The Devil Who Claimed Me

Chapter 167: The scandal.

Lara lunged at him again, her hand shooting upward to deliver another slap.

This time, Max caught her wrist before it could land. His expression darkened instantly.

"You dared to hit me?"

Lara didn’t back down. She met his gaze head-on, fire blazing in her eyes.

"I’ll do it again." Her lips curled with contempt. "You filthy mongrel."

She jerked her chin upward. "Just wait. I’ll destroy your reputation."

Her words only fueled his rage.

His grip tightened around her wrist until his nails dug into her skin. "You have no idea who you are messing with," he hissed. "I can make you disappear without leaving a single trace."

Mila’s heart dropped. Fear shot through her. She couldn’t allow Lara to get dragged into this because of her.

"Let her go, Max," she snapped. "Or I’ll call the police."

Max turned sharply toward her. Disbelief flashed across his face.

"What?" His voice rose. "You are taking her side? Over your husband?"

"Husband?" Lara laughed mockingly.

She shoved him away. "You don’t deserve to be called her husband."

Max’s eyes burned with fury. "Say one more word," he growled, "and I’ll rip your tongue out."

"If you don’t leave right now," Mila said coldly, lifting her phone, "I’m making the call."

Her breathing was uneven from fear and anger. "I’ll report everything you just did."

Max’s jaw clenched so hard it looked as though it might crack.

"Leave," Mila shouted. "Now."

For a brief moment, it looked as though he might attack again. But reason finally prevailed.

The last thing he needed was police involvement. His eyes swept over the two women.

Hatred twisted his features. "This isn’t over."

He stormed out.

The front door slammed shut behind him with a thunderous bang.

Silence followed.

A dangerous glint flashed across Lara’s eyes.

"No." She folded her arms. "It’s far from over."

Her voice dripped with venom. "I’ll make him regret ever laying a finger on you."

Mila immediately rushed over. "Lara, are you okay?"

Concern filled her eyes. "He didn’t hurt you, did he?"

Lara’s expression softened. "I’m fine."

Then a slow smile appeared on her face. "But your so-called husband won’t be."

She lifted her phone. "I’ve got something interesting to show you."

Mila looked at the screen. Her eyes widened.

Several photographs filled the display—Max drinking intimately with another woman.

Lara swiped again.

More photographs appeared. The two of them were entering a hotel together.

Mila froze.

These were the exact photographs Dominic had shown her the previous night. ’How did Lara get these?’

A flicker of suspicion crossed her face. ’Did Dominic send them?’

"He cheated on you," Lara said before Mila could speak. "He spent the night with a hooker."

She zoomed in on one of the photos. "And he took her straight to a hotel."

Mila stared at the screen. "How did you get these?"

Lara smirked. Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice dramatically.

"Someone wants him destroyed."

Mila narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"

"It means exactly what I said." Lara shrugged. "The photos were sent anonymously. And the sender included a message."

Her smile widened as she quoted, "Destroy him."

Mila nearly gasped. At that moment, she became certain.

Only Dominic would strike this precisely.

"I’ll expose that bastard," Lara declared confidently. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "I’ll write an article so explosive that he’ll never recover from it. He won’t dare look at you again."

Mila lowered her gaze. A strange sadness settled in her chest.

There was a time when she had admired Max and trusted him. She used to think that he was a good man and believed he would keep his promises.

How foolish she had been.

In the end, the man she trusted had tried to hurt her child.

Her hand instinctively moved to her belly. The last shred of sympathy disappeared from her heart.

"Expose him." Her voice was calm. "I want this marriage over as soon as possible."

Lara grinned. "I’ve already spoken with a lawyer."

She squeezed Mila’s hand. "You’ll be free very soon."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following day, Lara’s explosive article detonated like a bomb across the city.

The Bellini family’s hidden scandals, Luke’s favoritism toward his illegitimate son, the battle for inheritance, and Max’s infidelity—every secret was laid bare.

The internet erupted.

’Luke Bellini chose his illegitimate son over his legitimate children? That’s disgusting.’

’I feel sorry for his wife. She deserves better.’

’What are Matteo and Felix Bellini doing? How can they tolerate this?’

’The person I pity the most is Dr. Mila.’

’Her husband cheated on her while she was pregnant.’

’Max Bellini is trash.’

’She should divorce him immediately.’

’Protect Dr. Mila.’

Public outrage intensified with every passing hour.

Meanwhile, reporters swarmed outside the Vega mansion like hungry wolves. News vans lined the streets. Cameras pointed toward the gates.

Everyone wanted a statement.

Hours later, Mila finally stepped outside.

The crowd exploded into motion. Microphones were thrust toward her. Camera flashes lit up the street.

"Dr. Mila. Do you have anything to say about your husband’s scandal?"

"Did you know he was cheating on you?"

"Are you filing for divorce?"

"Will Dr. Max Bellini remain part of your research team?"

Mila stood calmly amid the chaos. Her posture was straight, her expression composed. There was not a hint of panic on her face.

"I have already sent the divorce papers." Her voice carried clearly through the crowd. "And Dr. Max Bellini will no longer serve as team leader."

More gasps followed.

She lifted her chin proudly. "Effective immediately, Dr. Grant will take over leadership of the research team."

The reporters erupted into another frenzy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the Bellini Corporation headquarters...

Crash...

A file slammed against the wall. Documents were scattered across the floor.

Luke stood behind his desk, breathing heavily.

His face was red with fury.

The scandal had devastated the company’s stock price. Millions had vanished within hours. Investors were panicking. Partners were already demanding explanations.

Luke glared at Dominic. "Who did this?" he roared. "Find them."

His fists slammed onto the desk. "Now. I want that reporter punished personally."

Dominic remained perfectly calm. Not a single emotion crossed his face. "I don’t recommend that."

Luke’s eyes widened. "What?"

"If you target the reporter," Dominic said coolly, "the entire media industry will turn against the Bellini family."

Luke nearly exploded. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

His voice echoed through the office. "She dragged my family through the mud."

Dominic folded his hands behind his back. "The public is furious. The stock price is still falling. Investors are losing confidence. If this continues, our partners may start pulling out."

Luke’s face darkened. "Then fix it." His teeth ground together. "Delete the photos. Remove the article. Do something."

"I already ordered the IT department to take down the photos," Dominic replied. "But it’s too late."

His tone was merciless. "Millions of people have already seen them. The damage is done."

Luke’s fists trembled. For the first time, genuine panic flickered across his face. "What do you suggest?"

A long silence followed.

When Dominic finally opened his mouth, his tone was cold. "Remove Max Bellini as your successor."

Luke stiffened.

Dominic’s gaze remained unwavering. "Disown him."