrian.

Pressure reveals weakness. Let’s see how much you can handle.

Lucian looked up slowly.

“This isn’t about shares anymore,” he said.

“It’s about dismantling everything.”

Elena stepped closer, fear creeping back in.

“Lucian… what if he wins?”

His gaze turned to her.

Then to her stomach.

Then back to her.

“He won’t.”

But for the first time—

He wasn’t entirely certain.