The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 48: Back From The Dead

Aria’s pov

Before I could process what was going on,the boardroom doors flung open, and the chaos hit the room like a wave.

Marcus stormed in sweating"Sir.Ma’am we have get you out of her now"

I lurched from my seat and made my way to the boardroom door, Lucian following my every step. Flashing cameras exploded in our faces the moment we stepped into the hallway coupled with shouting reporters that surged forward and thrust microphones towards us like weapons, their voices overlapping in a deafening roar.

"Mrs. Voss! Is it true you and your husband orchestrated the stock crash that happened weeks ago?"

"Mr. Voss! Are you stepping down as CEO?"

"Aria! Did Ethan Caldwell really kidnap you or is this all a cover-up to thwart the attention of the press from this scandal?"

The security team led by Marcus tried to push them back, but the crowd was relentless. Lights from the clicking cameras blinded me and Marcus tried to cover my face with a scarf but I refused to hide. I straightened my spine and kept walking beside Lucian whose hand found the small of my back. "Stay close," he murmured, voice low enough for only me to hear. "You can go with Marcus.Let me handle the press."

I shook my head, gripping the side of his suit. "No Lucian.I’m not hiding behind you anymore like some weakling. This is my fight too."

He glanced at me, jaw tight, but he didn’t argue. At least he has learnt not to do so recently and that counts for something.

His hand stayed on my back as we pushed through the swarm.

"Mrs. Voss! Are you the majority shareholder now because you married Lucian or because you stole the shares?"

The question stung, but I kept my head high.

We finally made it to a private conference room down the hall. Clara was already inside with two lawyers from the legal department with their tablets and documents spread across the table.

The door clicked shut behind us, cutting off the noise like a guillotine.

Clara was pacing around the room. She looked exhausted and scared at the same time. I have come to know her as one who paid attention to her appearance but today she looked like hell.

"What’s the situation Clara?"Lucian asked as he took his seat after helping me with mine.

Clara went spiraling "The SEC inquiry has started and for some reason someone is releasing statements and files online saying that you are responsible for the stock market manipulation and kidnapping of Miss Aria which to me sounds ridiculous. Cause who kidnaps their wife?"

She took a short pause,then she stole a glance from me then Lucian before continuing. "The anonymous account is also saying that Miss Aria’s crash was deliberate and orchestrated by you sir."

One of the lawyers nodded grimly. "We’re looking at possible arrest warrants within hours. The board as you know is still demanding an emergency vote to remove Lucian as CEO and some directors are turning on him, fearing the SEC will freeze assets. The only thing saving your seat is Miss Aria’s majority vote."

I relaxed into the chair as I let all the chaos sink in. Just maybe ,for a single moment all this will be over and Ethan will be gone for good but I guess that’s not happening now.

"Like you said,I’m the majority shareholder and I believe that will keep our board problem in a pause if I use my shares to block any move to remove Lucian.

So I suggest we issue a public statement immediately that will reveal the kidnapping attempt. It’s the anonymous accounts’ words against us. Let the SEC come,they don’t have any tangible evidence aside from the rubbish spewed by that account right?"

The lawyers exchanged glances before responding with a nod while Clara gave me a surprised look.

Lucian stood behind me, one hand on my shoulder. "She’s right. Let’s issue a public statement as a company. Remaining silent can be perceived as guilt."

Clara nodded and started typing. "I’ll draft it now. We can release it within the hour.

As the lawyers and Clara worked, Lucian pulled me aside into a small alcove off the conference room. The moment the door closed, his mask cracked. He held my face gently, thumbs brushing my cheeks.

"Aria," he whispered. "I’m terrified of losing you. Not just to Ethan this time but to prison and this whole mess I dragged you into. If they arrest me or you..."

I placed my good hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat racing under my palm. " You vowed you’d burn everything down before letting him win. This is not the time for you to be weak or for you to shiver.Just take this as a phase that will soon pass."

He pulled me into his arms, careful of my injuries and kissed me desperately .When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine.

"I love you," he muttered. "More than anything."

"I love you too. And we’re not going down without a fight." I replied sternly.

We returned to the conference room just as Clara finished the draft.

"The statement is ready now. I need your go ahead to release it" Clara said,bringing her laptop forward so we could see the contents of the statement.

"Yeah this is good," Lucian replied.

"We have another problem sir"

"What is it again Clara?" Lucian snapped, visibly exhausted and on edge from all that was going on.

Clara became shaky as she spoke,one could tell she was trying so hard not to poke another nerve." It’s the FBI sir,they called while you were away. They’re inviting you for some questioning. Apparently they’re also interested in the case as it is a matter of fraud and national security."

As we left the boardroom later that morning, my phone buzzed with a news alert."

"That’s just perfect! When is this?" Lucian asked.

"Tomorrow..."

Before Clara could finish, Lucian grabbed my hand and let me out the door.

Marcus was standing in front with an exciting look. "Ma’am. The hospital just called. Andre is awake"