Novel & Cerita Katulong Scandal

“This is it, Elara. Once this goes live, there’s no turning back.” Elara nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. “I’m ready.” At exactly 9:00 a.m., the article was published. The headline was bold and damning: "The Puppet Master: How Daniel Stokes Orchestrated One of the Biggest Financial Scandals in History" The article laid everything bare—Stokes’s involvement with Lydia and Cassia, the shell companies, the fraudulent deals, the manipulation of the Hawthorne family fortune. It was a masterclass in investigative journalism, meticulously detailing every step of the conspiracy and exposing the true scope of the corruption that had destroyed Elara’s life.

I said, my voice dangerously low, “and you’ll regret it.” Maxwell must have seen the warning in my eyes because, for once, he didn’t push further. He exhaled dramatically, then said, “Fine. Let’s be clear, then. Grandfather heard the rumors—rumors that you’ve taken a mistress one with a husband, well just like someone we are familiar with. He found out hours ago, and it upset him so much that it landed him in this hospital bed. Happy?” Maxwell finished with a look of distaste on his face, and I clenched my jaw.

Matteo handed me a burner phone. “Watch.” So I did. News stations were already lighting up social media. The leaks worked. Headlines shouted: “VETRA SCANDAL: POLITICAL BLACKMAIL RING EXPOSED” “CHILDREN USED AS LEVERAGE: DE LUCA FAMILY IMPLICATED” “KONSTANTIN VOLKOV LINKED TO HUMAN INTEL TRAFFICKING NETWORK” Faces. Names. Files. All of it. Live. My chest rose and fell, not with fear—but with satisfaction.

But part of me missed him too. Not just the man, but the way he looked at Lara—as if she were his own. The way he held me when I thought I’d fall apart. The television was on low volume. A breaking news banner suddenly caught my attention. “Breaking: Montenegro CEO Confirms Fraud Scandal Within Company—Names Michael De Leon and Sofia Hales as Masterminds Behind Malicious Attacks on Staff and Family.” My heart stopped.

But inside, something was twisting, turning, folding in on itself. The television was on low in the background. I wasn’t listening. Not until I heard my name. “—Walter Blackwood and Kaia Whitmore—under scrutiny in what could be one of the most high-profile financial scandals of the last decade. The leak—now verified by two independent sources—connects both parties to illegal offshore wire transfers, labor violations, and the misappropriation of charitable funds…” The mug in my hand slipped and shattered against the marble floor. I didn’t even flinch.

She stood up and stepped out onto the balcony to take the call. It was Madam Han. Before she and her husband left the city, she wanted to see Chloe one last time. They struck a deal: Chloe would pick them up early tomorrow morning and take them to the racing circuit. Both the Hans were fanatics for racing and shooting—the very hobbies that had allowed Chloe and Liam Martin to win them over in the past. After hanging up, Chloe scrolled through her news feed. The "hospital scandal" had taken a massive, 180-degree turn. Dr. Julian Lang’s dark history had been broadcast to the world. Video evidence of him harassing female patients was everywhere, and several nurses had come forward to testify ag

"What's actually happening?" Randy, standing right next to Arianna, reached for his phone from his jacket pocket. Opening the online news feature, he then showed one of the headline news that was currently being discussed. "Read this," he requested, handing her his phone. Arianna glanced at it, scrutinizing the news, then read what was written there one by one. "Prominent businessman Samuel Walters involved in a scandalous contract marriage with one of his secretaries." "For the sake of huge profits, Samuel Walters deliberately deceived Pakuwon Group with various intrigues."

The night ended with a heavy feeling of a thickened atmosphere after a confronting and revelation night, and things got even worse and more complicated than they had ever been. However, the next morning was clear with a bright morning of great things to expect, and the first news that aired as headlines through so many media houses was a billionaire scandal; Ethan Walton's lady? The news was accompanied by backup evidence of his picture taken in a hallway, and a lady that he was in a compromised position with in the news. Who was she?!

“You’ve been seeing the news?” I smirked, stretching my arms over the back of my seat. “Hard to miss it.” Matteo let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “They’re tearing Marco apart.” I grabbed my phone off the table, lazily scrolling through the headlines. They were exactly what I wanted to see. “Marco De Luca Scandal: Leaked Photos Shake Billionaire’s Empire.” “From Business Tycoon to Cheating Scumbag: Marco De Luca’s Fall from Grace.”

“Both.” “Thank you. You must have said good things about me.” “I only told him the truth.” He shrugs. “Still, that means a lot. How's the book going?” I ask, and he lets out a long breath. “Sorry I asked.” “It’s fine. I’m going in circles with it.” Alex helped the government unmask the TWC scandal. The telecommunications company made 4.2 billion fraudulent entries to inflate revenue through fake unallocated revenue accounts—all in a scheme to make the company appear to be doing better than it truly was.