At AJ Law Firm, chaos broke out at the front entrance. Protesters had gathered, shouting insults and waving signs:
"NO MARRIAGE WITH A GOLD DIGGER!"
"VERA OUT!"
Security struggled to hold them back. Inside, the tension seeped into the offices.
Bianca, watching updates about Bella online, suddenly doubled over. A sharp, stabbing pain tore through her lower abdomen.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, clutching her stomach. Cold sweat broke across her forehead.
Colleagues rushed to her side. "Mrs. Smith stay with me!" one urged, tapping her cheek.
Then came the blood. Dark, sudden, pooling on the polished floor.
"Oh my God!" another gasped. Panic set in. Bianca's legs buckled, and she fainted into her coworker's arms.
"Get the car! NOW!" her colleague barked. He scooped her up bridal-style and sprinted outside. Within seconds, she was laid across the backseat, another staffer sliding in to cradle her head while the driver floored the accelerator toward the hospital.
"Lady B, stay with me," her coworker pleaded, but she was limp, pale, slipping deeper.
Back at the law firm's entrance, the PR director stepped out, immaculate in a dark suit, eyes like steel. His voice boomed across the crowd.
"You've gathered at the wrong place. This is not just a firm—it is the most powerful law firm in Europe. And you think you can storm our gates?" He scanned the protesters one by one. "We have video evidence of every single face here. Be ready to answer for emotional trauma, damages, and harassment."
His words sliced through them. Fear rippled the mob. Within minutes, the so-called protest scattered like dry leaves in a storm.
At Hampson International, cameras camped outside, unaware Chris had slipped in half an hour earlier through a rarely used underground exit. Few even knew the tunnel existed.
In his office, Chris paced with Elliot. His anger was ice, his mind already drawing battle lines.
"I'm done playing defense," Chris said flatly. "We'll make examples of them."
"How, sir?" Elliot asked carefully.
"Pick twenty of the worst offenders. Get their IPs, real names, whatever it takes. File lawsuits public, messy, and fast. They'll pay for every word they wrote about Bella."
"Yes, sir."
"And schedule a press conference for 3 p.m. Every major outlet. I'll address this myself." Chris snatched up his phone and bag. "Before that, I'm going to Bella."
Elliot's phone buzzed. He answered. Cyrus' voice was clipped and urgent.
"Kelvin reported trouble at the Walter residence. Some haters went there this morning did unspeakable things to her mum and brothers. I've deployed fifty men to secure the place."
Elliot's jaw tightened. "Understood. I'll tell the boss."
He hung up. "Sir... it's the Walters. The haters reached them."
Chris' eyes darkened, fury rippling just beneath his calm exterior. Driving himself would've been dangerous in that state, so he ordered George.
Minutes later, Chris slid into the back of the sleek black car. "To Walter's residence. Now."
At the Walter home, Bella stood frozen in the wreckage. Their gate vandalized. Eggs and paint smeared against walls. Harsh words sprayed across the fence: SLUT, GOLD DIGGER, GO BACK TO THE GUTTER.
Tears blurred her vision. She collapsed to her knees before her mother.
"I'm sorry, Mum. I'm sorry, this is all my fault." Her sobs shook her small frame. "Why do I only bring scandal into this house?"
Vera knelt, pulling her daughter close. "Shhh, my darling. None of this is your fault."
"Yes it is," Bella choked. "I've ruined your peace. Even Kay and Jay last time, you couldn't even leave home without whispers."
Her brothers exchanged a look. Kayden stepped forward, then Jayden followed, and soon all three wrapped Bella in a tight group hug.
"You're not alone," Kayden murmured. "Stop blaming yourself."
The tears slowed, though Bella's heart remained heavy. She wiped her face and turned on the TV, desperate for answers. Every entertainment channel screamed their names. Headlines blazed:
CHRISTIAN HAMPSON AND BELLA WALTER: SECRET ROMANCE CONFIRMED?
Clips, stills, and speculation filled the screen. Bella's hands trembled.
"Is it really that bad... just to love him?" she whispered.
