Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 276

Chapter 276: Chaos at Vintage Cellar
Vintage Cellar.

Aurora had barely stepped out of her car before the frenzy began.

Flashes of cameras exploded in her face, and a deafening wave of voices crashed over her. The swarm of reporters, journalists, and paparazzi pressed forward like a hungry tide, their microphones and recording devices stretched toward her as they shouted over one another.

“Mrs. Scott! Is it true that Stella Swift murdered the former chairman?”

“Aurora! Do you have any comments on your mother’s crimes?”

“Why did your stepmother kill your father? Does it have anything to do with inheritance?”

“How does this affect your position in Vintage Cellar?”

Aurora’s heart pounded as she instinctively shielded her stomach, tightening her grip around herself as she ducked her head. Her bodyguards moved swiftly, flanking her sides and forming a protective barrier as they pushed through the chaos.

“Step aside! Make way!” one of the security personnel barked, his voice slicing through the chaos.

The flashing lights, the pressing bodies, the suffocating questions—it was overwhelming, but Aurora kept her expression cold and composed.

Vintage Cellar’s private security had already been dispatched, and within moments, they cleared a path for her. As she made it through the glass doors of the building, the noise dulled behind her.

Aurora let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She knew this situation and uncalled attention were far from over, but it was a good thing that Xander foresaw this and made arrangements to protect her.

—

Minutes later, Stephanie arrived at the company’s front entrance and met with the same merciless barrage of reporters.

“Chairwoman Swift, is it true that your sister-in-law killed your brother?”

“Where lies Mrs. Swift’s fate? What kind of judgement will she face?”

“How will Vintage Cellar recover from this scandal?”

“Do you have anything to say to the shareholders?”

Stephanie’s expression was unreadable, her sharp eyes cutting through the crowd. She didn’t say a word.

The security team swiftly blocked off the reporters, forming a shield around her as they guided her inside.

The moment she entered the grand lobby, Stephanie exhaled sharply, adjusting the cuff of her blazer before turning to her secretary.

“Call for an emergency board meeting. Every executive and director must be in attendance within the hour.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Stephanie’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode towards the elevators. If the media thought Vintage Cellar was going to crumble over this scandal, they were in for a rude awakening.

Vintage Cellar was like a child to her. Together with her late brother, they built the wine company up from nothing. And she would make sure that no scandal, no matter how big it was, would be able to take down her fruitful labour.

—

The conference room buzzed with tension. Seated around the long, polished table were Vintage Cellar’s top executives, directors, and key stakeholders, their expressions ranging from concern to outright panic.

Stephanie sat at the head of the table, her presence commanding. Aurora was seated to her right, her posture poised yet stiff.

“Let’s not waste time,” Stephanie began, her tone cool and controlled. “We all know why we’re here. The company is under siege from the press, our stocks are plummeting, and public confidence is shaken. We need solutions. Immediately.”

There were murmurs of agreement.

One of the senior directors, Mr. Caldwell, leaned forward, his expression grim. “With all due respect, Chairwoman, before we discuss solutions, we need clarity. Is it true? Did Stella Swift assassinate our former chairman?”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Everyone in the room stilled their breath and fixed their gazes on Stephanie, waiting for an answer from her.

Stephanie’s expression didn’t change, but there was a weight behind her gaze. “I am afraid that she does have a hand in my brother’s murder,” she admitted, her voice firm. “But the police will sort the truth out. That is not our concern right now.”

Low murmurs rippled through the boardroom. Some exchanged uneasy glances while others whispered among themselves.

Stephanie raised a hand, immediately silencing them.

“Our priority is Vintage Cellar,” she continued. Not directly tagging Stella, her brother’s murderer, was on purpose. “We need to act fast to contain the damage. Any suggestions?” she inquired, her gaze taking in everyone’s expression.

The room erupted into debates.

Some argued that a press conference was necessary—to clear the air, to reassure investors, to take control of the narrative. Others disagreed, insisting that speaking to the press would only fan the flames and invite more scrutiny.

Aurora listened quietly as the discussion grew more heated. Everyone’s answers made sense from different angles, and it led her into a deep thought. Then, after a moment, she spoke.

“I have a suggestion.”

Almost immediately, all eyes turned to her.

Aurora sat up straighter, her voice calm but firm. “From today onwards, Stella’s court case and appearances should be kept under wraps. No more leaks to the press. No more updates on her legal proceedings. If we allow this to remain a public spectacle, the company will fall apart.”

A few directors exchanged glances, contemplating her words.

“She’s right,” another executive agreed. “The more they dig into this case, the worse it gets for us. If we cut off their source of information, the media storm will die down eventually.”

Stephanie tapped a manicured nail against the table, deep in thought. Then, she gave a slow nod. “I will speak to the Chief Inspector of Police and ensure that no further details of the case get leaked.”

There were murmurs of agreement, followed by nods from various members.

Stephanie leaned forward, her gaze sharp. “Then it’s settled. All advertisements for our products are to be halted. No media interaction until further notice. We operate in silence and let the market stabilise. And there won’t be a press conference. For now.”

With a final glance around the table, she added, “Make no mistake—Vintage Cellar will survive this. But only if we act wisely.”

With that, the meeting was adjourned.