Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 182

Chapter 182: Threats

The air in the Vintage Cellar conference room was heavy with tension as department heads, directors, and senior management settled into their seats.

Stephanie, seated at the head of the long table, exuded an aura of authority that silenced any murmurs. At the centre of today’s emergency meeting was one person—Olivia.

Her LIVE stream debacle had stirred the internet into a frenzy, dragging Vintage Cellar’s name through the mud. Everyone was here to discuss the fallout.

Stephanie tapped a pen against her notebook, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Olivia. “Let’s begin.”

—

“Olivia,” Stephanie started, her voice measured, “we gave you the opportunity to promote your Spraying Champagne and prove its worth. Instead, you’ve done the opposite.”

Olivia sat up straighter in her chair, her hands clasped tightly on the table. “I’ve done nothing wrong,” she said through gritted teeth. “Someone is clearly trying to sabotage me.”

A senior director scoffed. “And who, exactly, do you think is trying to sabotage you?”

Olivia’s gaze flicked to Aurora, her lips curling into a bitter smile. “I’m still investigating that,” she replied.

Aurora met her gaze with calm resolve, her voice cutting through the tension. “Vintage Cellar doesn’t have the luxury of time to wait for your investigations, Olivia. The company’s stock is plummeting, and the hashtags calling for Spraying Champagne’s discontinuation are gaining momentum.”

“What are you implying?” Olivia shot back, her tone sharp. “That we should bow to pressure from people who don’t understand the vision behind my product?”

Another executive chimed in, frustration evident. “You shouldn’t have gone on a LIVE podcast to discuss your champagne’s so-called ‘secret.’ What were you expecting?”

A younger director nodded in agreement. “Are you waiting for our stocks to hit rock bottom before admitting defeat?”

Olivia’s jaw tightened, her fists balled under the table. She opened her mouth to retort, but Stephanie raised a hand, commanding silence.

“Enough,” Stephanie said firmly, her gaze pinning Olivia in place. “Your second chance has expired. After careful deliberation, the board and I have decided to discontinue Spraying Champagne, effective immediately.”

The declaration hit Olivia like a physical blow. Her chest tightened as anger and humiliation warred within her. But there was nothing she could do. Stephanie continued speaking, unaffected by the storm brewing inside Olivia.

“Now,” Stephanie said, shifting her attention to the rest of the room, “we’ll move on to discuss the release of Fruit Punch Champagne’s citrus flavour this Friday. The advertisements are ready and will be launched this afternoon.”

The marketing head nodded. “We’ve secured prime billboard spots and social media placements to ensure maximum visibility. Additionally, we’ll be sending out bottles to our investors and top customers this evening.”

Olivia clenched her fists tighter, her nails digging into her palms as jealousy and rage consumed her. Her product had just been axed, and now everyone was enthusiastically discussing how to promote Aurora’s. It was unbearable.

The meeting concluded with Stephanie issuing a few more directives. Olivia couldn’t wait to leave. She bolted out of the room, but her escape was short-lived as Aurora followed her into the hallway.

“Olivia,” Aurora called, her calm tone laced with steel.

Olivia stopped and turned, her eyes blazing. “What do you want? Come to gloat?”

Aurora shook her head, her expression unreadable. “I’m here to warn you,” she said evenly. “Keep my name out of your mouth. Don’t drag me into your mess.”

Without waiting for a response, Aurora turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Olivia standing in the hallway, stunned and seething.

—

By evening, Vintage Cellar released an official statement addressing the discontinuation of Spraying Champagne. The announcement cited poor sales and a commitment to maintaining the company’s reputation as reasons for the decision.

The statement ended on a high note, promoting the upcoming release of Fruit Punch Champagne’s citrus flavour, calling it a “sizzling goodness” that consumers could look forward to.

—

The Swift’s Family’s Private Residence.

Later that evening, Stephanie returned home, exhausted but satisfied. She barely had time to remove her shoes before Stella, sitting in the living room, pounced on her.

“What is the meaning of that announcement?” Stella demanded, her voice sharp. “How dare you discontinue my daughter’s champagne without my consent?”

Stephanie set her bag down calmly and met Stella’s furious gaze. “What you read in the announcement is exactly what happened, so stop asking stupid questions,” she replied.