Then, a breaking ticker rolled across the bottom of the broadcast:
HAMPSON INTERNATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE: 3:00PM TODAY. CEO TO SPEAK.
Bella's chest tightened. Chris... he's going to face them all.
"Has he called you?" Vera asked.
"Yes. He sent George to pick me from Lillian's this morning," Bella replied softly.
Vera exhaled, preparing to retreat to her room. "Alright, I'll clean up and change out of these filthy clothes."
But before she could take a step, the TV anchor's voice cut back in tone sharp, urgent.
"BREAKING NEWS just reaching us..."
The Walters froze. Bella's blood ran cold.
The morning headlines exploded with chaos. Among them was a disturbing video: protesters storming AJ Law Firm while staff rushed Bianca out in a pool of blood.
Bella froze as the footage played on the TV. Her stomach dropped, her breathing quickened.
"Oh my God. Oh my God." She whispered, panic overtaking her. She fumbled for her phone and immediately dialed Austin.
He picked up on the second ring, voice heavy with worry. He knew why she was calling.
"Where is she?" Bella blurted out before he could speak.
"Precidal Hospital," he answered.
That was all she needed. She grabbed for her boots, not even bothering to change out of the clothes from last night's dinner with Chris. Her heart pounded as she bolted out the door.
Reporters swarmed her instantly. Cameras flashed, microphones shoved in her face.
"Miss Walter, is the dating rumour true between you and Mr Hampson?"
"Miss Bella, are you only with him for money?"
"Did you get your job at Hampson Airways because of his influence?"
"Miss Walter, what's your relationship with Neil—are you double-dating?"
Questions hurled like knives. Bella kept her head down, forcing her way through the crowd, guarded by Chris' security detail.
Then a sleek black car pulled up. Chris had arrived.
The reporters shifted, rushing toward his vehicle. But their boldness faltered. None dared crowd him as they had with Bella. His presence radiated danger.
Chris stepped out, his jaw clenched, his eyes cold fire. He took in the chaos: broken eggshells on the ground, flour scattered across the gate, the faint smell of vandalism. Fury curled his fists.
He strode straight to Bella, shrugging off his jacket and draping it around her trembling shoulders. Without a word, he guided her to the car. Before getting in himself, he turned sharply to the press.
"It seems I've been far too lenient with you," he said, his voice low but commanding. The crowd fell silent instantly. "You dare harass those connected to me? Listen carefully. I already called a press conference for 3 p.m. That is where you should be not here."
His glare cut through them like glass.
"If I find even one of you loitering near Miss Walter or her family again, be prepared to deal with me personally." He slammed the door behind him, the sound echoing like thunder.
The journalists said nothing. Not one question, not one challenge.
Inside, Bella sat curled against the seat, her face blotchy and swollen from crying. Chris' heart cracked at the sight. He reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. She buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing silently as his hand stroked her hair.
Chris felt his own eyes sting. He didn't even notice the tear that slid down his cheek until he wiped it quickly away. He wouldn't let her see. Not now.
By the time George pulled into Precidal Hospital, Bella had cried herself nearly dry. She was exhausted, her breaths shallow.
As soon as the car stopped, she pushed the door open and ran. Chris and George followed close behind.
"I'm here to see my best friend—Mrs Bianca Smith!" Bella's voice shook as she reached the ER desk. The nurse directed her quickly.
She burst into Bianca's ward. Austin, Tatiana, and Bianca's father, Ademide, were already inside. The steady beep of the monitor filled the room. Oxygen tubes lined Bianca's face, IV fluids dripping steadily into her arm.
Bella staggered forward, the sight hitting her like a blow. Her legs nearly gave way, but Chris caught her from behind.
"H-how is she?" Bella stammered, her eyes locked on her best friend.
"She's stable now," Austin said gently.
"And the baby?" Her voice cracked, almost breaking.
"The baby is safe too. They're both okay."
Relief washed over Bella in a trembling sigh. She stepped closer, reaching for Bianca's hand.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, pressing a kiss against her friend's fingers. Tears burned her eyes again, but her body was too drained to let them fall.
Chris stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder, steadying her anchoring her while the storm outside continued to rage.