chapter 30

The Scandal.....

The problem with wealthy people was that they were bored.

And bored people loved gossip.

Especially when the gossip involved billionaires, divorce, hidden marriages, and a pregnancy.

Judith had learned that the hard way.

The morning started normally.

Which should have been her first warning.

Nothing stayed normal for long anymore.

She had just finished breakfast when Ava burst into the dining room carrying her phone.

Her expression alone was enough to make everyone look up.

"Tell me someone is getting sued today."

Julian immediately sat up.

"What happened?"

Ava placed her phone on the table.

No one spoke for several seconds.

Then Richard sighed heavily.

"Ah."

That was never a good sign.

Judith picked up the phone.

The headline made her stomach drop.

LIAM SMITH AND SOPHIE BENNETT SPOTTED TOGETHER AT PRIVATE RESORT. RECONCILIATION AFTER DIVORCE?

Below the headline were photographs.

Several photographs.

Liam and Sophie arriving at the same luxury resort.

Liam and Sophie walking through a lobby.

Liam and Sophie entering a private dining area.

The article itself was even worse.

According to the writer, Liam and Sophie had been secretly involved for years.

According to the writer, Judith's divorce had cleared the path for their relationship.

According to the writer, marriage was likely.

Judith handed the phone back.

Her expression remained calm.

Too calm.

Ava noticed immediately.

Julian noticed too.

Neither liked it.

"That's nonsense."

Julian's voice was cold.

"Obviously."

Ava folded her arms.

"Then why do you look upset?"

Judith looked away.

Toward the garden outside.

Because despite everything, the article hurt.

Not because she believed it.

She didn't.

Not really, she didn't even know what she believed right now.

The problem was that for years she had believed it.

For years she had watched people treat Sophie like Liam's future wife.

For years she had heard whispers.

Rumors.

Speculation.

Assumptions.

And even though she knew better now, old wounds had a way of reopening.

Across the city, Liam was having a significantly worse morning.

His assistant entered his office looking terrified.

That alone was concerning.

Very concerning.

"Sir."

"What?"

The assistant swallowed.

Then handed over a tablet.

Liam read the headline.

His expression darkened immediately.

"What is this?"

The question was dangerously calm.

The assistant wisely remained silent.

Liam continued reading.

Every sentence made him angrier.

Every photograph made things worse.

Because technically none of the photos were fake.

Two weeks ago, he had attended a charity auction.

Sophie had been there.

The photographs came from that event.

Someone had simply rearranged the timeline.

Removed context and created a story.

A story that now dominated every major entertainment platform in the country.

"Find out who published this."

The assistant nodded immediately.

"And issue a statement?"

Liam stood.

"No."

His expression hardened.

"I'll handle it myself."

Two hours later, the entire country was talking.

Television stations, news websites, social media.

Everyone had an opinion.

Everyone had a theory.

But everyone was wrong.

The worst part wasn't the damage to Liam's reputation.

Or Sophie's.

Or even Judith's.

The worst part was the pregnancy.

Because now reporters had become even more interested.

More aggressive.

By afternoon, several photographers were stationed outside Lux Group headquarters.

Others waited outside the Lux estate.

A few even appeared outside Judith's favorite café.

Julian was seconds away from committing multiple crimes.

"I'm serious."

He paced across Judith's office.

"I'll buy the media company and shut it down."

Ava looked impressed.

"You actually could."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

Judith couldn't help laughing.

A small laugh.

But enough to ease the tension.

Then her phone rang.

The room immediately became quiet.

Liam.....

For a second, she considered ignoring it.

Then answered.

"Hello."

"Lunch."

Judith blinked.

"What?"

"Lunch."

She frowned.

"What about lunch?"

"I'm taking you to lunch."

His tone was firm.

Almost annoyed.

Judith was confused.

"Why?"

There was a brief pause.

Then Liam answered.

"Because apparently the entire country thinks I'm dating Sophie."

For the first time that day, Judith laughed.

Actually laughed.

The sound surprised both of them.

"You're finding this funny?"

Liam sounded offended.

"A little."

"Judith."

"Sorry."

She wasn't sorry.

Not even slightly.

Liam sighed.

Then his voice softened.

"Are you okay?"

The question caught her off guard.

Because beneath the frustration...

Beneath the scandal...

Beneath the headlines...

That was what he was really asking.

Not about the article.

But about her.

Judith looked down at her hand resting on her stomach.

"I'm okay."

Liam was silent for a moment.

Then said quietly,

"Good."

Another pause followed.

Then Liam spoke again.

More seriously this time.

"Judith."

"What?"

"There was never anything between Sophie and me."

The statement was simple, direct and unequivocal.

Judith closed her eyes briefly.

Because she believed him.

Without hesitation.

Without doubt.

Years ago, that certainty would have meant everything.

Now it simply felt... peaceful.

"I know."

This time it was Liam's turn to be surprised.

"You do?"

"Yes."

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"I know."

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Liam laughed quietly.

A genuine laugh.

That showed he was relieved.

And for the first time all day, both of them felt a little lighter.

Unfortunately, neither realized the scandal was only beginning.

Because while Liam was busy protecting Judith...

Someone else was busy making things much worse.

And her name was Sophie Bennett.

Not because she created the scandal.

But because she was finally reaching the end of her patience.