Stella stood, her face twisted with rage. “Who do you think you are? You have no right to make such a decision!”

Stephanie’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, I have every right. If you understood the damage your daughter has caused this company, you’d realize I’m being generous by not letting the entire board vote her out.”

Stella’s face turned red. “Mark my words, Stephanie. Your days as chairwoman and CEO are numbered.”

Stephanie chuckled, unfazed. “Do whatever you like, Stella. I’ll be waiting here.” She was truly confident that Stella couldn’t do anything to her.

—

Meanwhile, in a sleek black car making its way through Wing City, Xander sat in the backseat, his expression pensive. Liam, seated in the front passenger seat, answered a call.

“Yes,” Liam said into the phone. After a brief conversation, he turned to Xander. “Our team has secured the evidence: the transaction receipt and the recorded confession.”

Xander nodded, his jaw tightening with resolve. “Good. It’s time for me to see the waiter’s wife myself.”

Liam glanced at the chauffeur. “To the safe house.”

“Yes, sir,” the chauffeur replied, adjusting the GPS.

—

An hour later, the sleek black car pulled into the secure driveway of the safe house, guarded by men in black suits with sharp eyes scanning the area for threats.

Liam stepped out swiftly and opened the door for Xander. Emerging with a composed yet commanding presence, Xander adjusted his suit jacket, his icy aura making even the guards stiffen.

“This way, sir,” Liam said, leading him inside.

The house’s interior was sparse but fortified. Xander sat on the lone armchair at the center of the sitting area, while Liam stood beside him, signalling a guard to proceed.

Moments later, the guard returned with another escorting the waiter’s wife, a baby bundled protectively in her arms. Her wary eyes darted around as she hesitated before sitting across from Xander, clutching her child tightly.

Liam signalled another guard, who handed him a brown envelope. Liam opened it, revealing its contents: a printed receipt, a copy of a bank statement, and a small pen recorder. He carefully examined each item before walking over to Xander and handing them to him one by one.

Xander reviewed each item with calculating eyes before pressing play on the recorder. As the recording ended, Xander handed the items back to Liam.

Finally, he fixed his cold gaze on the woman. She flinched slightly, but held his stare, trembling under the weight of his commanding presence.

“You and I have the same goal,” Xander began, his voice cold and steady. “To see Stella Swift brought to justice. But that requires your full cooperation.”

The woman nodded quickly, her grip on her baby tightening. “I will do whatever you need me to. Just… just promise me that my child and I will be safe.”

Xander leaned forward slightly, his intense gaze locking onto hers. “As long as you keep your end of the bargain, you and your child will be protected. But if you even think about backing out or betraying me, there will be consequences.”

The hidden threat in his words sent a chill down her spine. She nodded frantically, her voice barely a whisper. “I understand.”

“Good,” Xander said, leaning back and allowing a small, almost imperceptible smile to cross his lips. “We have a deal.”

Rising, he adjusted his suit and nodded to Liam. “Let’s go.”

—

Xander’s Private Residence.

Aurora returned home and asked about Xander. Nene informed her that he was on his way home.

“I will be upstairs,” Aurora told Nene before turning into the hallway. Once she got to her bedroom, she grabbed her phone from her bag and went straight to her call long before dialling her Aunt’s number.

After a few rings, Stephanie answered. “Aurora? Is something wrong? We just saw each other earlier.”

Aurora let out a soft sigh. “There’s a slight problem, Aunt Stephanie.”

“What is it?” Stephanie’s voice held a mix of curiosity and concern.

Aurora hesitated before speaking. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I want to petition for my father’s murder case to be reopened and reinvestigated.”

The other end of the line went silent for a moment. “Aurora,” Stephanie said cautiously, “that case was closed because there were no leads after the waiter’s death. Why now?”

“I need closure,” Aurora admitted, her voice tinged with emotion. “I know reopening the case could bring complications, but… I can’t let my father’s killer go unpunished.”

Stephanie sighed heavily. “Aurora, I understand your feelings, but reopening this case could flip the company upside down. It could damage our reputation.”

“I’ve thought about that,” Aurora replied. “But… there’s new evidence. Something that could lead us to the truth.”

There was another pause. Stephanie’s voice lowered, concern evident. “Aurora, you sound like you know something. What are you not telling me?”